LABORATORY SERVICES BACKGROUND Laboratory services play a critical role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. As the world moves towards the goal to eliminate HIV, TB and Malaria by 2030, the role of laboratories cannot be understated. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic, a virus that too requires laboratory services for its diagnostics, has…
Covid-19 A FOCUS ON HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH (HRH) BACKGROUND Many African countries continue to face significant challenges to providing adequate health care services due to understaffing, high staff attrition and poor working conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation as HRH, not only for healthcare but also for HIV, TB and Malaria…
HIV/AIDS AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN BACKGROUND Despite great progress made against HIV globally, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately at risk of acquiring new HIV infections. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures, including school closures, further predispose the AGYW at risk. Therefore, policy measures remain a necessity to reduce the…
Background In Africa, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Egypt on 14th of February, 2020.1 By March 2020, several countries had started implementing stricter control measures that include lockdowns, curfews, schools closure, ban on large gatherings (e.g. religious, sports, funerals, and other social events), systematic quarantines, and strict infection control measures.2 On 11th…