Health – KMAUPDATES

Jul72020 by Ronald KabuubiNo Comments

CORONAVIRUS: Uganda runs out of ‘Space’ for quarantine patients.

KAMPALA- The quarantine centres for suspected Covid-19 patients are full to capacity and thus no more people will be admitted, the Ministry of Health has revealed. Dr Richard Mugahi, who is in charge of quarantine facilities at the Ministry of Health, said they are focusing on allowing the numbers that they can accommodate at a time but added that there will be a second and third phase for more admissions when there is space. “They (quarantine centres) are not congested but they are full, we have a certain capacity, our capacity is 200 patients for public centres. Most people who were returning, especially from UAE were not able to pay for themselves. We needed a number we can manage very well. Everyone has their own room so there is no congestion and that is why we are not takin...

Jul72020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Brazil’s President to be tested for COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS

SAO PAULO — Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said he will be tested for COVID-19 after having an X-ray of his lungs on Monday. He didn't say whether he was showing symptoms of the new coronavirus. Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the disease, told supporters outside the presidential residence in capital Brasilia that he is feeling well. Brazil's Supreme Court published documents in May showing that Bolsonaro tested negative three times in March after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. The Brazilian leader hasn't said whether he took any additional tests for the disease since. Bolsonaro’s prior tests were conducted using pseudonyms, as is customary for medical tests performed on Brazilian leaders in order to preserve their privacy. The p...

Jul62020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Pakistan minister tests positive for coronavirus

CORONAVIRUS

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Minister of State for Health Zafar Mirza tested positive for the coronavirus, the latest high profile government minister to contract the virus. Foreign Minister Moahmood Qureshi announced Friday that he too tested positive for the virus. The two men say their symptoms are mild. In a tweet on Monday, Mirza said he is self-isolating. Pakistan has recorded 231,813 infections and 4,762 deaths. Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to impose strict lockdowns, easing many restrictions, but ordering people to wear masks and social distance, though most people, especially among the poor and in the congested cities are not able to keep their distance. The government has sealed hundreds of markets throughout the country where large numbers of infections have been...

Jul42020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus: Kenyan communities taking the lead in curbing COVID-19 spread

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, KENYA

WHO is capitalizing on 21 community radio channels throughout the country to relay COVID-19 messages and conduct debates and discussions on the disease and its spreadBRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), July 3, 2020/ -- By the time the public health officials reached a Maasai community not far from Nairobi, Julius Oloiboni had already mobilized everyone to protect themselves and others against COVID-19.Mr Oloiboni, a Maasai elder, and the 30 members of his community periodically move with their cattle between Nairobi and Kajiado counties for grazing. But when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Kenya, the government put the city on a lockdown, including semi-nomadic groups like Mr Oloiboni’s, thus curtailing their movement to new grazing areas.Mr Oloiboni and his family had been ...

Jul32020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus: Why surviving the virus may be just the beginning.

CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH

The first thing Simon Farrell can remember, after being woken from a medically induced coma, is trying to tear off his oxygen mask. He had been in intensive care for 10 days, reliant on a ventilator just to breathe. "I was trying to pull the mask off my face, and the nurse kept putting it back on," he recalls. When doctors woke him up, his body had fought off the worst of Covid-19 but he still needed oxygen to support his damaged lungs. And the 46-year-old father-of-two was suffering from such severe delirium he was trying to deny himself the oxygen he required. "Try to stop me," he remembers saying, when nurses at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital said they would have to put his hands in boxing glove-sized medical mittens unless he relaxed. "In the end they had to tape...

Jul22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: Ecobank Group spearheads new private sector initiative to end malaria

HEALTH

Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative supports global movement for malaria elimination in AfricaLOME, Togo, July 2, 2020/ -- Today, Ecobank Group (www.Ecobank.com) confirms its commitment to support ending malaria, launching the first-of-its-kind Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative in partnership with Dakar-based not-for-profit strategic communications and advocacy organization, Speak Up Africa, and the UN-hosted RBM Partnership to End Malaria.The new programme is set out to drive private-sector engagement on the fight against malaria in Africa. It supports the Pan-African Zero Malaria Starts with Me Movement, led by the African Union and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria launched two years ago today by African Heads of States at the 31st African Union Summit in Nouakchott....

Jul22020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa and Middle East: Statement by WHO Regional Director Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, Middle East

Increasing numbers of cases are also being reported from Iraq, Libya, Morocco, the occupied Palestinian territory, and OmanGENEVA, Switzerland, July 2, 2020/ -- By Dr Ahmed Al-MandhariJune 30 marked six months since WHO received the first reports of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in China The six-month mark of the outbreak coincides with reaching 10 million cases and 500,000 deaths world-wide. Although many countries have made some progress, globally the pandemic is speeding up.A few days ago, our Region passed its own significant and concerning milestone, with more than one million people now infected with COVID-19. The number of cases reported in June alone is higher than the total number of cases reported during the four months following the first reported case ...

