covid-19 – KMAUPDATES

Sep82020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Egypt: UNAIDS participates with WHO and partners in the launch of training resource on “Primary health care practice in the context of COVID-19”

HEALTH

CAIRO, Egypt -- Within the successful partnership under the Regional Health Forum, and the “Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All”, which identifies PHC as the primary driver in achieving SDG 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; World Health Organization collaborates with UN partners and World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) to support countries in adopting this comprehensive integrated approach. UNAIDS participates with WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean and other partners in the launch of a new online training resource on “Primary health care (PHC) practice in the context of COVID-19”, tomorrow, Monday, 7 September 2020. The online training aims to support PHC personnel in their efforts to maintain esse...

Sep42020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Team Europe: Germany and European Union jointly support African Union’s response to COVID-19

INTERNATIONAL

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) received additional 500,000 COVID-19 test kits from the German Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). As part of the EU’s global coronavirus response, the test kits were delivered by an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight in August. The shipment is part of a 10 million Euro immediate in-kind support to African Union in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In total, almost 1.4 million kits for the extraction and detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus will be made available to African Union Member States through this initiative. Mr Gerd Müller, Minister of Development Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Germany, said on the occasion: “We will eithe...

Sep32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – South Sudan: United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) hands over COVID-19 Critical Care Center in Yambio

HEALTH

JUBA, South Sudan, September 3, 2020/ -- As part of its ongoing support to the national-led COVID-19 response, UNMISS and development partners recently rehabilitated and handed over 16 rooms to local authorities in Yambio, Western Equatoria. A joint public health initiative with the State COVID-19 Task Force, the refurbished facility is designed to be a fully equipped isolation facility for residents and displaced persons who may contract the virus. Additionally, the mission handed over a 50KVA generator, 20 beds and mattresses, 120 bed linens and a water tank with a capacity of 5000 litres. “These efforts from UNMISS aim at enabling a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We hope that this facility will help in mitigating the impact of the pandemic h...

Sep32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Three Accelerators to Help Health Services Respond Faster to COVID-19

HEALTH

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the world: dominating our mindscape, international discourse, national budgets and overwhelming global health systems. COVID-19 has challenged every industry – especially healthcare – to think differently, rely on data, target action and rapidly trial new models of care and technology in the race to save lives and preserve health.BroadReach (www.BroadReachCorporation.com), a group of social impact businesses, hosted an online meeting with industry leaders to explore how data and technology have helped to speed up the time for health services to respond to COVID-19. Through the discussion, three major themes emerged highlighting how technology, data and human action can make a lasting positive impact. Access to real...

Sep32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

New collaboration between Novartis and Africa Medical Supplies Platform to facilitate supply of COVID-19 related medicines

HEALTH

BASEL, Switzerland -- The collaboration aims to help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in the African Union member states; Portfolio of 15 generic and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from Sandoz division will be sold at zero-profit to governments through Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) to 55 African and 15 Caricom eligible countries; the African Union through the AMSP has integrated vetted medical suppliers to ensure rapid access to affordable COVID-19 related suppliesNovartis (www.Novartis.com) and the African Union (AU) through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) have announced a new collaboration to facilitate the supply of medicines from the Novartis Pandemic Response Portfolio to the AU member states and Caricom countries.The AMSP portal is an online market...

Sep32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Liquidation Proceedings in South Africa Post-COVID: how to respond to creditors unjustified attempts to liquidate a business

HEALTH

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 2, 2020/ -- It is well documented that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking its toll on businesses. Commerce in most sectors are fighting to keep their doors open, grappling with creditors to avoid winding up proceedings and its far-reaching implications.In the past few months our offices have experienced a significant increase of queries relating to creditors threatening with liquidation proceedings. In this article we explain what can be done in these situations.The impact of COVID-19In a recent survey by Stats SA, the national statistical service of South Africa, conducted during the lockdown, they asked a total of 707 businesses in the formal sector how the current crisis is affecting their business operations. In their response to the survey, the busi...

Aug282020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Police given a go ahead to arrest politicians who hold gatherings amidst social distance regulations

AFRICA

President Museveni has directed the Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola to arrest anyone, including government officials and politicians holding gatherings in all parts of the country. In the past, several politicians and government officials including the Minister for Health, Dr.Jane Ruth Aceng and State Minister in charge of Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite have been captured on video with large gatherings. However, in Museveni’s latest missive, Uganda had contained the war on the virus because majority of the population had followed the guidelines put in place but noted that the situation has changed in the past few weeks. “Regarding the politicians that have been gathering people contrary to the guidelines, my order to the IGP is now out. No publi...

