HEALTH - The African Mirror

Jul

17

2021

Nigerian in Tokyo hospital with COVID-19

COVID-19

A member of the Nigerian Olympics delegation who tested positive for the coronavirus at Japan's Narita airport on Thursday evening has been admitted to a Tokyo hospital, TV Asahi reported. The person, in their 60s, had only light symptoms but was hospitalised because of their advanced age and pre-existing conditions, TV Asahi said, adding that it was the first COVID-19 hospitalisation of an Olympics-related visitor. The person's gender and other details were not disclosed.

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Europe sends aid to Tunisia

COVID-19

ITALY, Spain and Switzerland have sent medical aid to Tunisia which is facing its worst health crisis since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a sharp rise in deaths, hospitals filled to capacity and a lack of oxygen supplies. Deaths from COVID-19 exceeded 150 per day during the past week in Tunisia, prompting countries including Qatar, Algeria, the UAE, Morocco, Turkey and Kuwait to send aid. Egypt and Saudi Arabia opened an air bridge earlier this week, sending at least 8 planes of aid. France said this week it also planned to send about one million vaccination doses and…

Jul

18

2021

By The African Mirror

Health professionals work in teams: their training should prepare them

HEALTH

GOOD communication and understanding of the roles of other disciplines in a health care team has been found to result in fewer medical errors, reduced medical costs and a better patient care experience. GÉRARD CHARL FILIES, Senior Lecturer: Interprofessional Education Unit, University of the Western Cape JOSÈ FRANTZ, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, University of the Western Cape Take this scenario for example: Mr X has had a stroke and has been admitted to hospital. He sees a doctor who refers him to a specialist. These appointments are followed by others with an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a dietitian.…

Apr

07

2021

By The African Mirror

Long-term care for the aged in Ghana is on the back burner. Here is how to change it

HEALTH

PROVIDING long-term care is a challenge to states around the world. In rich countries, supporting frail and disabled adults is a major budget item, and even then, the care provided can be inadequate. CATI COE, Professor of Anthropology, Rutgers University The population profiles of poorer countries are beginning to change, with the number of old people increasing. But the response of many African governments has been to bury their heads in the sand. Take the case of Ghana. It is one of the countries with a higher percentage of older adults on the continent, but it’s failed to pass any…

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Cholera is still a danger in Nigeria: here’s what the government can do

HEALTH

THOUSANDS of cases of cholera have been reported in Nigeria between January and June 2021. The northern states of Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Plateau and Zamfara are among those affected. OLAYINKA STEPHEN ILESANMI, Lecturer, Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It is passed on from faeces through contaminated food, drinks and unhygienic environments, and causes severe dehydration. Infected people can die if their illness is not quickly managed with oral rehydration. In the past, cholera infections were common in many countries around the globe. Now they are mostly confined…

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

African countries call for $100 billion boost

COVID-19

LOUCOUMANE COULIBALY ELEVEN African heads of state have called for $100 billion in hardship funding to help dig their economies out of the hole caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most African nations have been spared the levels of death and infection caused by the coronavirus in other parts of the world, but lockdowns and reduced travel and trade have thrown sub-Saharan Africa into recession. The leaders met in Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan, where they produced a declaration asking for $100 billion for the period of 2022-2025 from the International Development Association (IDA), an arm of the World Bank Group…

Jul

17

2021

By The African Mirror

Tsepo Tshola – the village pope sleeps tonight

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER AFRICAN legend musician, composer Tsepo Tshola was more than a musician or a sweet baritone voice that entertained millions over the past five decades. Tshola (68), who passed away after a battle with COVID-19, was many things to many people. He helped many couples to celebrate their climax of their love - by tying the knot. Lots of couples danced to this music on their wedding day. Party-goers and music festival revellers danced into the night to his famous compositions. Many families who lost their loved ones turned to Tshola’s smooth baritone for comfort. He was, as…

Jul

16

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 deaths in Africa surge 43% week-on-week, WHO says

COVID-19

AFRICA recorded a 43% jump in COVID-19 deaths last week as infections and hospital admissions have risen and countries face shortages of oxygen and intensive-care beds, according to the World Health Organization. The continent's case fatality rate - the proportion of deaths among confirmed cases - stands at 2.6% against the global average of 2.2%, WHO Africa said in its weekly briefing. "Africa's third wave continues its destructive pathway, pushing past yet another grim milestone as the continent's case count tops six million," Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, told the briefing. The surge in infections, which is partly…

Jul

16

2021

By The African Mirror

Bank provides $200 million for vaccines

COVID-19

STANDARD Chartered Bank has revealed that it is providing $200 million in not-for-profit funding to the African Export-Import Bank's (Afreximbank) COVID-19 vaccine procurement framework for Africa. The facility is part of Afreximbank's Advance Procurement Commitment framework, under which it has provided a $2 billion guarantee to manufacturers to secure access to vaccine doses for African nations, Standard Chartered said in a statement. "The speed of vaccine rollout is not only a healthcare issue but is increasingly a differentiator of near-term, post-pandemic economic recovery for African nations," said Simon Cooper, Standard Chartered's Chief Executive for Corporate, Commercial, and Institutional Banking. Africa…

Apr

06

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID pandemic increased stillbirth and maternal death rates: Lancet

COVID-19

RATES of stillbirth and maternal deaths rose by around a third during the COVID-19 pandemic, with pregnancy outcomes getting worse overall for both babies and mothers worldwide, according to an international data review published on Wednesday. Pooling data from 40 studies across 17 countries, the review found that lockdowns, disruption to maternity services, and fear of attending healthcare facilities all added to pregnancy risks, leading to generally worse results for women and infants. "The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare systems," said professor Asma Khalil, who co-led the research at St George's University of London. "The disruption…