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Uganda Uses Recent Outbreak Experience to Prepare for Coronavirus

As the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) spreads to low-income countries including Uganda, health authorities have intensified prevention measures that have been lauded by donors and the general public. There is no confirmed case in the country so far, but the measures in place are evidence of a country that knows too-well, the social and economic consequences of disease outbreaks with epidemic potential.

Disease outbreaks not new to Uganda

Sierra Leone institutes additional COVID-19 preparedness and response measures

Sierra Leone has instituted travel restrictions as additional precautionary and extraordinary measures in preparedness to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. A statement issued on 16 March by the Office of the President prohibits all overseas travel for all government officials and urged the general public to “refrain, as far as possible, from overseas travel until further notice”. The directive further bans all public gatherings of more than 100 people.

“Being a woman, serving humanity spurs me to greater heights”, - female, WHO hard-to...

Maiduguri, 16 March 2020 - “Sometimes, I feel disadvantaged. Sometimes, I feel threatened. But at all times, I am motivated by the fact that being a woman and rendering healthcare services to humanity spur me to greater heights,” says Binta, a community health extension worker in Kwaya Kusar, Borno state. “In my five years of working experience with the hard-to-reach team, this has become my daily mantra and greatest source of motivation” she added.

Africa is one-step away from wild polio eradication verdict

Abuja, 16 March 2020 – The African region completes a critical step towards wild polio eradication as the independent commission to decide on the African Region’s wild poliovirus-free status has concluded its final field visit to Nigeria, after conducting critical review and analysis to verify the draft documentation attesting to the country’s polio-free status. 

First Case of COVID-19 confirmed in Rwanda

The Ministry of Health of Rwanda has reported the country’s first case of COVID-19, an Indian citizen, male.  The transmission is believed to have occurred abroad.  The patient who arrived from Mumbai, India on 08 March 2020 has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient had no symptoms upon arrival in Rwanda and reported himself to a health facility on 13 March, where he was immediately tested. He is currently under treatment in stable conditions, isolated from other patients. 

Over 3.4 million persons vaccinated against Yellow Fever in Rivers State

Port Harcourt, 12 March 2020 - “All four members of my family have been vaccinated against yellow fever in this ongoing vaccination campaign,” says Tonma Oruye. 

“It’s a good thing that the government is administering this vaccination free of charge, this shows how concerned they are with the people’s health. I made sure everyone in my household got vaccinated, my husband, myself and the children. I encourage others do the same."

Africa is one-step away from wild polio eradication verdict

The African region completes a critical step towards wild polio eradication as the independent commission to decide on the African Region’s wild poliovirus-free status has concluded its final field visit to Nigeria today, after conducting critical analysis to verify the documentation presented by the Nigerian Government. 

First case of COVID-19 confirmed in Ethiopia

The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The case, which was announced on the 13th of March 2020, is the first one to be reported in Ethiopia since the beginning of the outbreak in China in December 2019.