By Dr. Solomon Zewdu On February 24, 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Accra, Ghana. Two days later, another 504,000 doses arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. On Tuesday, 3.92 million vaccine doses arrived in Abuja, Nigeria and a further 324,000 arrived in Dakar, Senegal the following day. These were the first international deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine through the COVAX Facility, and—with the first doses administered in both countries just days later—the…
COVID-19 Vaccine roll out: Health experts urge Africa to exploits routes
By Henry Neondo Health experts in Africa have urged African countries to exploit any of three available routes to access vaccines to protect citizens from COVID-19. According to the experts, massive advances in vaccine science over the past year offered hope, but the global community needed to learn from its mistakes with inequitable HIV…
New guidelines for malaria launched
The WHO Guidelines for malaria, launched today, bring together the Organization’s most up-to-date recommendations for malaria in one user-friendly and easy-to-navigate online platform. They are designed to support malaria-affected countries in their efforts to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate a disease that continues to claim more than 400 000 lives each year. Users can access the evidence that…
UK-Africa pact that tackles antimicrobial resistance in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania mapped out
A new study, led by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and Research England, has identified some of the key problems surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across certain parts of Africa, highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to the threat of AMR in these areas. AMR occurs when microorganisms (like bacteria, viruses, and parasites) develop or change when…
Bill and Melinda Gates plot to overcome challenges of delivering COVID-19 vaccines, treatments
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced it will commit an additional $250 million to support the research, development, and equitable delivery of lifesaving tools in the global effort against COVID-19. Marking the end of a year focused on the scientific breakthroughs needed to end the pandemic, the foundation calls for global commitments to…
COVID-19 depresses war against HIV in Africa
H.E. Mrs. Amira Elfadil Mohamed, Commissioner for Social Affairs, African Union Commission Each year on World AIDS Day, we take time to reflect upon our worldwide response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by remembering where we started decades ago, honouring our achievements, and pledging to work harder and smarter, for more inclusive and innovative strategies…
COVID-19 pandemic looms large over a malaria-free future
Despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world held the line in protecting historic gains against malaria this year, saving hundreds of thousands of lives, preserving fragile health systems, and keeping malaria at bay in countries with zero local cases. However, long-term success in reaching a malaria-free world within a generation…
Every move counts towards better health – says WHO
Up to 5 million deaths, a year could be averted if the global population was more active. At a time when many people are homebound due to COVID-19, new WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, launched today, emphasize that everyone, of all ages and abilities, can be physically active and that every type…