Two French medical experts have been slammed by Africans over comments made about testing coronavirus vaccines first on Africans.
Camille Locht, head of research at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in Lille, in a television show was being interivewed by Jean-Paul Mira, head of intensive care at the Cochin hospital in Paris, on whether Africa offered better conditions for testing the vaccine.
During the televised show, Mira asked Locht that;
If I could be provocative, shouldn’t we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatment, no intensive care, rather as was done with certain studies on AIDS, where things are tested on prostitutes because it’s known that they are highly exposed (to HIV)?. What do you think?
Locht replied;
You’re right, we are thinking in parallel by the way about a study in Africa with the same kind of approach, (but) it doesn’t prevent us from being able to think about a study in Europe and Australia at the same time.
This comments sparked an outrage among Africans and anti-racism groups especially on Twitter.
A French anti-racism NGO, SOS Racisme, issued a statement saying, “No, Africans aren’t guinea pigs” and described the comparison with AIDS and prostitutes as “problematic” and “unwelcome.”
The group added that the comments about making Africans guinea pigs were colonial in nature and unacceptable
The CSA, the ethics watchdog for radio and television in France, told AFP it had received a complaint about the comments by the doctors.
Among those who voiced anger on social media was an association of lawyers in Morocco, which said it planned to file a lawsuit for “racial defamation.”
Cameroonian football star Samuel Eto’o also expressed his anger, saying “Africa is not your playground.”
Didier Drogba also tweeted that;
It is totally inconceivable we keep on cautioning this. Africa isn’t a testing lab.
I would like to vividly denounce those demeaning, false and most of all deeply racists words. Helps us save Africa with the current ongoing Covid 19 and flatten the curve.
Consequently, INSERM in a statement on Twitter said trials would take place in several European countries and Australia, and “Africa should not be forgotten or excluded from research, as the pandemic is global.”
It called the shortened video of the exchange fake news, stating that it was edited to lead to erroneous interpretations.
One of the French Doctors, Mira closed down public access to his Twitter account after receiving what he said were threats and insults.
He told the Huffington Post that he was deeply upset by the accusations made against him, and apologized saying “sorry, if his words had not been clear”.
Doctor Mira added that;
Clinical trials take place everywhere. Less so in Africa. A trial conducted in a local setting could unlock knowledge that could lead to local benefits.
He pointed to the study on sex workers and HIV, “which was done to protect prostitutes in South Africa.”
See some reactions from Twitter below:
These French doctors are discuss how They should come to Africa and Test the Coronavirus Vaccines here. This is heartbreaking and Very Shameful. Racism if you ask me.😣 #AfricansAreNotLabRats #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs
Video|TRT World Now pic.twitter.com/aflkeTgRdr#AfricansAreNot
— GHOST (@Ghost_Ke) April 3, 2020
I need someone to say this in French so that these French FOOLS can understand. You no longer have colonial power over Africa. Africa is now FREE & INDEPENDENT and WE decide what we do here. We are WOKE than ever before. #AfricansAreNotLabRats #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs #COVID19 https://t.co/yFhy8v61qd
— Hustler Jeuri (@HustlerJeuri) April 3, 2020
We reject the suggestion the Bill Gates foundation test this new Corona vaccine in Africa. Italy, US and other European counties are struggling. Let them start there. #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs
— dr jowie.mbengo (@padapido) March 31, 2020
Those people hate us and they don’t even consider us as humans. Why would ‘guess work’ vaccines be tasted in Africa when there are countries like US and Italy which are most affected?? It’s very sad,!! #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs#AfricansAreNotLabRats pic.twitter.com/mf6bycpWPj
— GENERALI KIPROŤICH 🇰🇪 (@ItsKiprotich1) April 4, 2020
Countries with most deaths and infected persons, America, Italy and china but you want to begin vaccine test in Africa.
When would we be treated as equals?
When would the colour of our skin not matter?
I am so angry😡#AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs— Esther Agunbiade ♠️ (@esther_biade) April 4, 2020
2 most stupid pple i have ever seen.
No Wonder Coronavirus is killing them like rats.
The devil is working overtime on their rotten ass lives.
We’re not Primitive nor Brainless.
Respect Africa & Africans.#AfricansAreNotLabRats#AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs
pic.twitter.com/Fjc0wOvsDs— ⚡FOLLOW HELP™⚡ (@ItsWanga) April 3, 2020
I have a Name, Bravin. I’m a Human Being. I am a Homo sapien sapien. I am not a Guinea Pig. I am not a Lab Rat. Being African doesn’t make me a Lesser Human. It makes me a Better Human Being. I say NO to Vaccine Testing In Africa.#AfricansAreNotLabRats #AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs
— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) April 4, 2020
It is very sad that as the world battles this pandemic, some shallow minded doctors in France believe the cure for the virus should first be tested in Africa.
Racism just always rare its ugly head.#AfricansAreNotGuineaPigs #AfricansAreNotLabRats
— ‘Tunde Omotoye (@TundeTASH) April 4, 2020
