Thursday, Mar 28 2024 | Time 21:49 Hrs(IST)
image
World


COVID-19 spurs health innovations in Africa: WHO

COVID-19 spurs health innovations in Africa: WHO

Nairobi, Oct 30 (UNI) A senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Friday that African youth have come up with innovations that pose health challenges during the Coronavirus epidemic.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said the continent is currently the new frontier for health innovations spurred by the pandemic.
"COVID-19 is one of the most serious health challenges in a generation, but it is also an opportunity to drive forward innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship in life-saving health technologies," Moeti said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
A WHO analysis indicates that more than 120 health innovations have been piloted in Africa since the pandemic was reported in the continent early this year.
Africa accounts for 12.8 percent of 1,000 new or modified technologies that have been developed globally to strengthen COVID-19 response in key areas like surveillance, contact tracing and treatment.
"It is great to see the youthful energy of the continent fired up to fight COVID-19," Moeti said. "Solar-powered automatic handwashing tools, mobile applications that build on Africa's rapidly growing connectivity... these home-grown innovations are uniquely adapted to the African context."
According to the WHO analysis, 57.8 percent of health technologies and innovations in Africa were driven by information and communications technology (ICT).
The analysis cited ICT-based innovations such as WhatsApp chatbots in South Africa.
South Africa had the highest number of health innovations linked to COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is encouraging to see a flood of health innovations in Africa during the epidemic era, Moeti said, adding that a strong policy and regulatory environment and financing are key to realizing long-term benefits.
UNI XC-GNK 1903

More News

France's Le Pen accuses gov't of 'pickpocketing' French in attempt to cut budget deficit

28 Mar 2024 | 4:19 PM

Paris, Mar 28 (UNI) Marine Le Pen, the leader of the French right-wing National Rally Party's parliamentary faction, has said that the government's reform of social security for the unemployed is an attempt to "pickpocket" the French to reduce the national budget deficit caused by the authorities' failures.

see more..

Turkish Prez's admin denies claims economic outlook grim for next 1 5 yrs

28 Mar 2024 | 4:19 PM

Ankara, Mar 28 (UNI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration has denied social media claims that a long, tough period lies before the country's economy for a year and a half, accusing those who disseminate this disinformation and stoking panic ahead of the municipal elections slated for Sunday.

see more..

US agencies didn't share all data about threat of terror attack with Russia: NYT

28 Mar 2024 | 4:12 PM

Washington, Mar 28 (UNI) US intelligence agencies did not provide the Russian side with all the information they had about the threat of a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow Region, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing European and US security officials.

see more..

Russia working with China, Turkey, UAE on payments constructively

28 Mar 2024 | 4:07 PM

Moscow, Mar 28 (UNI) Russia is working with China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates on the issue of payments very constructively and takes into account the possibility of pressure from the United States and the European Union, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

see more..

Over 12,500 criminal suspects apprehended in Afghan

28 Mar 2024 | 3:29 PM

Kabul, Mar 28 (UNI) The Afghan police have arrested 12,540 suspects criminal over the past six months across the country, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Thursday.

see more..
image