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Five questions for African countries that want to build climate-resilient health systems

Five questions for African countries that want to build climate-resilient health systems

EVERY day seems to bring a new headline about a devastating climate event. African countries aren’t spared. A “rain bomb” in South Africa. Flooding in Nigeria. Cyclones battering Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. Drought in Kenya. These events have enormous health and social effects, among them death, injuries, malnutrition and diseases (infectious and non-communicable). This all puts tremendous pressure on countries’ health systems, both in terms of caring for those affected and because facilities like hospitals and clinics are vulnerable to damage and destruction. Authors BOB MASH, Distinguished Professor, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University CHRISTIAN LUEME…
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Five actions to prepare African countries better for the next pandemic

Five actions to prepare African countries better for the next pandemic

GLOBALLY, cases of COVID-19 and related deaths are lower in June 2022 than they were at the beginning of the year. But the infection numbers are rising. Africa is no exception. The past two years have caused unimaginable disruption of normal life. And these disruptions continue to delay the recovery of economies and health systems in Africa. To meet the continuing health system challenges and avoid the same fate in future pandemics, African countries must take bold actions to repair their health systems and make them more resilient. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response set up by the…
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Health systems urged to develop green cure for fast-rising emissions

Health systems urged to develop green cure for fast-rising emissions

MEGAN ROWLING HOSPITALS and other healthcare facilities worldwide can prepare better for both climate change and future pandemics by adopting green technology and cutting planet-heating emissions from their operations and supply chains, health experts said on Wednesday. A new roadmap setting out ways for the health sector to reach net-zero emissions said healthcare has a "substantial" climate footprint, accounting for 4.4% of global emissions, mostly due to the use of fossil fuels for energy and products. Without action to shrink those emissions, they would more than triple by 2050, equalling the annual emissions from 770 coal-fired power plants, said the…
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Easing COVID-19 impact on key health services

Easing COVID-19 impact on key health services

THE COVID-19 pandemic has strained health systems and disrupted essential health services in Africa. Countries are working to restore and strengthen key services to better withstand shocks and ensure quality care. Regina Kamoga, the Executive Director of Uganda’s Community Health and Information Network and Chairperson of the Uganda Alliance of Patients Organizations, speaks about the impact of COVID-19 and solutions to restore essential health services. Regina Kamoga What is the impact of COVID-19 on patients seeking services for other diseases? Many governments in Africa took measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, some of the measures totally disrupted the…
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