Aug272020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Government stops Mulago Hospital from collecting COVID-19 samples

HEALTH

Mulago National Referral Hospital has been closed as a COVID-19 sample collection site for all individuals, the Ministry of Health has announced. According to the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Lower Mulago has ceased to be a collection center for samples but has been reserved for isolation and treatment of coronavirus patients. Covid-19 sample collection services according to the MOH have been decentralized to other health centers in 5 Divisions of Kampala including Kiswa Health Center in Bugolobi. However, the facility at Upper Mulago remains open in terms of health services and treatment according to the ministry. The MOH advised the public with symptoms and signs consistent to covid-19 to visit other health centers across Kampala for sample testing instead o...

Aug142020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: Uganda registers 12th Covid-19 Death, 32 new cases confirmed

HEALTH, UGANDA

The Ministry of Health on Friday confirmed another death of one Covid-19 patient, bringing the number of people who have succumbed to the disease in Uganda to twelve. A statement by the ministry says that 32 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed from samples tested on Thursday, bringing the cumulative confirmed cases in Ugandans to 1,385. The deceased is a 65-year old Ugandan male, a resident of Kampala Metropolitan Area, who was first admitted to Nsambya Hospital and later transferred to Naguru Hospital after developing signs and symptoms consistent with Covid-19. “However, he passed on while on admission at Naguru Hospital. Results from the laboratory confirmed Covid-19,” the statement reads in part. Meanwhile, of the 32 new confirmed cases, 17 are alerts out which 10 are from K...

Aug132020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: An initiative to protect truck drivers from Coronavirus has been set up

AFRICA, UGANDA

Safe Way Right Way Uganda together with Transaid and with support from the German and Norwegian-funded Employment and Skills for Development in Africa (E4D) initiative have launched a project to help protect truck drivers from getting infected with Coronavirus. The project is meant to reduce transmission rates and build community confidence in the safety of the logistics sector. Speaking during the launch of the project, Eng. Benon Kajuna, who represented the Works Minister, Gen.Katumba Wamala said the initiative will go a long way in reinforcing the fight against Covid-19. “Uganda has registered most of its Covid-19 cases from truck drivers but we must thank them for enduring because without them, we would not be able to receive the various goods for use. I thank you for this in...

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

ETHIOPIA: International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Norwegian Refugee Council Give Assistance to Thousands of COVID-19 Returnee Migrants in Ethiopia

Uncategorized

More than 17,000 of the returnees came home via land crossings, mainly from Djibouti, Somalia, and SudanGENEVA, Switzerland, August 11, 2020/ -- IOM, the International Organization for Migration, and NRC, the Norwegian Refugee Council, are delivering essential aid to over 23,500 migrants in Ethiopia who have recently returned to the country due to COVID-19.More than 17,000 of the returnees came home via land crossings, mainly from Djibouti, Somalia, and Sudan. For some returnees these are destination countries where they go to seek employment, yet for many others these are transit countries on the perilous journey east to the Arab Peninsula, or north to Europe via North Africa.All recent returnees are being accommodated at quarantine facilities in regional towns.The migrants, who have ret...

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

NIGERIA: “Wellness On Wheels” initiative to provide diagnostic & treatment for COVID-19, TB and other life-threatening diseases

HEALTH

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), August 12, 2020/ -- “Wellness On Wheels” a.k.a "WOW Truck" reaches remote areas in northern Nigeria with much-needed essential health services.This Kaduna State Government, KNCV Tuberculosis F. & World Health Organization (WHO) initiative provides diagnostic & treatment for COVID-19, TB & other life-threatening diseases.

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

NIGERIA: Subject your research discoveries to regular procedural checks, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora charges claimants to COVID-19 Herbal Mixture

Uncategorized

ABUJA, Nigeria, August 12, 2020/ -- The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has charged claimants to herbal COVID-19 cure solutions to follow due process by enlisting such to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and further to clinical trials with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD).Dr. Mamora gave this charge when Bella Sahara Limited, approached the Honourable Minister with a view to getting recognition for its herbal organic therapy which it called Odilimenvir Organic Therapy Cellular and Immune Bolstering solution on Tuesday, 11th August, 2020.Having listened to the presentation by Bella Sahara Limited, the Honourable Minister first commended the efforts of the drug research for com...

Aug122020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Government to deport refugees over Virus Pandemic

AFRICA, UGANDA

The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees says it is considering revoking the refugee status of some immigrants following the spread of Covid-19 infections and deaths within refugee settlements. According to the disaster state minister, Mr Musa Echweru, some refugees have been sneaking back into their countries of origin and returning to Uganda, whom he believes could be the importing the virus into the camps. “It is believed that the refugee who died in Hoima sneaked into DR Congo and back into the Kyangwali camp in Hoima after getting the Coronavirus. Our refugee settlements are like our rural villages,” he said adding, “We have sensitized refugees about the Covid-19 guidelines and we are also considering making it criminal to sneak into their countries and returning to U...

