Click below to read the intro, or sideways for the first chapter.
Cynthia Makarutse, Senior Conference Producer
Despite initial fears that the COVID-19 pandemic would devastate Africa owing to few doctors and ventilators, with up to 250 million coronavirus cases projected by at least one model, the continent has demonstrated considerable resilience and resourcefulness in handling the first wave.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is working with Member States in Africa to ensure an effective response. Speaking at Omnia Health Live Africa, the five-day virtual event brought by Informa Markets for the African healthcare community, Dr John Nkengasong, Director – Africa CDC, discussed progress.
The pandemic peaked in July 2020, he said. Key public health measures helped to reduce the number of new cases.
Dr Nkengasong was joined by other leading speakers during the week, who attributed Africa’s success to date to factors such as effective coordination; telemedicine, fintech and big data providing support; and sheer pragmatism and goodwill, from sewing face masks to converting shipping containers into clinics.
Despite this, the pandemic has thrown up several important questions, from the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women, to supply chain issues and regulatory challenges.
The following chapters highlight these and other prevalent insights on what is shaping healthcare in Africa today, offered by speakers during Omnia Health Live Africa.
1.6 million COVID-19 cases in Africa, accounting for 4.1% of total global cases
1.3 million have recovered; 43,000 deaths (3.6% of global fatalities) with a case fatality of 2.4%
Between 14 September and 21 October, 4% weekly new cases in Africa. By region:
7% in North Africa
Over the last 4 weeks, Nigeria has shown a 5% average decrease in cases; Ethiopia, 2% increase; DRC, 0.3% increase; South Africa, 2% increase; Kenya, 4.2% increase.
17.5 million tests have been recorded to date across the continent.
Dr John Nkengasong, Director - Africa CDC
