News

Op-Ed

The Blind Spot in Africa’s COVID-19 Response: Western Public Health Tactics Won’t Work – This Local Solution Might

Next Billion

BY Anatole Manzi — With more than 66,373 COVID-19 cases and 2,336 deaths reported in 53 African countries, and minimal testing available, the pandemic is primed to spread. Predictions of its impact are dire. With just one doctor per 5,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa and about one nurse or midwife per 1,000 people, a major outbreak would quickly overwhelm the continent’s health …

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Op-Ed

Africa’s Population is Aging and It Needs Social Protection

Al Jazeera

BY Meti Bekele Nega — As the world continues to grapple with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, many in Africa are worried not only about its spread but about the pandemic’s long-term economic consequences as well. But long before our attention was captured by this virus, African governments were already ignoring an increasingly important factor in …

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Op-Ed

African Pandemic Solutions Require Integrated Approach

Health-E News

BY Webster Mavhu — Covid-19 still threatens to wreak havoc across Africa with the World Health Organisation (WHO) projecting almost 200 000 deaths. But we must not ignore the threat from other diseases – now neglected – as we tackle this ongoing pandemic.  The WHO has warned that deaths from malaria could double across sub-Saharan Africa this year, if prevention efforts are disrupted by Covid-19. Indeed, we are already witnessing a rise in malaria …

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Op-Ed

Will Men Respond to COVID-19’s Health Call?

All Africa

BY Webster Mavhu — The latest data from New York tells us that the novel coronavirus is killing men at twice the rate of women. Death rates are higher around the world, including China, France, Italy and South Korea. Reasons for the gender disparity are unknown, although possible explanations have begun to emerge. However, whatever the underlying cause turns …

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Op-Ed

How South Africa Can Address Digital Inequalities in e-Learning

The Conversation

BY Mmaki Jantjies — South Africa’s education system is complex, with historical inequalities dating back to apartheid. Most of the country’s pupils come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Language is an issue; most pupils do not speak English as a mother tongue, yet English dominates in many classrooms. And, as the COVID-19 crisis has showed, there’s a huge digital divide at play. The …

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