COVID‐19: A perspective on Africa's capacity and response. Issue 11 (24th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa; Dzobo, Mathias; Chitungo, Itai
• Other Names: Luo Guangxiang (George) guestEditor.; Ly Hinh guestEditor.; Gao Shou‐Jiang guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical virology. Volume 92:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: 2465
• Page End: 2472
• Publication Date: 2020-06-24
• Subjects: Africa -- coronavirus disease 2019 -- health system capacity -- response; Virology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-6615

Abstract

Abstract: Global powerhouses with tried and tested health systems have struggled to contain the COVID‐19 pandemic. One is left to wonder what will be left of Africa, the second most populous continent after Asia, which is torn by civil wars, hunger, and diseases like AIDS and TB and, in recent years, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The majority of countries' health systems, already dependent on donor aid, are ill‐equipped and under‐resourced to deal with the raging pandemic. There is a lack of isolation and intensive care infrastructure, ventilators, and financial resources to bankroll the fight against COVID‐19 pandemic. However, there is some cause for optimism, for example, in West Africa where infrastructure like diagnostic testing facilities, intensive care units, surveillance, and systems for reporting emergencies used during the EVD outbreak of 2013–2016 can be leveraged to fight the COVID‐19 pandemic. Further, a number of African countries have responded swiftly by activating the necessary political and financial tools to combat the pandemic. Technical support from continental bodies like the Africa Centers for Disease Control and global development partners has improved the capacity of the continent to handle the pandemic. In this article, the authors unpack, review, and share a perspective on Africa's capacity to contain and control the COVID‐19 pandemic and review the current response. Highlights: There is a steady increase in the number of Covid‐19 cases in Africa Here, authors review Africa's capacity and response to the pandemic. While measures affected by developed countries may be admirable, Africa has to modify within individual countries' capacities to best mitigate the effects of the pandemic.