The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr.
Matshidiso Moeti; has said that COVID-19 has resulted into 17,000
cases in African countries.
According to her, out of the confirmed cases, 900 deaths were recorded
across the continent.
She said that since the detection of deadly virus, the disease has now
spread to nearly every country in Africa.
Dr. Moeti Thursday in a statement in Maiduguri; disclosed: “While
South Africa has sub-Saharan Africa’s most severe outbreak, West and
Central Africa are of growing concern.”
She said Cameroon has confirmed more than 800 cases, while Niger, Cote
d’Ivoire and Guinea have reported a rapid rise in numbers during the
past week.
While lamenting on rising cases of COVID-19, she said: “Eleven out of
17 countries with more than 100 cases of COVID-19 are in West and
Central Africa.
“We are working with the governments to better understand what is
happening on the ground,” noting that this is worrisome as countries
in these sub-regions often have fragile health systems.
She warned that crucial medical equipment needed to respond to
COVID-19 is lacking in many countries.
According to Moeti; WHO has been working with World Food Programme
(WFP), African Union (AU), national governments and the Jack Ma
foundation to make sure that vital supplies get to the people who need
it most, including front line health workers.
“In the last two days eight African countries have received their
COVID-19 medical equipment,” she said.
She said for countries to ramp up testing, tracing and treatment
capacity, they need supplies and solidarity.
Moeti also assured that there is enough personal protective equipment
(PPE) in this shipment to allow health workers from across Africa to
treat 30, 000 patients without putting themselves at risk.
“This equipment will keep them safe, while focusing of saving people’s
lives,” she assured, adding that cargo flights demonstrate the power
of international cooperation and collective action.
On delivering medical equipment challenges, she said: “With several
borders closed and flights cancelled, ensuring countries receive
deliveries of much-needed medical equipment has become increasingly
difficult.
Moeti therefore; called for humanitarian corridors and this week’s
‘Solidarity Flights’ are delivering essential supplies to every
country in Africa.
The medical cargo, according to her, contains face shields, gloves,
goggles, gowns, masks, medical aprons and thermometers, as well as
more than 400 ventilators.
She also lamented that lack of personal protective equipment is
already hampering response in many countries in Africa.
