health

By Maniraguha Ferdinand

Due to the surge into Covi-19 cases, Rwanda’s capital Kigali has been placed under total lockdown since this Monday, 18^th January 2021.

The announcement was made this Monday after a cabinet meeting that was chaired by President Paul Kagame.

In one week, Rwanda has recorded more than 1400 Covid-19 cases, with 22 deaths. Over 60 % of total cases have been found in Kigali.

Schools, businesses and public transport were banned in the capital during next 15 days. According to the statement, only essential services like medical, banks and food shopping are allowed.

Dr Ngamije Daniel, Minister of Health told national television that lockdown was the only option ‘to put down’ the increase of cases, as Rwanda awaits vaccine in coming weeks.

The move comes a day after government shut down all schools in Kigali, due to the increase in Covid-19 cases over recent weeks.

Since March last year, Rwanda has recorded 11 032 where 142 have died.

By Jorge Joaquim

The Mozambican government decided to tights restrictive measures in an attempt to halt the rapid spread of Covid-19 in the country, where four per cent of patients infected had needed hospitalization, and 0.9 per cent had died.

In an address broadcast to the nation on Wednesday night, President Filipe Nyusi stressed that the Covid-19 situation has deteriorated dramatically since the New Year, what obligated the Council of Ministers to decide to reactivate several measures, which had been relaxed, or scrapped, in December.

Thus all bars and stalls selling alcoholic drinks must close. Bars had been closed when the first state of emergency had been declared on 1 April, but a decree of 17 December allowed them to re-open. Other leisure activities that must close include discotheques, casinos, and games rooms.

Gymnasiums, swimming pools and other places for the practice of physical exercise must also close, and cultural activities in places such as cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries and the like are suspended.

The opening hours for restaurants (which had largely escaped the earlier restrictions) are from 06.00 to 20.00 Mondays to Fridays, and 06.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays and Sundays. All shops and other commercial establishments must close not later than 18.00 every day.

Bottle stores can open from 08.00 to 13.00 Monday to Saturday, but must close on Sundays. Drinking alcohol on the premises is forbidden. The areas in supermarkets which sell alcohol are subject to the same restrictions as bottle stores, and so the owners must partition off these areas and close them at 13.00. No new licences for bottle stores will be issued.

The new regulations also close, once again, the country’s beaches. No-one may swim or practice sport on the beaches. Citizens may walk along them, but not in large groups.

Nyusi announced that national sports championships will go ahead, but will be closed to the public.

Private events, including weddings and birthday parties, can have no more than 30 participants, if held in a closed space, or 50 if held in the open air. They must finish no later than 20.00.

No more than 50 people may attend any religious service, and attendance at funerals is limited to 20 (and, if the deceased died from Covid-19, only ten participants are allowed).

The government moved to end the lengthy queues seen recently at a public offices as citizens attempt to renew documents such as identity cards or driving licences. All official documents that have expired are now considered valid until 31 May 2021.

Wherever possible, the staff of both public and private institutions should work from home, and people who have respiratory problems, or are running a fever, must not go to their workplaces or to any schools.

Nyusi announced that anyone entering the country must have a negative Covid-19 test result. Truck drivers will be expected to show test results at control posts set up inside the country.

Non-compliance with these measures will constitute a criminal offence.

All measures announced previously remain valid if they do not contradict the new decree. This includes, the obligatory wearing of masks on buses, minibuses, in markets or anywhere else that crowds are likely to gather.

The new government decree takes effect today. Nyusi said the measures will be reviewed in three weeks. If citizens behaved responsibly, then it might be possible to relax the measures “so that we can return to a normal, or near normal, life”.

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 20.556, dont 20.555 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 628 décès  (627 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.774 personnes guéries.
 

• 77 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 54 à Kinshasa, 14 dans le Haut-Katanga, 8 au Nord-Kivu et 1 au Kassaï Central ;
• 413 échantillons testés ;
• 2 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo à Kinshasa ;
• 4 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile à Kinshasa ;
• Les coupures d’électricité se prolongent dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 77 nouveaux cas confirmés, 2 décès et 4 guéris jeudi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 20.003, dont 20.002 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 626 décès  (625 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.767 personnes guéries.

• 296 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 273 à Kinshasa, 16 au Kongo Central, 4 au Sud-Kivu et 3 au Kassaï Central ;  
• 1.057 échantillons testés ;
• 1 nouveau décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo ;
• Aucune nouvelle personne n’est sortie guérie des CTCo, ni parmi les personnes suivies à domicile ;
• La République démocratique du Congo a dépassé la barre de vingt mille cas de coronavirus ;
• Les coupures d’électricité se prologent dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            15.817 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu            :              1.246 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            1.214 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            536 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            445 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            224 cas ;
• Lualaba                :              173 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            99 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Equateur           :            48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi    :            40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            12 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                  :            2 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 273 nouveaux cas confirmés et 1 décès mardi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 20.003, dont 20.002 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 626 décès  (625 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.767 personnes guéries.

• 296 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 273 à Kinshasa, 16 au Kongo Central, 4 au Sud-Kivu et 3 au Kassaï Central ;  
• 1.057 échantillons testés ;
• 1 nouveau décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo ;
• Aucune nouvelle personne n’est sortie guérie des CTCo, ni parmi les personnes suivies à domicile ;
• La République démocratique du Congo a dépassé la barre de vingt mille cas de coronavirus ;
• Les coupures d’électricité se prologent dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            15.817 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu            :              1.246 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            1.214 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            536 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            445 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            224 cas ;
• Lualaba                :              173 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            99 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Equateur           :            48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi    :            40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            12 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                  :            2 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 273 nouveaux cas confirmés et 1 décès mardi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Le ministre de la santé du gouvernement central de la République démocratique du Congo, Eteni Longondo a émis un jugement de satisfaction suite aux résultats des  essais cliniques réalisés à base du medicament Manacovid du Centre de recherche pharmaceutique de Luozi (CRPL) et inventeur de ce médicament.

Le Docteur Eteni Longondo a exprimé cette satisfaction dans une correspondance dont une copie est parvenue à la redaction de matininfos.net ce lundi 11 janvier 2020.
 
