World Health Organization response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa

On 5 January 2020, the WHO notified the world about "pneumonia of unknown cause" in China and subsequently followed up with investigating the disease. On 20 January, the WHO confirmed human-to-human transmission of the disease. On 30 January, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and warned all countries to prepare. On 11 March, the WHO said that the outbreak constituted a pandemic. By 5 October the same year, the WHO estimated that a tenth of the world's population had been infected with the novel virus.

The WHO has spearheaded several initiatives like the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to raise money for the pandemic response, the UN COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force, and the solidarity trial for investigating potential treatment options for the disease.

In responding to the outbreak, the WHO has had to deal with political conflicts between member states, in particular between the United States and China.[1][2] On May 19, the WHO agreed to an independent investigation into its handling of the pandemic. On August 27, the WHO announced the setting up of an independent expert Review Committee to examine aspects of the international treaty that governs preparedness and response to health emergencies.

Timeline
  • On 27 July, the Head of WHO claimed he would reconvene the agency's emergency committee to assess the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
  • On 3 August, the Head of WHO claimed there was a possibility a 'silver bullet' answer to defeating the COVID-19 virus might never happen.[4]
  • On 6 August, the Head of WHO claimed economic recovery all over the world could come quicker if there was COVID-19 vaccine available to all.[5]
  • On 21 August, UNICEF and WHO urged the governments in Africa reopen schools.[6]
  • On 22 August, the head of WHO claimed he hopes COVID-19 would be over in less than two years.[7]
  • On 26 August, WHO claimed it was set to partner the World Federation of Science Journalists in the communication of intricate science of COVID-19 accurately as it evolves.[8]
  • On 1 September, WHO published its first survey on the impact of COVID-19 on health systems in about 105 countries' reports.[9]
  • On 11 September, WHO and CDC launched a new laboratory network aiming to enforce genome sequencing of the virus in Africa.[10]
  • On 14 September, according to WHO, the number of daily worldwide infections reached a new record with more than 300,000 confirmed new infections.[11]
  • On 20 September, WHO agreed on rules for testing of African herbal remedies to fight against the virus.[12]
  • On 25 September, WHO brought together a panel of experts who listed some factors that might have pushed down the spread of COVID-19 in Africa.[13]
  • On 6 October, WHO claimed one in ten persons across the globe might have contracted the virus.[14]
  • On 13 October, the Head of WHO ruled out a herd immunity response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
  • On 16 October, WHO cautioned that Africa can not stand a second wave of the pandemic.[16]
  • On 31 October, the Director of WHO in Africa claimed innovations in COVID-19 played a role in the spread of the virus in Africa.[17]
  • On 12 November, the Head of WHO cautioned countries to continue observing the safety protocols to stop the spread of the virus as the globe awaits the vaccine.[18]
  • On 19 November, the Regional Director for WHO for Africa predicted a rise in the virus during the Christmas and New Year holidays due to the increase of gatherings.[19]
  • On 24 November, the Regional Director for WHO for Africa called for cautiousness because there was a possibility of rise in the COVID-19 cases.[20]
  • On 27 December, the Chief of WHO claimed COVID-19 would not be the final pandemic.[21]
  • On 28 December, WHO claimed there was the need for Africa to reinforce public health measures to curb the spread of infections especially as there was gathering and traveling for celebrations.[22]
  • On 11 January, WHO claimed herd immunity to COVID-19 would not be gained in 2021.[23]
  • On 23 January, WHO gave some fund to the Ghana National Ambulance Service to purchase fuel.[24]
  • On 24 January, WHO donated medical items and supplies to MoH.[25]
  • On 27 January, WHO issued some guidelines for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients,[26][27] and also cautioned against continuous transmission of the virus.[28]
  • On 30 January, WHO claimed it was safe for pregnant women to take the COVID-19 vaccine.[29]

References
  1. Boseley, Sarah (18 February 2020). "China's handling of coronavirus is a diplomatic challenge for WHO". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  2. Griffiths, James. "WHO's relationship with China under scrutiny due to coronavirus crisis". CNN. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  3. "COVID-19: 'A long hard road ahead of us' – WHO". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  4. "COVID-19: WHO warns there might not be a 'silver bullet ' solution". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
  5. "Making COVID-19 vaccine available to all could fasten global recovery- WHO". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  6. "WHO and Unicef urge reopening of schools in Africa". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  7. "Coronavirus pandemic could be over within two years - WHO head". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-08-22. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  8. "WHO training more journalists on coronavirus reporting". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-08-26. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  9. "COVID-19: WHO survey reveals widespread disruptions to essential health services". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  10. "WHO and Africa CDC launch COVID-19 genome sequencing lab". citinewsroom.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  11. "COVID-19: World records highest daily rise". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  12. "COVID-19: WHO sets rules for testing African remedies". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  13. "Experts explain Africa's coronavirus infection drop". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  14. "One in ten worldwide may have had COVID-19 -WHO". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  15. "Coronavirus: WHO head calls herd immunity approach immoral". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-10-13. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  16. "Africa 'can't afford' a second coronavirus wave -WHO". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  17. "Coronavirus: Innovations are key to containing spread in Africa". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-10-31.
  18. "WHO chief urges vigilance as world waits for coronavirus vaccine – MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  19. "WHO predicts spike in COVID-19 cases ahead of Christmas". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  20. "WHO warns of high Coronavirus cases at Christmas". www.ghanaweb.com. 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  21. "Covid-19 will not be last pandemic: WHO". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-12-27.
  22. "Stronger action needed as African countries see steady Covid-19 rise". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  23. "COVID herd immunity will not happen in 2021, says WHO - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  24. "Coronavirus: WHO gives Ambulance Service GH¢72k for fuel". www.ghanaweb.com. 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  25. "WHO donates over GH¢ 2.1m coronavirus support to MoH". www.ghanaweb.com. 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
  26. "WHO recommends follow-up care, low-dose anticoagulants for Covid-19 patients - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  27. "WHO recommends new advice for COVID-19 treatment". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  28. "WHO official warns of continued transmission of coronavirus even after wide vaccinations". www.ghanaweb.com. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  29. "Pregnant women may receive Covid vaccines safely - WHO - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.