Camille Locht and Jean-Paul Mira — two French doctors are facing major backlash and accusations of racism when it became known that one of them proposed that testing of the effects of a tuberculosis vaccine, which could be potentially useful against the COVID-19, should be performed on African people.
The controversial suggestion was reportedly spoken out during a live show on the French television channel LCI, where Locht, a renowned research scientist at the Inserm health research group, met with Mira, head of the intensive care unit at Cochin Hospital in Paris, in order to discuss the ongoing spread of the pandemic outbreak.
At one point during their conversation, Locht talked about the potential trial of the BCG vaccine in continents like Europe and Australia, to which Mira gave a counter-proposal, as he stated it might be better to conduct the study in Africa, where “there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation.”
He stated: “If I can be provocative, shouldn’t we be doing this study in Africa, where there are no masks, no treatments, no resuscitation?”
Mira also elaborated it was a bit like it was done elsewhere for some studies on AIDS and commented further by saying, “A bit like as it is done elsewhere for some studies on AIDS. In prostitutes, we try things because we know that they are highly exposed and that they do not protect themselves.”
Besides, Mira stated that the study they were talking about would not be successful in Europe and Australia, where people had much more abundant supplies of medical resources.
However, the discussion of the two doctors was met with instant disapproval, and even some celebrities like retired football player Didier Drogba have voiced their opinions on the matter.
According to the soccer star, Africa was not a testing lab, and he accused the two doctors of racism.
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. pic.twitter.com/41GIpXaIYv
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) April 2, 2020
Mira has apologized for his remark. A statement put out by his employer read: “I want to present all my apologies to those who were hurt, shocked and felt insulted by the remarks that I clumsily expressed on LCI this week.”
Locht also did the same thing and his employer, Inserm, even tried to blame the viral video for the controversy and insisted that nothing racist was ever said. Both doctors received death threats and Mira has contacted the authorities.
The controversy sparked a lot of reactions online. One person stated: “So we test vaccines where there are barely any cases? You tested HIV in a population with high prevalence so test COVID vaccine where the prevalence is high as well….. test in China, Italy….. LEAVE Africa alone!! It’s the same African leaders that will see the $$$ and let them test… we the people have to protect Africa. The leaders won’t!!”
Experts say testing will start in Europe and Australia, and Africa will probably be involved at some point down the road. Mira and Locht will not face any professional consequences for their controversial statements.