“Je note avec satisfaction, les résultats obtenus des essais cliniques réalisés dans l’une de nos formations hospitaliers”, indique-t-il dans cette correspondance.
 
Tout en signalant que les rapports fournis des services de son ministère ont fait également état d’une conclusion positive sur les résultats des essais cliniques de ce remède.

“Ces résultats des essais cliniques étant concluant et significatifs selon le rapport des investigateurs, le ministère de la santé, à travers la Direction de la pharmacie et du médicament, vous accompagnera pour la suite du processus afin que les personnes malades de Covid-19 puissent trouver en ce médoicament un remède efficace et sûr”, poursuit-il.
 
Manacovid est une invention 100% congolaise produit à base de plante naturelle contre la covid19. C’est depuis le lundi 14 décembre dernier que le CRPL a obtenu l’autorisation de distribution de ce produit sur toute l’étendue de la RDC afin de lutter contre la Covid19.
 
A noter que l’inventeur de ce remède est le célébre pharmacien congolais Batangu Mpesa autrement appelé Manadiar.

Jules Ninda

L’article RDC/Covid-19: Enfin, le Ministère de la santé juge satisfaisant et homologue le Manacovid est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 18.159, dont 18.158 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 611 décès  (610 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.743 personnes guéries.

•  190  nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 155 à Kinshasa, 12 au Sud-Kivu, 11 au Kongo Central, 7 au Nord-Kivu,  4 dans le Haut-Katanga et 1 au Lualaba ;  
• 824 échantillons testés ;
• Aucun nouveau décès parmi les cas confirmés dans les CTCo ;
• Aucune nouvelle personne n’est sortie guérie des CTCo, ni parmi les personnes suivies à domicile ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            15.060 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu         :            1.244 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            1.157 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            531 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            434 cas ;
• Ituri                      :              224 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            169 cas ;
• Tshopo                 :              99 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé           :              94 cas ;
• Equateur             :              48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi      :              40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            9 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                  :            2 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 190  nouveaux cas confirmés dont 155 à Kinshasa est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 18.969, dont 18.968 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 611 décès  (610 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.743 personnes guéries.

• 231  nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 161 à Kinshasa, 62 au Kongo Central, 4 dans le Haut-Katanga, 2 en Ituri, 1 au Lualaba et 1 à la Tshopo ;  
• 504 échantillons testés ;
• 1 nouveau décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo à Kinshasa ;
• 8 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile  à Kinshasa ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            14.905 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu         :            1.237 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            1.140 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            527 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            423 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            224 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            168 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            99 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Equateur           :            48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi    :            40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            9 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                  :            2 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 231 nouveaux cas confirmés, 1 décès et 8 guéris jeudi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 18.738, dont 18.737 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 610 décès  (609 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.735 personnes guéries.

• 251  nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 236 à Kinshasa, 6 dans le Haut-Katanga, 6 au Sud-Kivu et 3 en Ituri ;
• 974 échantillons testés ;
• 11 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo, dont :

• 12 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            14.744 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu            :              1.237 cas ;
• Kongo Central    :              1.078 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            523 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            423 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            222 cas ;
• Lualaba                :              167 cas ;
• Tshopo                 :              98 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé           :              94 cas ;
• Equateur             :              48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi      :              40 cas ;
• Maniema             :              17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central      :              9 cas ;
• Kwilu                    :              8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi         :              7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé              :              6 cas ;
• Tanganyika          :              6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental    :              4 cas ;
• Kasaï                     :              2 cas ;
• Kwango               :              2 cas
• Tshuapa               :              2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami     :              1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 251 nouveaux cas confirmés dont 236 cas à Kinshasa est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Comme prévu par le calendrier scolaire, la reprise des cours après le congé de Noël est en principe pour ce mardi 05 janvier 2021. Mais au vu de la pandémie du Coronavirus, cette reprise des cours est plus que hypothétique et a beaucoup de chance d’être reportée .

Sur une radio de la place, le ministre de l’enseignement primaire, secondaire et technique a conditionné la reprise des cours par l’évolution de la situation épidémiologique au pays.

« La volonté du gouvernement est de protéger les enfants , mettre les enfants à l’abri de cet imputable assassin qui est la covid-19. Si aujourd’hui on se rend compte que la vague continue toujours à augmenter et qu’il n’y a pas la possibilité que les enfants reprennent le chemin de l’école, nous serons obligés de reporter cette date« , a conclut Willy bakonga ministre de l’EPST Willy Bakonga.

Il est à noter que la confirmation de la date de la reprise de cours aura lieu après une rencontre entre le ministre de l’EPST, le ministre de la santé ainsi que la cellule de riposte qui est dirigée par le docteur Muyembe.

Johnny Yombo

L’article RDC : Reprise de cours hypothétique pour ce mardi 05 janvier 2021 est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 18.102, dont 18.101 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 596 décès  (595 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.716 personnes guéries.

• 104 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 62 à Kinshasa, 40 dans le Haut-Katanga et 2 au Lualaba ;  
• 344 échantillons testés ;
• 1 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés des CTCo ;
• Aucune nouvelle personne n’est sortie guérie des CTCo, ni parmi les personnes suivies à domicile à Kinshasa ;
• La République démocratique du Congo a dépassé la barre de dix-huit (18.000) cas de coronavirus ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            14.219 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu         :            1.232 cas ;
• Kongo Central    :              1.026 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            502 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            417 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            196 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            167 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            97 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Equateur           :            48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi    :            40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            9 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                     :              2 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article RDC/Coivd-19 : 104 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 62 à Kinshasa samedi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 17.700, dont 17.699 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 595 décès  (594 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.716 personnes guéries.

• 149 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 96 à Kinshasa, 51 au Kongo Central, 1 dans le Haut-Katanga et 1 Kassaï ;  
• 220 échantillons testés ;
• 4 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés des CTCo à Kinshasa ;
• 15 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile à Kinshasa ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées :  

• Kinshasa            :            14.157 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu            :              1.232 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            1.026 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            462 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            417 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            196 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            165 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            97 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Equateur           :            48 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi    :            40 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Kasaï Central      :              9 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            8 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï                  :            2 cas ;
• Kwango               :              2 cas
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami     :              1 cas.

