Covid-19: Keep essential malaria services going during pandemic, urges WHO

Thornton, Jacqui

doi:10.1136/bmj.m1637

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

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“…Given the multiple issues and challenges facing African countries, we believe there is an urgent need to consolidate knowledge of ongoing activities across Africa to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand its impact. Similarly, there is a need to evaluate the impact of re-directing activities away from the care of patients in other priority disease areas in Africa towards COVID-19 activities given the likely consequences on increased morbidity and mortality alongside the economic and social impact (Cash and Patel, 2020;Lancet editorial, 2020;Thornton, 2020).…”

Section: Rationale Behind the Paper And The Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a key activity across countries especially among LMICs as it increases morbidity, mortality and costs ( Founou et al., 2017 ; Cassini et al., 2019 ; Hofer, 2019 ; Khan et al., 2019 ). However, diverting attention away from AMR, including ongoing efforts to reduce inappropriate self-purchasing of antibiotics, which is prevalent across many countries, as well as routine immunisation programmes for existing infectious diseases, will inevitably have a significant impact on future patient care ( Ghosal and Milko, 2020 ; World Health Organization, 2020c ; Health 24, 2020 ; Kalungia et al., 2016 ; Auta et al., 2019 ; Kalungia and Godman, 2019 ; Godman et al., 2020a ; Hofman and Goldstein, 2020 ; Jerving, 2020 ; Lorgelly and Adler, 2020 ; Thornton, 2020 ; UN News, 2020 ; World Health Organisation, 2020d ). Self-purchasing of antibiotics is a particular concern with the clinical presentation of COVID-19 overlapping with other infectious diseases including tuberculosis (TB), viral and bacterial respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia, making a differential diagnosis challenging exacerbated by limited diagnostic facilities in most communities ( Godman et al., 2020b ; Kasozi et al., 2020 ; Ongole et al., 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Ogunleye

Basu

Mueller³

et al. 2020

Front. Pharmacol.

167

215

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: Document current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups. Our Approach: Contextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel. Ongoing Activities: Prevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on Ogunleye et al. COVID-19 in Africa NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: There are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other.

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Section: Rationale Behind the Paper And The Objectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Ogunleye

Basu

Mueller³

et al. 2020

Front. Pharmacol.

167

215

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the pandemic on other diseases and access to essential medicines 22 . For example, according to a newspaper article, the Ministry of Health in Zimbabwe reported a 45% increase in malaria infections compared with 2019 (ref.…”

Section: Kawasaki Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Prospects for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in Africa

et al. 2020

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The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a global pandemic, prompting unprecedented efforts to contain the virus. Many developed countries have implemented widespread testing and have rapidly mobilized research programmes to develop vaccines and therapeutics. However, these approaches may be impractical in Africa, where the infrastructure for testing is poorly developed and owing to the limited manufacturing capacity to produce pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, a large burden of HIV-1 and tuberculosis in Africa could exacerbate the severity of infection and may affect vaccine immunogenicity. This Review discusses global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, with these considerations in mind. We also highlight vaccine and diagnostic production platforms that are being developed in Africa and that could be translated into clinical development through appropriate partnerships for manufacture. ✉ e-mail: Emmanuel.

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“…Additionally, most LMICs are not manufacturers of PPE and diagnostic materials. There were also concerns that a pandemic like COVID-19 may turn attention away from other high priority diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malaria and tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa [10,16]. Consequently, we wanted to document the experiences of a LMIC country that has implemented measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 virus, as well as has addressed some of the concerns with PPE for frontline healthcare staff.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemic in resource-poor countries: challenges, experiences and opportunities in Ghana

Afriyie

Asare

Amponsah

et al. 2020

J Infect Dev Ctries

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The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is seen world-wide. In developing countries, adequate health facilities and staff numbers are a concern. Ghana recorded its first 2 cases of COVID-19 on 12 March 2020. On 30 March 2020, a partial lockdown for 14 days was imposed and later extended along with other measures. By the end of the initial lockdown, 19 April 2020, an estimated 86,000 people had been traced and 68,591 tests performed. Of the 68,591 tests, there were 1,042 (1.5%) positive cases, 9 deaths, and 99 recoveries, with Ghana ranked number one among African countries in administering tests per million people. Ghana’s effective track and trace system, as well as lockdown and other measures, have helped limit mortality with only 85 recorded deaths by 23 June 2020. Scientists from three facilities of the University of Ghana have also successfully sequenced the genomes of COVID-19 from 15 confirmed cases, and the Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana have also helped address shortages by fast-tracking certification of hand sanitizers and local production of 3.6 million standardized personal protective equipment. There has also been the development of prototypes of locally-manufactured mechanical ventilators to meet local need at intensive care units. Most people have also resorted to changing diets and the use of supplements to boost their immune system. Although initial results are encouraging, further research is needed to understand the dynamics of COVID-19 in Ghana and provide additional guidance.

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Covid-19: Keep essential malaria services going during pandemic, urges WHO

Abstract: Deaths from malaria in sub-Saharan Africa could return to levels last seen 20 years ago because of severe disruptions in access to nets and medicines during the covid-19 pandemic, a new modelling analysis has shown.

Cited by 18 publications

References 0 publications

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

Prospects for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in Africa

COVID-19 pandemic in resource-poor countries: challenges, experiences and opportunities in Ghana

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