Aug112020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

BUSINESS: Toyota closes branch in Uganda after 3 employees test postive to Covid-19

TECHNOLOGY, UGANDA

Toyota Uganda has temporarily sealed off its Kampala branch with effect from yesterday after three of their staff tested positive for Covid-19. Mr Mahmood Omar, the company’s managing director in a press statement, said last week some of the staff at the branch reported feeling unwell with mild flu like symptoms and the company requested that they be tested. Results from the Health ministry confirmed that they had tested positive and have been referred to Mulago hospital for further treatment. “In the meantime, our Kampala branch at First Street, Industrial Area, will be temporarily closed effective today as additional steps, as guided by the authorities, are put in place, and all our staff confirmed in good health,” reads the press statement. Mr Omar said the rest of the staf...

Aug102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – South Africa: Parliament Presiding Officers wish Veteran MP Prince Buthelezi a speedy recovery from COVID-19

AFRICA

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 8, 2020/ -- The Presiding Officers of Parliament, led by National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Mr Amos Masondo, wishes veteran National Assembly Member of Parliament, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a speedy recovery after testing positive for COVID-19.Prince Buthelezi is one of the long-serving Members of Parliament since the establishment of our democratic Parliament in 1994, and continues to serve as a reservoir of wisdom and experience for the institution. It is understood that Prince Buthelezi remains asymptomatic and is in self-isolation at home for the mandatory period.“We are pleased to learn that he remains in high spirits, and we are confident he will defeat this disease. We urge South Africans to ke...

Aug102020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Gov’t circulates Covid-19 facemasks around Kampala

AFRICA, UGANDA

More than two million people in Kampala are set to receive the long-awaited government masks. Mr Daniel Nuwabine Muhumuza, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)’s acting head of corporate and public affairs, said the distribution of masks which started on Friday, is expected to end on Sunday, however, one extra day might be added for those who might have missed out. “We received more than two million masks which will be distributed to a population of more than two million. Kampala Central has 213,000 adults, 77 per cent are six years and above,” Mr Muhumuza said on Friday. This comes at a time when Covid-19 cases have been rising in the country, especially in Kampala area.As of Friday, Uganda’s Covid-19 cases stood at 1,254 with six deaths and 1,113 recoveries. Ms Betty Amongi...

Aug62020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Ethiopia: The United States Provides Ventilators to Ethiopia to Respond to COVID-19

HEALTH

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 6, 2020/ -- The U.S. government has donated a shipment of 250 state-of-the-art ventilators and other critical care equipment to assist Ethiopia with its response to COVID-19. The donation delivers on President Trump’s generous offer to Prime Minister Abiy of these critically needed supplies, in support of Ethiopia’s urgent and comprehensive response to the pandemic. “Today, the United States reinforces its unwavering commitment to the Ethiopian people. This donation is a critical addition to the billions of dollars in resources and expertise that the American people have invested in Ethiopia’s health system in recent years. I am honored to join Minister Dr. Lia Tadesse to hand over this new equipment and to continue our work together, mitigating the impac...

Aug62020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Republic of Korea powers humanitarian air service during COVID-19

INTERNATIONAL

ROME, Italy, August 6, 2020/ -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea has contributed US$ 2.5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), enabling it to continue providing United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) in countries where conflicts, natural disasters and the socio-economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic are pushing millions into hunger and poverty. “This vital funding comes at a time when essential humanitarian air services are needed more than ever – due to air traffic limitations caused by COVID-19. UNHAS will make it possible for not just supplies - but also humanitarian responders - to reach areas that would be impossible to get to, and carry out life-saving work,” said Hyoung-Joon Lim, Director of WFP Korea Office.This generou...

Aug32020 by KMA UpdatesNo Comments

UGANDA: Ugandan troops delay to return from Somalia due to the virus pandemic

AFRICA, UGANDA

The current Coronavirus pandemic has delayed the return of Ugandan troops from Somalia, Brig. Richard Otto, the contingent commander for the UPDF AMISOM has said. Following the outbreak of the pandemic, several countries closed their airspace and according to Brig.Otto, Sector One has put on hold the rotation of its troops both in and out of the mission area. “I have troops who were supposed to rotate out but have not because of this situation. Most of the countries have restricted their airspaces and border posts, but this is aimed at protecting and controlling the spread of the disease from other countries,” Brig.Otto said. “My troops have been informed and they are aware. It has not affected their morale.” UPDF in Somali controls the largest area because the Ugandan troops ...