 */!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 149 nouveaux cas confirmés, 4 décès et 15 guéris vendredi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 17.658, dont 17.657 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 591 décès  (590 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.701 personnes guéries.

• 283 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 275 à Kinshasa, 4 au Sud-Kivu, 1 à l’Equateur, 1 dans le Haut-Katanga, 1 au Kwango et 1 à la Tshopo ;
• 714 échantillons testés ;
• 7 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés des CTCo, dont :
• 5 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés à Kinshasa ;
• 2 nouveaux décès communautaires au Nord-Kivu ;

• 43 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile, dont 40 à Kinshasa et 3 au Nord-Kivu ;
• Les coupures d’électricité deviennent de plus en plus récurrentes dans les différents Centres de traitement Covid-19.

 
N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains.

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 283 nouveaux cas confirmés, 7 décès et 43 guéris mercredi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 16.839, dont 16.838 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 579 décès  (578 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 14.484 personnes guéries.

• 76 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 66 à Kinshasa, 4 dans le Haut-Katanga, 4 au Sud-Kivu et 2 au Kwilu ;
• 434 échantillons testés ;
• 6 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo, dont 4 à Kinshasa et 2 au Nord-Kivu ;
• 502 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile, dont 445 à Kinshasa, 38 au Kongo Central, 7 au Sud-Kivu, 6 à la Tshopo, 5 au Nord-Kivu et 1 en Ituri ;
• Le nombre des personnes guéries de Coronavirus a dépassé la barre de quatorze mille (14.000) en République démocratique du Congo ;
• Harmonisation de la situation épidémiologique du coronavirus du 10 mars au 20 décembre 2020. 

L’article RDC/Covid-19 : 76 nouveaux cas confirmés, 6 décès et 502 guéris samedi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 16.472, dont 16.471 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 573 décès  (572 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 13.982 personnes guéries.

• 190 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 168 à Kinshasa, 18 au Kongo Central, et 4 dans le Haut-Katanga;
• 486 échantillons testés ;
• Aucun nouveau décès parmi les cas confirmés dans les CTCo ;
• Aucune nouvelle personne sortie guérie des CTCo, ni parmi les personnes suivies à domicile ;
• Harmonisation de la situation épidémiologique du coronavirus du 10 mars au 20 décembre 2020. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées : 
 

• Kinshasa            :            12.849 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu            :              1.225 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            893 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            432 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            393 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            196 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            165 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            82 cas ;
• Equateur           :            47 cas ; 
• Nord-Ubangi      :              39 cas ;
• Maniema          :            17 cas ;
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            5 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas :
• Kasaï                  :            1 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            1 cas 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article Covid-19 : La RDC enregistre 190 nouveaux cas dont 168 à Kinshasa est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 15.810, dont 15.809 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 566 décès  (565 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 13.736 personnes guéries.

• 141 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 135 à Kinshasa, 3 à l’Equateur et 3 au Sud-Kivu ;
• 422 échantillons testés ;
• 2 nouveaux décès parmi les cas confirmés des CTCo à Kinshasa ;
• 76 nouvelles personnes sorties guéries dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile, dont 69 à Kinshasa et 7 au Nord-Kivu.
• Harmonisation de la situation épidémiologique du coronavirus du 10 mars au 20 décembre 2020. 

N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 

*Les 22 provinces touchées : 

L’article RDC/Covid-19 : 141 nouveaux cas, 2 décès et 76 guéris lundi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 15.274, dont 15.273 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 369 décès  (368 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 13.310 personnes guéries. 

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

L’article RDC/Covid-19 : 185 nouveaux cas confirmés, 3 déces et 300 guéris vendredi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 15.089, dont 15.088 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 366 décès  (365 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 13.010 personnes guéries.

*/!\ Les données présentées dans ce tableau sont susceptibles de changer ultérieurement, après investigations approfondies et après redistribution des cas et décès dans leurs zones de santé respectives.*

*Rappel des mesures de renforcement de la riposte contre la Covid-19 afin d’éviter la propagation de la deuxième vague en République démocratique du Congo : 
 

•    Instauration du couvre-feu de 21 heures à 05 heures du matin ;
•    Stricte application des gestes barrières, notamment :

1. 1. Le port correct et obligatoire des masques ;
2. 2. Le respect de la distanciation physique ;
3. 3. Le lavage régulier des mains ou l’application de gel hydro alcoolique :
4. 4. La prise de température ;

•    Interdiction des activités publiques, comme :

1. 1. Les marches publiques, les productions artistiques et les kermesses ;
2. 2. Les cérémonies festives et les réunions de plus de dix personnes ;
3. 3. Les  compétitions sportives se font à huis-clos ;
4. 4. Le transport des dépouilles mortelles  directement au lieu d’inhumation, sans aucune autre cérémonie ;
5. 5. Le fonctionnement des églises et des débits de boissons avant le couvre-feu avec strict respect des gestes barrières ;

•    Le respect strict des gestes barrières dans tous les lieux publics et dans les transports publics et privés, notamment dans les transports routier, fluvial ou maritime et aérien ;
•    Pour les activités scolaire et académique :

1. 1. La reprise, à une date ultérieure, des cours au niveau de l’Enseignement supérieur et universitaire   ;
2. 2. Début anticipatif des vacances ;

•    Poursuite de test obligatoire pour les voyageurs en internes et ceux en provenance de l’étranger, ainsi que ceux en partance pour l’étranger ;
•    Circulation, lors du couvre-feu, des personnes munies de l’autorisation spéciale de l’autorité provinciale, à l’exception des personnes se trouvant dans la situation d’urgence sanitaire ;
•    Contrôle strict des présentes mesures par les agents de la Police nationale congolaise (PNC) ;
 
N.B. : Toutes ces mesures seront mises en application à partir du vendredi 18 décembre 2020.