Jul22020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

New reports suggest that a Significant number of people may have some natural immunity to coronavirus

CORONAVIRUS

Large numbers of the population may have natural immunity against coronavirus even if they have never been infected, scientists believe. Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, who is leading an Oxford team to develop a vaccine, said there was likely to be a "background level" of protection for a "significant number of people". Recent studies have suggested the immune system can be primed by other coronaviruses, such as the common cold, giving the body a head start in fighting off Covid-19. Research shows that a separate part of the immune system, T-cells, respond to chains of amino acids produced by different types of coronaviruses and may be responsible for stopping the virus in people who never show symptoms. Crucially, those T-cells die off...

Jun292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: New Agreements to Expand Access to 20 Lifesaving Cancer Medicines for Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia

AFRICA, ASIA, HEALTH

Cancer Access Partnership is expected to result in a 59 percent savings on procured cancer medicinesBASEL, Switzerland, June 29, 2020/ -- The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) today announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies Pfizer, Novartis, and Mylan to expand access to 20 lifesaving cancer treatments in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Purchasers are expected to save an average of 59 percent for medicines procured through the agreements.“With the rapidly growing burden of cancer in Africa, it is crucial that we improve and expand access to high-quality, affordable treatment. These agreements build on those announced in 2017 that have already delivered substantial savings and increased treatment availability in several coun...

Jun292020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

HEALTH: The hidden risks of cooking your food.

HEALTH

From creating toxic chemicals to an increased risk of lung cancer, the latest evidence suggests that some types of cooking come with health risks. What can be done to avoid them? “The whole reason that we evolved as humans is because we started cooking our food,” says Jenna Macciochi, firmly. “When we only had a raw diet, we had to be eating constantly, because our bodies struggled to get the nutrients out of raw food.” Biologists have long agreed with Macciochi, who studies how a person’s nutrition and lifestyle interact with their immune system at the University of Sussex. In fact, there’s a substantial back catalogue of evidence that suggests that human evolution is directly linked to the use of fire. When our ancestors cooked and processed their food, they made it easier to e...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: The United States continues to lead the global response to COVID-19

INTERNATIONAL

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 29, 2020/ -- The United States continues to lead the global effort to respond to and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Building upon decades of investment in life-saving health and humanitarian assistance, the American people should be proud of the real results we are achieving through our help to nations around the world, which also helps protect the homeland. The U.S. government has so far allocated more than $12 billion that will benefit the global COVID-19 response, and we continue to ensure that the substantial U.S. funding and scientific efforts on this front remain a central and coordinated part of the worldwide effort against the disease. Our efforts are far from over but continue to make a real and lasting impact.Since the outbreak of COVI...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Clarification of COVID-19 Testing Expansion in Nigeria in light of Comments by Officials of Cross River State

CORONAVIRUS

ABUJA, Nigeria, June 29, 2020/ -- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is aware of recent statements regarding the country’s COVID-19 testing processes, by the Commissioners of Information and Health in Cross River State. Given our mandate to protect the health of all Nigerians, we are obliged to state the facts. The NCDC is leading the expansion of testing capacity for COVID-19 in Nigeria. As part of the national strategy to scale up COVID-19 testing published in March 2020, we are leveraging GeneXpert equipment currently used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The use of GeneXpert will significantly scale-up testing for COVID-19 and improve turn-around time for results in the country. Nigeria is one of many countries around the world using the GeneXpert system to scale...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Partners to launch the Africa Communications Information Platform in response to COVID-19

TECHNOLOGY

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 29, 2020/ -- Africa is about to roll out a groundbreaking mobile based public communications platform to provide more than 600 million users across the continent with the latest public health advice. The Africa Communications Information Platform will also furnish national and regional COVID task forces with user generated survey data and actionable health and economic insights. By improving national data and statistics, ACIP will enable authorities to better analyze pandemic related problems and implement appropriate responses. The platform will also allow COVID-taskforces to deploy health and economic resources to mitigate the pandemic’s impact. The Platform will be launched at an online event hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: COVID-19 – Global Response Fact Sheet

CORONAVIRUS

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 29, 2020/ -- KEY DEVELOPMENTS The U.S. Department of State (DoS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) remain committed to assisting the world’s most vulnerable countries in fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. On June 18, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced an additional $75.5 million to support the global response to COVID-19, bringing the total pledged U.S. Government (USG) funding to more than $1 billion. To date, pledged funding from USAID includes more than $227 million in assistance from USAID’s Global Health Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious-Disease Outbreaks (ERFUSAID), approximately $200 million in Global Health Programs (GHP-USAID) funds, $538 million in humani...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Advisory on the Use of Face Shields with Face Masks by the General Public

