The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) has ramped up operations as it gears up to become a global centre of excellence for infectious disease control and a leading provider of sustainable animal health solutions.
Under the stewardship of General Manager Andrew Madeswi, BVI yesterday (Thursday) launched its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan through which it aspires to diversify its product portfolio, ensure sustainable growth and profitability and boost operational efficiency.
According to Madeswi, the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan was founded on the need to align BVI operations with the National Transformation Agenda as a key contributor to economic development and diversification. “As a global player in the manufacture and distribution of antigens, BVI must meet evolving market developments and demands and position itself as a centre of excellence in vaccine research and development,” said Madeswi.
One of BVI’s key strategic goals is “Four for Forty” through which the Institute will reduce over-reliance on foot and mouth (FMD) vaccines and ensure that 40 percent of its total revenue comes from at least four non-FMD products. Another goal is for BVI to develop one of Africa’s biggest antigen banks, which will increase its revenue and reduce delivery lead time to key markets, clients and partners. “This will be achieved by enhancing collaboration with key partners, intensifying in-country Research and Development and obtaining the relevant certifications,” said Madeswi.
The strategy launch comes in the wake of a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BVI and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). The MoU will go a long way in boosting the two institutions’ collaboration in areas of research and development while complementing the fight against trans-boundary diseases and other diseases of public health and socio-economic importance.
Said Madeswi at the signing recently: “BVI is keen to collaborate with esteemed institutions such as BIUST. That commitment is enshrined in our mission, which compels BVI to collaborate with partners to research and manufacture targeted vaccines for the management of infectious diseases regionally and internationally.”
The new mission fits into the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security’s strategic goal of promoting commercialisation and diversification of the agriculture sector. BVI was founded in 1978 with the strategic mandate of ensuring sustainability of Botswana’s beef industry by controlling trans-boundary animal diseases as well as diseases of public health concern.
Through strict adherence to international vaccine standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as well as to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), sound quality management systems and a customer-centric approach, BVI has over the years grown into a global provider of sustainable animal health solutions that produces and exports vaccines to over 15 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