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 159 nouveaux cas, 2 décès et 151 guéris mercredi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

• Investigational New Drug application approved by the FDA for COVID-19 candidate vaccine, allowing BAT to progress into a Phase I clinical trial in adult volunteers
• Vaccine candidate created using innovative plant-based technology
• Vaccines manufactured using BAT’s vaccine platform have the potential to be stable at room temperature which could offer significant advantages
• Study demonstrates BAT’s commitment to delivering science and innovation that build A Better Tomorrow

NAIROBI, Kenya, December 16, 2020 -/ African Media Agency(AMA)/- BAT’s US Bio-tech arm, Kentucky BioProcessing (KBP) today announced plans to commence a Phase I, first-time-in-human study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate following approval of its Investigational New Drug application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Enrolment for the study is expected to begin shortly.

The COVID-19 vaccine candidate (KBP-COVID-19; NCT04473690) will become one of a number of potential vaccines to have progressed beyond pre-clinical testing. The study is designed to enroll a total of 180 healthy volunteers who will be divided into two age cohorts, age 18-49 and age 50-70. Each group will then be subdivided into low and high dose treatment groups (N~45) and randomised 2:1 to receive either the low dose (15 μg KBP-COVID-19 vaccine + 0.5 mg adjuvant) or placebo, or high dose (45 μg KBP-COVID-19 vaccine + 0.5 mg adjuvant) or placebo. Results from the study are expected mid-2021 and, if positive, would allow for continued progress into a Phase 2 study, subject to regulatory approval.

The candidate vaccine has been developed using KBP’s innovative fast-growing plant-based technology. This unique approach has a number of possible advantages, including the rapid production of the vaccine’s active ingredients in around 6-weeks, compared to several months using conventional methods. The candidate vaccine also has the potential to be stable at room temperature, which could be a significant advantage for healthcare systems and public health networks worldwide. If successful, the speed of production of the active ingredients has the potential to reduce the time between identifying new viruses and strains, and vaccine development and deployment to those who need it.

KBP is conducting and recently completed enrolment for a Phase I clinical study of its quadrivalent (four-strain) influenza vaccine candidate (KBP-V001; NCT04439695), which uses the same nicotiana benthamiana plant-based technology platform.

Dr David O’Reilly, BAT’s Director of Scientific Research said:

“Moving into human trials with both our COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccine candidates is a significant milestone and reflects our considerable efforts to accelerate the development of our emerging biologicals portfolio. It is our unique plant-based vaccine technology, which acts as a fast, efficient host for the production of antigens for a variety of diseases, that has enabled us to make this progress and respond to the urgent global need for safe and effective treatments and vaccines.

With both vaccines reaching these important milestones, the science around tobacco plant-based vaccine development and the unique platform continue to gain momentum.

Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, BAT Kenya’s Managing Director said:

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and science, which are fundamental to our business. As a company committed to building A Better Tomorrow, we are proud to play our part in the global fight against this virus and – hopefully – we can contribute to the solution.”

For queries, contact: Email: caroline_mavuti@bat.com / Visit our websites at www.bat.com / www.batkenya.com.

Notes to Editors
The COVID-19 candidate vaccine in development uses KBP’s proprietary, fast-growing plant technology which has several potential advantages over conventional vaccine production technology:

• Tobacco plants cannot host pathogens which cause human disease
• Production may be faster because the elements of the vaccine accumulate in tobacco plants quickly – 6 weeks in tobacco plants versus several months using conventional methods
• The vaccine formulation being developed has potential to be stable at room temperature, unlike many other conventional vaccines which often require refrigeration

BAT/KBP’s candidate COVID-19 vaccine, KBP-COVID-19, is not currently approved or licensed for use anywhere in the world.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains certain forward-looking statements, including “forward-looking” statements made within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook”, “target” and similar expressions. These include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the BAT Group operates.

All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual future financial condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and results expressed in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this communication. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to the following: the impact of competition from illicit trade; the impact of adverse domestic or international legislation and regulation; changes in domestic or international tax laws and rates and the impact of an unfavourable ruling by a tax authority in a disputed area; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes and the effect of such outcomes on the BAT Group’s financial condition; changes or differences in domestic or international economic or political conditions; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse decisions by domestic or international regulatory bodies; the impact of market size reduction and consumer down-trading; translational and transactional foreign exchange rate exposure; the impact of serious injury, illness or death in the workplace; the ability to maintain credit ratings and to fund the business under the current capital structure; the inability to develop, commercialise and rollout New Categories; and changes in the market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the BAT Group.

It is believed that the expectations reflected in this communication are reasonable, but they may be affected by a wide range of variables that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of preparation of this communication and BAT undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

No statement in this communication is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this communication should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of BAT for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of BAT.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in BAT’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on 26 March 2020 and Current Reports on Form 6-K, which may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov, and the Company’s Annual Reports, which may be obtained free of charge from the British American Tobacco website www.bat.com.

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 14.942, dont 14.941 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu 364 décès  (363 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 12.859 personnes guéries.

• 345 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 298 à Kinshasa, 29 au Kongo Central, 12 au Maniema, 4 à l’Equateur et 2 dans le Haut-Katanga ;
• 623 échantillons testés ;
• 6 nouveaux décès des cas confirmés dans les CTCo à Kinshasa ;
• 86 nouvelles personnes guéries sorties dans les CTCo et parmi les personnes suivies à domicile à Kinshasa.

 N.B : Le test Covid-19 est gratuit pour tout le monde en République démocratique du Congo. Cependant, le test des voyageurs est payant à 30 dollars américains. 
 
*Les 22 provinces touchées : 

• Kinshasa            :            11.627 cas ;
• Nord-Kivu         :            1.190 cas ;
• Kongo Central  :            713 cas ;
• Haut-Katanga   :            403 cas ;
• Sud-Kivu            :            375 cas ;
• Ituri                   :            188 cas ;
• Lualaba                           :            145 cas ;
• Haut-Uélé         :            94 cas ;
• Tshopo              :            81 cas ;
• Nord-Ubangi    :            38 cas ;
• Equateur           :            26 cas ; 
• Maniema          :            24 cas ; 
• Sud-Ubangi       :            7 cas ;
• Bas-Uélé           :            6 cas ;
• Kwilu                 :            6 cas ;
• Tanganyika       :            6 cas ;
• Kasaï Central    :            4 cas ;
• Kasaï  Oriental  :            4 cas ;
• Tshuapa            :            2 cas ;
• Haut-Lomami   :            1 cas :
• Kasaï                  :            1 cas ;
• Kwango                          :            1 cas ;

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 345 nouveaux cas, 6 décès et 86 guéris mardi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

By Maniraguha Ferdinand

As Coronavirus cases increase, Rwanda has taken tougher measures to curb the spread of the viruses including suspending all national events.

