HEALTH - The African Mirror

Jun

25

2021

Afrigen to deliver Africa’s 1st vaccine

COVID-19

WENDELL ROELF AFRIGEN Biologics expects a decision in mid-July on partners to produce Africa's first COVID-19 vaccine using the mRNA platform, the South African start-up's managing director said. The World Health Organization picked Afrigen for a pilot to give poor and middle-income countries the know-how and licenses to make COVID-19 vaccines, in what South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called a historic step. The "tech transfer hub" will make it possible for African companies to manufacture mRNA vaccines, the advanced technology used in Pfizer and Moderna shots, in 9-12 months, the WHO said on Monday. "The race is on to get…

May

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Our research shows gaps in South Africa’s diabetes management programme

HEALTH

DIABETES is currently the ninth most common cause of death in the world. Around 420 million people or 6% of the world’s population is affected. This number is expected to rise beyond half a billion by the end of the decade with the biggest increase occurring in low- and middle-income countries. PATRICK NGASSA PIOTIE, Project Manager, Tshwane Insulin Project, University of Pretoria ELIZABETH M. WEBB, Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria PAUL RHEEDER, Project Head, Tshwane Insulin Project, University of Pretoria Most people with the condition have type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is the result of excess body weight…

Jun

24

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia detects six cases of Delta variant

COVID-19

TUNISIA has detected six cases of the Delta COVID-19 variant, first detected in India, the health ministry said, amid a rapid spread of the virus in the North African country. After successfully containing the virus in the first wave last year, Tunisia is grappling with a rise in infections. As cases have mounted and intensive care wards almost filled, Tunisia last week imposed a lockdown in four governates. Tunisia has recorded 387,000 coronavirus cases and about 14,233 deaths.

Jun

24

2021

By The African Mirror

2nd member of Uganda’s Olympic team tests positive

COVID-19

A second member of Uganda's Olympic delegation, an athlete, has tested positive for COVID-19 in Japan, an official from the team's host city of Izumisano has disclosed. The first member of the delegation tested positive after Uganda's Olympic delegation arrived in Japan on Saturday, local media reported. The Asahi Shimbun newspaper said the first person was a coach.

Jun

24

2021

By The African Mirror

S.A assess efficacy of Sinopharm vaccine

COVID-19

SOUTH Africa's health regulator has received documentation for China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine and will evaluate the data to assess the efficacy of the shot. Now in the grip of a third wave of infections, South Africa is inoculating its population with Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines, but the rollout has been slow partly due to setbacks in supply. It has vaccinated just over 2 million people, 3.6% of its population, one of the world's lowest rates. Authorities have faced pressure from South African radical opposition party the Economic Freedom Fighters to authorise the use of Russian and Chinese vaccines…

May

11

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa warns of ‘vaccine apartheid’ if rich countries hog shots

COVID-19

ALEXANDER WINNING SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday that if wealthy nations hogged COVID-19 shots while millions in poor countries died waiting for them it would amount to "vaccine apartheid". South Africa and India have been pushing for a waiver on some intellectual property (IP) rights for vaccines and medicines at the World Trade Organization. U.S. President Joe Biden backed the proposal last week, though it may still take months to reach a deal. Ramaphosa called on South Africans to support the waiver in a weekly newsletter, saying vaccines should be "a global public good". "It is about affirming…

May

11

2021

By The African Mirror

‘Black fungus’ adds to India’s woes

COVID-19

MANAS MISHRA and KANNAKI DEKA THE Indian government has told doctors to look out for signs of mucormycosis or "black fungus" in COVID-19 patients as hospitals report a rise in cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection. The state-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said at the weekend that doctors treating COVID-19 patients, diabetics and those with compromised immune systems should watch for early symptoms including sinus pain or nasal blockage on one side of the face, one-sided headache, swelling or numbness, toothache and loosening of teeth. The disease, which can lead to blackening or discolouration over the…

May

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Sudanese search for oxygen cylinders

COVID-19

KHALID ABDELAZIZ SUDAN is struggling to provide hospital beds, drugs and medical oxygen to COVID-19 patients hit by a third wave of infections that is straining the country's patchy healthcare system beyond what it can cope with. With a population of over 40 million, Sudan has recorded 33,000 cases and over 2,600 deaths since the start of the pandemic, but officials say the real numbers are likely to be much higher given low rates of testing. In recent weeks, an acute shortage of oxygen, partly due to power cuts that impeded production at the country's main plant, has left hospitals…

Jun

23

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africans battle to bridge digital divide

COVID-19

KIM HARRISBERG WHEN Esther Dhlamini went to collect her pension in Johannesburg's Soweto township, she was surprised to find a local bishop on hand to soothe her fears about COVID-19 vaccination and register her for the jab on his mobile phone. Community "foot soldiers" like the bishop are among numerous initiatives being scrambled across South Africa to tackle a digital divide that threatens to hit vaccine take-up among people without internet access - including many pensioners. "I was afraid to get vaccinated and didn't know how to," said Dhlamini, 71, outside the Boxer supermarket where she goes each month to…

Jun

23

2021

By The African Mirror

Zimbabwe expects 2.5 million vaccines

COVID-19

ZIMBABWE expects to receive 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccines from China by the end of this month as it seeks to boost its vaccination drive after several centres ran out of doses, which caused panic, the information minister has said. The southern African nation has faced shortages of vaccines at major centres in Harare and Bulawayo, forcing authorities to prioritise inoculating those seeking second doses. "Arrangements are currently in progress to procure 2 million doses of vaccines from China. These are expected in the country by end of month. Furthermore 500,000 doses of vaccines are expected to be delivered this Saturday,"…