SACP on COVID-19 vaccine: ‘Our people first before profits’

Just a month before a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to land on South African shores, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has taken aim at pharmaceutical companies only seeking to cash in big time, in the wake of the pandemic.

The SACP’s general-secretary Blade Nzimande delivered the keynote address at the party’s 26th commemoration of former leader Joe Slovo on Wednesday, 6 January 2021.

“We want to welcome the stance taken by the World Health Organisation to make the Covid-19 vaccine a global public good rather than a profit-driven imperative,” Nzimande said.

“In our country the government should ensure that the production and/or sourcing of the Covid-19 vaccine is not subordinated to private wealth accumulation interests. There must be no space left for corruption and state capture in the sourcing of the Covid-19 vaccine”

SACP general-secretary Blade Nzimande

Nzimande said like the party’s former general-secretary, they too, must consistently thrive to put their people first before profits.

Many have expressed concern over pharmaceutical giants who stand to make billions in revenue by providing a vaccine – with the main argument being that developing countries, who already have debilitating health systems, may be exploited.

The total cost of a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to set the country back between R5 billion and R20 billion. However government has said it would be turning to the private sector and other aspects of society to help fund the treatment.

‘COVID-19  a threat to our revolution’ – Nzimande

The SACP has lauded President Cyril Ramaphosa for his leadership and response to the pandemic. South Africa has already forked out R327 million towards the World Health Organisation’s COVAX facility, to help secure a vaccine.

“Covid-19 is indeed the most immediate threat to our revolution, to all South Africans and to all the people in our country. We therefore reiterate our support for the Covid-19 preventative measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 28 December,” said Nzimande.

He further acknowledged the devastating impact that the pandemic and subsequent lockdown has had on the country’s economy.

“As we celebrate the life of comrade Joe Slovo, we are in the midst of a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic which is surging with a massive devastation on life and the economy,” he said.