In a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Monday, 14^th December 2020, it was decided to impose curfew that will be starting from 9 PM to 4 AM, however between 22th December and 4^th January 2021 curfew will be starting from 8 PM to 4 AM.

Among other the measures are that social gatherings including wedding ceremonies and celebrations of all kinds are prohibited both in public and private settings. Meetings and conferences should not exceed 30% of venue capacity and participants are required to be tested before.

Public transportation throughout the country will be operating at half capacity while places of worship will operate once a week at no more than half  of maximum occupancy.

The national football premier league games and training camps were suspended except for national football team competitions and clubs involved in international competitions.

Since last week number of daily covid-19 cases increased sharply surpassing one hundred. By Monday 14^th December, Rwanda had recorded 6747 cases with 56 deaths.

By Ahedor Jessica

Primary Health Care in rural Ghana is constraint with requisite tools and resources as a result of inequalities that exist in the health sector. Many women die at child birth or even before reaching the health facilities due to what is known technically as “three delays”- deciding to seek care, reaching the health care facility and receiving timely care.  In Ghana, Maternal mortality is the second leading cause of female mortalities accounting for 14% of all female deaths.

Mercy Appiah a 32 year -old at Krobo-Manhyia says she was fortunate to have survived the incidence which nearly claimed her life. “At 12 am my water broke, my sister called a cab driver who lives 20 miles away from my residence. We couldn’t get the cab and I had to use “aboboya- the tricycle”. The car got stuck on the hills because the roads are not motorable after it the rains. I had to alight from the “car” and walk for it to be pushed. That time I felt my baby’s head was almost coming out but I could not go through vaginal delivery because I had complication and exhausted as well; she said.

Currently, Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio is at 308 per 100 000 live births. Literature on the country’s Maternal Health Survey (GMHS) suggested that about 75% of maternal deaths are linked to direct obstetric factors.

Obstetric Gynecologist, Benedict Affare in Accra says these direct causes of maternal mortality are postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, pre‐eclampsia, and eclampsia, birth complications and unsafe termination of pregnancy within 42 hours.

“These direct causes of maternal mortality can be address but through a vibrant primary health care system and effective education on pregnancy related issues”.

In a publication by Kwesi Frimpong, on “Emerging issues in public health: a perspective on Ghana’s healthcare expenditure, policies and outcomes” financial malfeasance, lack of commitment towards the country’s primary health care delivery are major hurdles. “The major challenges Ghana’s health sector is fraught with are low level priority and financial mismanagement. Though the Ministry of Health has reported increments for the sector in the last few years but those increments are not reflective of the current situation in rural Ghana”.

For Health Economist, Gordon Abekah – Nkrumah, there ought to be investment in education to defeat socio-cultural barriers that bars women from seeking care and the road networks that connect these health centers in rural communities. “Investing in women’s education to enable them understand their right and make informed decisions about their health and in road networks that connect these communities to access care, will improve maternal mortality significantly”.

Before 2000, it was estimated that between 540 and 650 mothers died for every 100,000 live births in Ghana. With this high mortality rate, the Ghana Health Service implemented a number of policies including the antenatal care policy, the safe motherhood initiative and the delivery exemption policy to reduce the financial constraints associated with access to care through the NHIS. Ghana has performed well in reducing maternal mortality as compared to other countries in the sub-region, but there are still a lot to do.

However, the director of monitoring, planning and evaluation at the GHS, Koku Awonoor -Williams asserts removing cost is only one part of addressing maternal death because, there are still issue of limited staffs, systemic issues to work at to deliver quality care. “Working in rural Ghana, I appreciate the cost factor but that is just one part of the challenges. Issues of policy implementations needs to be addressed. Demanding soap, T-roll, etc from patients is deterring the dying women from seeking care.”

KIGALI, Rwanda, December 9, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is currently hosting the first-ever virtual edition of the Next Einstein Forum Global Gathering (NEF-GG), Africa’s largest scientific gathering. Organized against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, under the theme “Building Africa’s resilience through education, research and innovation”, this year’s 3-day event is a shift from the norm as it is taking place through the Airmeet video conferencing platform.

During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health, Rwanda, Hon Dr Daniel Ngamije emphasized the need to stay ahead of the pandemic as he announced the collaboration between the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and the Government of Rwanda to provide adequate software for COVID-19 testing. “The Ministry of Health in Rwanda has closely worked with scientists including Prof Wilfred Ndifon from AIMS and Prof Leon Mutesa from the University of Rwanda to pioneer new methods of screening COVID-19 infections recently published in the International Scientific Journal,” he said.

The highly anticipated plenary discussion on “Finding the next Einstein, preparing Africa to lead in scientific discovery” moderated by AIMS Founder and Board Chair Prof Neil Turok, with top scientists including three Nobel Prize laureates and one Field Medalist focused on the prospects of a generation that could change the face of science. According to Sir Richard J. Roberts, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 1993, the most important factor in making any scientific breakthrough is the ability to enlighten the public in a way they can understand. He also encouraged aspiring scientists to ensure they are passionate about their career paths: “Work isn’t work anymore, it’s a hobby! You also need to remember that it can take a long time before basic research can have practical consequences. So, once you’ve found something you want to do, talk to mentors and teachers, but most importantly, read up on other research,” he explained.

Other panelists shared their personal experiences and why funding is critical for Africans to keep making discoveries. Prof Jacques Marescaux, President, IRCAD France explained in detail how he is able to approach investors. “In my field, what we explain to our investors is that if we want to invent the future of surgery, we need a very strong team of computer scientists and engineers. A cell of donors is always needed in order to complete life changing missions. Thus, Africa needs to engage more government and private partnerships”, he said.

