WED, MARCH 11 2020-theG&BJournal- The Ministry of Public Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported the country’s first case of COVID-19. Health authorities said tests found that a Congolese national, who had recently returned to Kinshasa from his residence in France had tested positive for the virus.
The DRC is one of ten countries in Africa to have confirmed a case of COVID-19. The other countries are: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia. This comes as the country’s largest Ebola outbreak appears to be winding down, with no new cases of the disease confirmed in the past 21 days.
“It is sad to hear that just as the DRC appears to be near ending its worst Ebola outbreak, a new virus is threatening the health of its citizens,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “However, some of the readiness efforts put in place during the Ebola outbreak may help the country respond to COVID-19. WHO is here to support you, just as we continue to do in the Ebola response.”
WHO has provided technical and material support to countries in Africa, including the DRC since the COVID-19 outbreak was declared to be a public health emergency of international concern. WHO has provided testing kits to the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa and other national laboratories as well as training to laboratory technicians. Thirty-nine laboratories in the WHO African region can now test for COVID-19. WHO has dispatched personal protective equipment for health workers, as well as thermometers and other essential supplies for screening and handling suspect cases at airports and other points of entry.
While there is still much to learn about COVID-19, people can take actions to prevent the disease through simple, day-to-day measures. These include regular hand washing with soap and water; coughing into a tissue or a bent elbow, being sure to safely dispose of the tissue afterwards; maintaining a social distance of at least one metre, particularly if that person is coughing; avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth; and seeking medical attention early if a person develops a fever or cough.
In another development, Ministers of Health from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) this week agreed to harmonize and coordinate their efforts to respond to COVID-19 in the region. South Africa – a member of the SADC – confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 5th March, the first country and so far only country in southern Africa to do so.
Since COVID-19 was declared to be a public health emergency of international concern in February, country preparedness levels in the WHO African region have been self-assessed. To increase the rigor and reliability of the self-assessment process, SADC Health Ministers agreed to submit their survey results to peer review. These survey results shape Member State response planning and the assistance they receive from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“We agree that although only one country in the SADC region has reported confirmed cases on COVID-19, SADC countries will shift to response mode,” said Dr. Stragomena Tax, SADC Secretary General. “Member states need to institute peer review mechanisms to validate self-assessment reports on readiness and requested national cooperation partners through WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control to support Member States in the development and implementation of country plans.”
Levels of preparedness vary considerably between SADC countries, and WHO is working with Member States to address gaps in prevention, impact mitigation and other intervention with emergency and contingency funds.
“A problem shared is a problem halved. SADC countries need to share the capacities available to them as much as possible – nationally and regionally,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “As we have seen with other health emergencies, there is a lot of expertise in the region. If countries have capacities in a particular area, they can support their neighbours.”
Ten of the sixteen SADC Member States also agreed to share information on the COVID-19 outbreak. “We have re-established and expanded the terms of reference for the technical committee responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Health, comprising of directors of public health and directors of medical services,” said Ummy Mwalimu, Health Minister of Tanzania, who chaired the meeting. Attending ministers also agreed to suspend regional face-to-face meetings in favour of internet-based conferences.
Dr Devanand Moonasar, Acting Chief Director for Communicable Diseases at South Africa’s National Health Department said the unified approach taken by China presented a valuable lesson for Africa, specifically around the value of a skilled workforce, dedicated resources and efficient and transparent data reporting and sharing practices. “I think that China’s efforts in lowering the numbers in the way that they did is quite remarkable and should be lauded,” said Dr. Moonasar.
While high-level coordination is vital to effectively respond to COVID-19, simple, day-to-day measures are essential too. These include regular hand washing with soap and water; coughing or sneezing into a tissue or a bent elbow, being sure to safely dispose of the tissue afterwards; maintaining a social distance of at least one metre, particularly if that person if coughing; avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth; and seeking medical attention early if a person develops a fever or cough.-APO
Meanwhile, Military Leaders adjust scope of Exercise African Lion to protect against COVID-19
Military leaders from the United States, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal will modify the size and scope of African Lion to minimize exposure of U.S. and partner nation service members to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The safety and protection of all of our forces — U.S. and partner nation — is a priority. Modifying the exercise still improves readiness while minimizing risk to protect both U.S. and partner forces,” said Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command. “While the scope of the exercise will adjust, our commitment to our African partners endures.”
Scheduled to start March 23, the exercise will now include only portions that do not require lodging of troops in close quarters. It will also include the academics portion that has already begun.
The decision to modify the size and scale of the exercise was made after several weeks of monitoring the COVID-19 situation and in close coordination with host nation military and government leaders.
“We’ve made tremendous gains in terms of our partnerships with the Moroccan, Tunisian and Senegalese forces, as well as our ability as a headquarters to forge a coalition across multiple countries, force components, national and international organizations. That experience alone makes our military stronger, and our countries more secure,” said Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, commanding general of U.S. Army Africa, which executes the annual exercise.
While the scope and size of African Lion 2020 has changed, planning continues for the exercise in 2021.-APO
Number of cases in Africa Region:
Algeria 20
Senegal 4
Togo 1
Cameroon 2
Nigeria 2
South Africa 7
Burkina Faso 2
DRC 1
Egypt 59
Tunisia 5
Morocco 2
Source: WHO
|twitter:@theGBJournal|email: info@govandbusinessjournal.com.ng|