CORONAVIRUS

ABUJA, Nigeria, June 29, 2020/ -- Following evolving evidence on the transmission of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided recommendations for the wearing of face masks by the general public. This is especially important where there is ongoing widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as in public transport, markets, and confined or crowded environments. In Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 mandated the use of face masks or coverings in public spaces, on the 27th of April 2020. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) published advisories on the use of face masks and guidance on making cloth masks. The use of face masks for COVID-19 prevention is important, as recent studies indicate that a significant proportion of people w...

Jun292020 by KATENDE SHARIFNo Comments

Coronavirus – Nigeria: Lagos expands COVID-19 response capacity

CORONAVIRUS

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 29, 2020/ -- The Lagos State government has expanded its COVID-19 response capacity with the accreditation of seven private laboratories to boost its testing capacity and three private hospitals for case management. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing to give an update on ‘COVID-19Lagos Response, noted that the State remains committed to bringing the outbreak under control, making economic activities continue as best as possible and improving strategies to keep the citizens safe in the face of threats posed by the pandemic. Abayomi explained that the State government commenced the accreditation and validation of private health facilities to assist in the fight against the virus because of the need t...

Jun272020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Morocco: In the midst of coronavirus, USAID/Morocco supports distance learning for deaf and hard of hearing students.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, Morocco

Increased recognition of Moroccan Sign Language (MSL) as a language by providing training to teachers and administrators on MSLWASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 27, 2020/ -- “When COVID-19 hit Morocco and the schools closed, we quickly shifted to distance learning with the main goal of providing continued learning for our students”, said Mr. Boukili, the inclusive education official at Morocco’s Ministry of Education. “We soon realized we were only focusing on the tip of the iceberg!”In March 2020, Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training and Scientific Research (MOE) shifted to digital learning to ensure continuity of learning for its seven million students in response to the coronavirus outbreak. A variety of distance learning resources were made avail...

Jun272020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Djibouti: On the Occasion of the Republic of Djibouti’s National Day

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, Djibouti

The Horn faces the simultaneous challenges of COVID-19, a desert locust infestation, and devastating flood damageWASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 27, 2020/ -- By Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of StateOn behalf of the government and people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Djibouti as you celebrate the 43rd anniversary of your nation’s independence. Djibouti continues to be an important partner of the United States as we work together to foster prosperity and peace in the Horn of Africa. In these difficult times, as the Horn faces the simultaneous challenges of COVID-19, a desert locust infestation, and devastating flood damage, Djibouti has played a leading regional role in addressing these threats. The U.S.-Djiboutian partnership is vital to bringing securi...

Jun272020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus – Africa: Recover Better Together Action Forum.

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS, HEALTH

Ms. Mohammed stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the promise of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more relevant and vital than everNEW YORK, United States of America, June 27, 2020/ -- The United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed convened and opened the Recover Better Together Action Forum this morning. Over 300 participants, 40 speakers, including Ministers of Finance, International Cooperation and Foreign Affairs, ambassadors and partners from the private sector and civil society shared their experience in dealing with the socio-economic effects of COVID-19 and committed to recover better from the crisis. Heads of UN agencies, funds and programmes and Resident Coordinators leading the UN’s COVID-19 response and recovery on the groun...

Jun272020 by Kayongo Brian TimothyNo Comments

Coronavirus: African Union Member States (54) reporting COVID-19 cases

AFRICA, CORONAVIRUS

Northern (92,674; 3,910; 36,847): Algeria (12,685; 885; 9,066), Egypt (62,755; 2,620; 16,737), Libya (698; 18; 140), Mauritania (3,739; 119; 1,225), Morocco (11,633; 218; 8,656), Tunisia (1,164; 50; 1,023)ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 27, 2020/ -- African Union Member States (54) reporting COVID-19 cases (359,408) deaths (9,283), and recoveries (173,057) by region: Central (32,659 cases; 702 deaths; 16,061 recoveries): Burundi (144; 1; 93), Cameroon (12,592; 313; 10,100), Central African Republic (3,340; 40; 661), Chad (865; 74; 778), Congo (1,245; 40; 473), DRC (6,552; 149; 900), Equatorial Guinea (2,001; 32; 515), Gabon (5,209; 40; 2,327), Sao Tome & Principe (711; 13; 214)Eastern (34,421; 1,032; 15,814): Comoros (272; 7; 161), Djibouti (4,643; 52; 4,348), Eritrea (167; 0; ...