Meanwhile, during the session on Combating disease outbreaks: Preventing future shocks – Focus on Ebola and COVID-19, moderated by NEF Fellow, Dr Sara Suliman, the panel focused on maximizing diagnosis capacity in Africa. Dr Robert deGraft Kwame Agyarko, Lead Advisor, Outbreaks and Epidemics (O&E), African Risk Capacity spoke on the need for Africa to invest in solutions and not only diagnostics. Dr Francisco J. Marmolejo Cossío, Career Development Fellow in Computer Science, University of Oxford added to this by stating the importance of collaboration between laboratory hubs across the continent in order to improve diagnostics, while predicting some of the changes associated with the “new normal.”

The session on “The role of science in informing recovery from global crisis such as COVID-19”, with interventions from Dr Nana Ama Browne Klutse AIMS-Rwanda Research Chair in Climate Change Science, Prof Agnes Binagwaho UGHE Vice Chancellor, Dr Zaheer Allam Research Associate, Deakin University, Australia (NEF Fellow), Prof Jacques Belair, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Montréal University and Dr Tolullah Oni Co-Director of Global Diet and Activity Research Group, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, shed light on how scientific innovation, and business communities’ can partner to support emergency responses and government actions towards socioeconomic recovery.

Women, youth and other vulnerable groups were not left out as a separate session around “The impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable groups such as youth and women” singled out ways of enabling the development of nuanced response measures that factor in existing inequalities. Dr Herine Otieno-Menya, Director of AIMS Teacher Training Program, AIMS Global Network shed some light on the importance of an enabling environment to advance the status of women in science, academia and industry.

The last session for the day centred on Leadership during COVID-19: Best practices and recommendations for futuristic policies. Dr Mama Foupouagnigni, Chief Academic Officer, AIMS Global Network set the tone with a case study of what the academic year entailed for most institutions. “With much effort, we were able to combine both online and face to face interaction. That way, learning didn’t have to stop,” he said.

Additionally, Olivia Bryanne Zank, Founder & CEO shared some of the experiences and lessons the pandemic has taught her organization. “As a company that provides working capital to SMEs in Rwanda, we had to become more committed to understanding the sectors of our clients, alongside their unique challenges. For instance, tourism suffered a heavy blow as a result of the pandemic. We also had to meet increased demand when it came to clients within the health sectors,” she explained. Ms. Aurelia CALABRO, UNIDO Representative, Ethiopia, United Nations Industrial Development concluded by sharing a few of the lessons she learnt from the Ebola crisis. For instance, she stressed the need to work on capacity building projects as a way of lifting those in dire need.

The NEF Fellows Spotlight Session was also set aside to showcase the work of four fellows across health, research and academia. They include Dr Menattallah Elserafy, Assistant Professor, Zewail City of Science and Technology; Dr Geoffrey Henry Siwo, Research Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame; Dr Salome Maswime, Associate Professor, University of Cape Town and Dr Alpha Keita Kabinet, Deputy Director, Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of AIMS.

About AIMS
Founded in 2003, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for post-graduate training in mathematical sciences, research and public engagement in STEM. With centres in South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Rwanda, AIMS is leading Africa’s socio-economic transformation through innovative scientific training, cutting-edge research, and public engagement. With expertly tailored academic and non-academic programs spanning through Centres of Excellence, Research Centres, the AIMS Industry Initiative and Gender-Responsive Teacher Training, AIMS equally created two critical initiatives: Quantum Leap Africa, which aspires to do leading-edge research in quantum science, and the Next Einstein Forum, which is positioning Africa to become an important player in global science. For more information, visit www.nexteinstein.org.

More at nef.org
Twitter: @NextEinsteinFor
Facebook: NextEinsteinForum

Media Contact
Dr Layih Butake
Senior Outreach Manager & Acting Director of Communications, AIMS
Lbutake@nexteinstein.org

Meganne Boho
African Media Agency
Mb@amediaagency.com

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

A new network in Africa aims to combat the “infodemic” of misinformation online surrounding COVID-19 and other health emergencies on the continent, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday. 

NEW YORK, USA, December 05, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-The Africa Infodemic Response Alliance (AIRA), brings together 13 international and regional organizations, together with fact-checking groups which have expertise in data and behavioural science, epidemiology, research, digital health and communications. 

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the Alliance has the unique reach, knowledge and skills to help halt the impact of dangerous misinformation. 

“In health emergencies, misinformation can kill and ensure diseases continue to spread. People need proven, science-based facts to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing, and a glut of information – an infodemic – with misinformation in the mix makes it hard to know what is right and real”, she said.  

Detect, disrupt, debunk 

AIRA is the first initiative of its kind, working to detect, disrupt and counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Africa.  

Since the new coronavirus emerged late last year, digital platforms have been inundated with COVID-19 information, much of which is inaccurate and misleading, said WHO. 

The agency cited statistics from UN Global Pulse, the UN Secretary-General’s initiative on big data and artificial intelligence.  

Between February and November of this year, information about the virus has been shared and viewed over 270 billion times online, and mentioned nearly 40 million times on Twitter and web-based news sites, in the 47 countries of the WHO African Region.  

Although a large proportion of this information is inaccurate and misleading, people continue to share content on social media, whether intentionally or unknowingly, which include conspiracies around unproven treatments, false cures and anti-vaccine messages 

While it is difficult to determine exactly how much misinformation is being circulated, WHO said fact-checking organizations in Africa report that they have debunked more than 1,000 misleading reports since the start of the pandemic. 

Collaboration and support 

Among other efforts, AIRA will work collaboratively to counter false information around COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to complementing public health awareness raising and community engagement efforts, by creating demand for vaccines in the region. 

The Alliance will also support journalists and media outlets to effectively share lifesaving information based on scientific evidence and debunk disinformation on health issues. African countries will also receive assistance in developing tailored infodemic management strategies, including analysing trends and behaviours. 

AIRA members include the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, UN Global Pulse, and the UN Verified initiative: the Organization’s own campaign against pandemic misinformation globally. 

