The COVID-19 pandemic saw a drastic decline in diagnosis and treatment of TB infections in 2020, ranging from 16%-41% (with an average of 23%) representing 60% of the global TB burden, the Stop TB Partnership has disclosed. The drop brought the overall number of people diagnosed and treated for TB in those countries to 2008…
Africa’s health systems unfit to meet needs of the poor, new UHC Report shows
By Adelyn Wangusi Africa’s health systems are poorly attuned to meet the health care needs of the poor, the State of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa Report, a comprehensive document that maps the progress of African countries towards their UHC goals and unveiled today by the independent Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) Commission shows. According…
Researchers resume White Rhino egg harvesting amidst COVID-19 pandemic
By Joseph Abuje Northern white rhino rescue programme resumes work with the successful egg harvest after a few months’ hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. So far, 10 eggs have harvested from the last remaining two individuals, Najin and Fatu, in the third-ever ovum pick up procedure in northern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta…
COVID-19 puts progress on vaccine coverage under pressure
Cconcerns over COVID-19 pandemic could reverse gains in vaccination achieved over the last year when basic coverage increased in both lower- and fragile countries, according to a new Gavi analysis of the WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC). Roughly 65 million children in the world’s poorest countries received basic diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3)…
28 homes belonging to the indigenous Sengwer community in Embobut Forest burnt
Kenyan authorities have burned down 28 homes belonging to the indigenous Sengwer community in the Embobut Forest in Western Kenya. “What is happening now is so dangerous, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Elias Kimaiyo, a Sengwer community leader in Embobut. Many community members had left the area in search of food when the raid took…
COVID-19: Social services for mothers, newborns, young children and adolescents badly hit
Mothers, newborns, young children and adolescents are losing 20 per cent of their health and social services due to the COVID-19 pandemic says a Panel of senior global health experts. “Health systems in both rich and poor nations are massively struggling and the services for mothers, newborns, young children and adolescents are crumbling,” says Elizabeth…
COVID-19 to complicate the hunger situation in East Africa
The dire socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic may more than double. The number of hungry people in East Africa and the Horn over the next three months could thanks to the double threats of the locusts and COVID-19. An estimated 20 million people already faced acute food insecurity in nine countries before COVID-19 arrived…