Challenges Affecting African Countries in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Interventional Strategies in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many global challenges, especially in resource-constrained countries. Africa, a continent with a large number of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), shares this burden disproportionately compared to developed countries. Here we review some of the major challenges African countries face in the fight against COVID-19 and propose some mitigation measures. Studies have reported low adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures in most African countries. Additionally, there has been a shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate surveillance and diagnostic tools, unavailability of drugs in healthcare facilities, increased wrong beliefs, myths, misinformation and misconceptions about COVID-19 and vaccinations, and an already existing burden of infectious and non-infectious diseases across the African continent. Despite being very challenging to implement across African countries, telehealth is a critical solution to offer healthcare services during disease outbreaks. Many African countries have faced challenges in the fight against COVID-19. The training of healthcare workers (HCWs) must be strengthened to help address the shortage.

Reviewing business analytics in healthcare management: USA and African perspectives

“…Resource constraints and technological infrastructure limitations pose significant barriers to the effective adoption of analytics in healthcare management (Kotzias et al, 2022). Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in African healthcare, including shortages of healthcare workers, inadequate surveillance and diagnostic tools, and misinformation about the virus and vaccinations (Mudenda et al, 2022).…”