Misinformation: An old enemy

Although COVID-19 represents a new challenge to the global community, the President of the UN General Assembly recalled that the world has seen the dangers of misinformation before, including in response to disease. 

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“The coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has decreased in some places, due to misinformation about the vaccine. Measles has become resurgent. Misinformation has taken us backwards”, President Volkan Bozkir said on Wednesday during an Assembly meeting on sharing best practices for the infodemic. 

He emphasized that trust in institutions is crucial, as “people are more likely to turn to less credible alternative sources of information when they do not trust traditional sources.” 

Mr. Bozkir welcomed steps taken by countries and international organizations to combat the infodemic, as well as UN efforts to counter “the scourge of misinformation, stigmatization and harmful health advice and strengthen trust in science.”

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of UN News.

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, December 3, 2020 -/ African Media Agency(AMA)/- Companies wishing to transform their operations through digital technologies often face a hard choice: stay with a legacy system and make the best of a legacy investment, or transition to a new digital platform but risk causing disruption in the lives of customers, partners and employees.

For one African pharmaceutical company, neither option was suitable, and so an exemplary digital transformation project was initiated that would completely transform its systems without any disruption to the business or its customers.

Kiara Health (Pty) Ltd is an African pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare solutions company headquartered in Johannesburg. It serves as a the local, non-exclusive manufacturing partner for a global top five pharmaceutical company and as a commercial partner for several global pharmaceutical and medical technology companies.

The acquisition by Kiara Health of a multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, sold to fulfil a need for transformation in the local pharmaceutical sector, sees the dawn of a new type of pharmaceutical company that offers an end-to-end solution along the patient journey. Kiara Health, a 100% black-owned company, purchased this plant together with twenty-five marketing authorisations.

Kiara Health’s leadership was left with a vital decision: keep to the highly-customised SAP ECC system of the outgoing multinational company (with cost-prohibitive separation terms), or invest in a standalone cloud-based digital platform to streamline operations. They chose a turn-key ERP system by SAP to support its operations.

Dr Skhumbuzo Ngozwana, CEO and President of Kiara Health, says that the driving force behind the leadership team’s decision was to ensure that their customers do not suffer due to a transition to the new system. “We partnered with Seidor Westrocon and adopted SAP S/4HANA to simplify and automate our end-to-end processes, from product ordering through to production, packaging and distribution. We achieved go-live in four months, and within budget, with no disruption to our business. This implementation is potentially unprecedented in an organisation of similar size and type.”

This decision has proven to be a success story as the transition from the old multinational modified system to the implementation of an off-the-shelf SAP offering ensured that the production facility remained operational throughout the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown period. Without any teething problems that would halt manufacturing, no employee jobs were put at risk due to the lockdown.

“This decision was taken by an extremely agile and highly qualified team of experts within Kiara Health and fully supports President Cyril Ramaphosa’s South African Economic Recovery Plan to generate 800,000 jobs,” says Dr Ngozwana. “Kiara Health sees these executions as part of their mission to progress the health of all on the continent, underpinned by job creation and not ‘job saving’.”

The manufacturing site previously operated on a complex and expensive legacy enterprise resource planning system. However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, local manufacturing capability became more important than ever for new owners, Kiara Health. The company needed a system that could increase throughput by streamlining processes across business areas, and which could place greater control in the hands of the leadership team.

“We consolidated our operations on a standalone cloud-based digital platform with SAP S/4HANA Cloud,” says Dr Ngozwana. “This off-the-shelf solution gave us a flexible yet standardised system that is adaptable to our needs, allowing us to maintain best-practice. It has also future-proofed the digital foundation of our business, and enables our Industry 4.0 aspirations for the future.”

The implementation involved all Kiara Health stakeholders that are currently still involved in ensuring world-class manufacturing from the site. These experts worked in close collaboration with implementation partner Seidor Westrocon to develop a deep understanding of each department’s responsibilities, and how the SAP processes can support them.

“The transition from working in multinational company silos to operating as a team has improved our internal responsiveness and enabled significant value creation across our supply chain, procurement and manufacturing processes,” says Moosa Areff, Kiara Health Chief Operating Officer.

The implementation team streamlined Kiara Health’s procure-to-pay processes to shorten the time between order placement and goods receipt. Following the implementation, the company has reduced its days to close from eight days to one, greatly improving cash planning.

“We have tightly integrated and simplified on-time delivery processes to enable our team to get through work faster and troubleshoot with full visibility,” says Dr Ngozwana. “Each team member can diagnose any challenge to understand what is impacting production or the release of the end-product. The improved usability and support has helped us reduce the total cost of ownership by 10%, while our on-time and in-full delivery performance has improved from 80-85% to 100% – an outstanding achievement.”

Following the implementation, Kiara Health has enjoyed higher settlement discounts and improved brand reputation thanks to direct payment cycles. Costs are also contained due to greater visibility and through leveraging economies-of-scale in the procurement process.

“Our business is now more responsive as our planning and production teams are connected to our warehouse,” says Conrad Strydom, Kiara Health Head of Site . “We are also enjoying greater end-user sourcing compliance and increased savings in sourcing, in both direct and indirect spend. As a whole, the implementation of SAP S/4HANA has empowered our teams to make better decisions and improve the total performance of our business, setting us up for a bright future.”

On Kiara Health’s role in the implementation, Martin Van Wyk, Managing Director of Seidor Westrocon says the collaboration was first class. “The Kiara Health and Seidor Westrocon teams worked unwaveringly during the COVID-19 lockdown in South Africa, and pulled off the project and go-live together. The contribution from the Kiara Health leadership team, with their deep understanding of their business operations, extensive process knowledge and SAP expertise, was a considerable game-changer, making this mammoth task achievable. A big thank you to this team.”

Cameron Beveridge, Regional Director for Southern Africa at SAP, says Kiara Health has reduced complexity in its environment through greater control across its operations. “By building its operations on the powerful S/4HANA digital platform, Kiara Health has achieved immediate business benefits while enabling greater future innovation and easing the process of integrating Industry 4.0 innovations. Transforming its total operations in a mere four months with no impact on product or service delivery is a great accomplishment by Kiara Health and its implementation partner Seidor Westrocon.”

