This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
Published on May 8, 2020, the African Union has rejected claims by Tanzania President John Magufuli that Covid-19 test kits are faulty.
According to the African Union, Tanzania and other African states are using test kits supplied by the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in collaboration with the Jack Ma Foundation, which meet international standards.
“Tanzania is using the same test that everyone is using,” said Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa CDC, noting that it was improbable the tests were faulty.
Dr Nkengasong emphasized the importance of co-operation, co-ordination, and collaboration in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that no country in Africa is an island when it comes to dealing with the virus.
Tanzania has been criticized for its sluggish response to the pandemic, with the country implementing few measures to curb the spread of the virus. Social distancing is hardly practised in Tanzania, where mosques and churches remain open.
President Magufuli has suggested praying and herbal steam baths could allegedly help prevent infection, a claim that has attracted criticism from the country’s opposition, which accused the Magufuli government of being secretive.
