The first case of the Corona Virus in Subsaharan Africa was diagonised in late January at University of Nigeria, College of Medicine. Since then Universities in Subsaharan Africa have come together to assist in the global response to the pandemic.

Medical reserchers at the University of Nairobi led by Prof. Omu Anzala a senior research scientist at the Institute of Clinical Research, College of Health Sciences have joined the world in search of a vaccine. Prof. Anzala noted their main objective is identifying  candidates for the clinical trials and also to identifying at what point those declared free of the virus stopped spreading it.

Other universities like Kenyatta universities recently unveiled a  prototype ventilator that will sell at a cheaper price. The University will be able to produce 50 ventilators every week. Mt.kenya University and Dedan Kimathi University have also started producing masks and sanitizers.

Apart from research, univesities have also been created public awareness on the virus. The University of Nairobi has been aggresively sensitizing the public through the social media platforms and all college websites. The medical researchers from the College of Health Sciences have also been giving interviews in all the local Tv and radio channels.

Despite all the efforts, most African universities have limited research capacity and resources. G8verments  should therefore offer funding  for basic research and development of research infrastructure needs.