Two proposals that would have resulted in a resumption of ivory sales by amending the CITES Appendices for the African elephant were roundly defeated today at CITES CoP 18. Proposal 10 would have transferred elephants in Zambia from Appendix I to Appendix II but was amended on the floor to delete sales of raw ivory and include…
ECHO study finds high rates of HIV and STIs among young women in 4 African countries
Henry Opondo New evidence from eSwatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia presented at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2019) in Mexico show high rates of HIV incidence overall among young women in these countries. The highly-publicized Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial, which just a few weeks ago finally…
Scale-up of TB prevention among people living with HIV possible, reveals new study
In an important moment for tuberculosis (TB) control, a new study finds that a shorter regimen to prevent TB can be safely co-administered with dolutegravir (DTG)—the first-line drug to treat HIV in many high-burden TB countries. Presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), the study found that weekly administration of rifapentine and…
Project ECHO to Tackle Africa’s Health Challenges spreads
A new collaborative learning and practice platform dedicated to improving health care delivery in Africa is mobilizing powerful new multi-country partnerships and equipping frontline health workers to better combat devastating diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, cancer, cholera, and Ebola. On February 18-19, Project ECHO will conduct an immersion workshop training in Johannesburg, South Africa, for around…
Southern Africa records lowest new TB cases
By Henry Opondo Southern Africa is a region that has witnessed the highest annual declines in new cases of tuberculosis, a new WHO’s 2018 Global TB Report, released in New York Tuesday shows. Countries such as Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are experiencing reduction rates that range between 4-8%, thanks to better…
Water pumps – a much-needed solution for municipalities
Several countries across Africa face ongoing power delivery challenges, with municipalities struggling to meet the demands of citizens and businesses, and load shedding which has again become a harsh reality, particularly in South Africa. A solution to these challenges will require the involvement of numerous stakeholders, but one power-saving solution has the potential to deliver…
Leading satellite operator Avanti announces official launch of South African based operations
Avanti Communications Group, a leading satellite operator, providing Ka-Band satellite data communications services across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, have announced the official launch of its South Africa-based operations as of 29 August 2018. The announcement is underpinned by Avanti’s continued commitment to investing in Africa through a direct local presence backed…
SADC Heads commit to ending malaria by 2030
Sixteen Heads of State across southern African countries are stepping up commitments to eliminate the malaria disease by 2030. Meeting at the 38th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Heads of State signed the “Windhoek Declaration on Eliminating Malaria in the SADC Region” that…