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Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of SAP.

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Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 03, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-More than 3.3 million children have been vaccinated against polio in Chad in a just-concluded immunization drive – one of the largest of its kind in the African region this year as campaigns that were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic resume.

While Africa was declared free of the wild poliovirus in August 2020, another form of polio continues to infect children: circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus, or cVDPV. This type of polio is rare and can only occur in areas where not enough children are immunized, which means that the only way to stop their spread is through immunizations. The current outbreak in Chad was first detected in February 2020, but immunizations were halted due to COVID-19, and the virus spread to 36 districts across the country, paralyzing more than 80 children and even leading to cases in neighbouring Sudan and the Central African Republic

“Viruses do not respect national borders,” said Dr Ndoutabé Modjirom, head of the polio Rapid Response Team at the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region. “Given Chad’s central geographic location and mobile populations, it was important to plan a large-scale campaign that targeted key populations and high-risk areas throughout the country.”

The campaign consisted of two vaccination rounds targeting children in 91 districts located in 16 of Chad’s 23 provinces. The first round was between 13 and 15 November and the second from 27 to 29 November.

After mass polio vaccination campaigns were stopped across Africa due to COVID-19 restrictions, they resumed in July 2020. Altogether, more than 40 million children in 16 countries have now been vaccinated. The response to date in the region overall, and in Chad in particular, demonstrates the commitment by Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners and the countries to stop the virus in the most challenging areas in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The number of children reached since polio campaigns have resumed is extremely encouraging,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “This large-scale campaign in Chad during COVID-19 is a reflection of the region’s commitment and ability to face multiple difficult health challenges and protect the health of all children.”

During the pause in mass polio vaccinations due to COVID-19, Chad’s team of national and international polio experts worked with the Rapid Response Team to track the virus, conduct a risk assessment, and plan an outbreak response campaign to take place as soon as it was safe to do so, taking into account the timelines in the outbreak response standards of practice. Consultations were also held with the national COVID-19 task force to ensure that best practices in infection prevention and control would be followed. The commitment and efforts of the Ministry of Health and of other key national and regional health leaders and partners, including UNICEF, were instrumental in launching the campaign.

“With increased immunizations and the continued commitment of health leaders and partners, we are confident that we will soon see the end of this outbreak and the end of all forms of polio in Africa,” said Dr Jean Bosco Ndihokubwayo, WHO representative for Chad.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of World Health Organization.

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 03, 2020,-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-Because her government aggressively pursued treatment as prevention for people living with HIV, Thembi Dlamini and several women in her support group have been able to counsel each other, give family advice and run an artisanal business. In other words, their government gave them a life together.

Without the availability of the drugs for free, “we would have died,” she says.

It is that pivotal decision and several other critical supporting moves that have enabled Eswatini to become the first country in Africa to achieve the United Nations HIV target: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of them are on life-saving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. The country that once had the world’s highest HIV prevalence did so 10 years ahead of the 2030 goal.

After detecting the first case of HIV in 1986, the country experienced an explosion of HIV cases. Following several waves of new HIV infections and deaths, the government declared HIV a national emergency in 1997 and committed that by 2022 it must no longer be a public health threat.

Propelling concerted action

The government’s decision galvanized a multisector response, considered the foundational success factor. The National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) was established in 2001 to coordinate activities from government to communities, including training for traditional leaders. Housed within the Prime Minister’s Office and funded by the government, NERCHA steered the agenda and programmes towards the goal.

The government’s commitment meant providing free antiretroviral (ART) drugs for HIV patients “We were the first country to say we need to look closely at treatment,” says NERCHA Director Khanya Mabuza. In 2016, the commitment expanded to cover the provision of drugs as soon as someone tested positive.

To ensure uninterrupted treatment programmes, the government procured 80% of antiretroviral drugs, whilst international partners covered the gap, says Dr Vusi Magagula, Director of Health Services.

The government also provided laboratory technologies for CD4 and viral load monitoring. Another critical part of the strategy has been improving patients access to these monitoring and treatment services. Access improved for HIV clients through the implementation of game-changing nurse-led ART policy, where nurses were trained to initiate treatment under the mentorship of doctors from nearby hospitals, with regular oversight provided by PEPFAR partners.

The HIV services at the community primary health care clinics were linked with HIV prevention activities as well as prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, tuberculosis and non-communicable disease services. HIV testing services are routinely provided at all health facilities, and the age of consent for HIV testing was reduced to 12 years.

Early on, in 2009, the government opted to give patients with a stable record of high adherence to their treatment three months’ refill of their medication. Recently and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government accelerated the plan to dispense six months’ refill supplies.

In response to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on continuity of services, the government expanded its community service delivery to take HIV testing, prevention and treatment services (including ART drug distribution) to people through outreach programmes that rely on rural health motivators and HIV treatment adherence support initiatives.  The effect of all these initiatives helped to maintain uninterrupted regimes and to connect with key and vulnerable populations.

Other innovative community approaches common across Eswatini are peer-to-peer support for people living with HIV, mentor-mothers and community adherence treatment supporters for adolescents and young people.

Thembi Dlamini helped start one of the peer-support groups in her Mayiwane community in the northern Hhohho region, which she says includes HIV-negative members. “We do this so that those who have not tested yet can see we all live normal lives. There’s no need for discrimination,” she explains, after describing how she was shunned when she first started living with HIV. “Many people thought I had been bewitched.”

“The community mobilization and HIV communication programmes have influenced change in behaviours on stigma and discrimination and improved HIV service uptake in communities,” says Dr Nomthandazo Lukhele, the World Health Organization (WHO) HIV/TB Officer in Eswatini.

Protecting the success in the pandemic

A critical part of the drug-adherence monitoring has been keeping a close eye on drug resistance. In 2016, the Ministry of Health and PEPFAR carried out two HIV drug resistance surveys, which led to a shift to a new drug in the ART regimen, in line with WHO guidelines.

The combined gravitas of all the interventions led to a 66% decline in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2019, with AIDS-related deaths declining by 49%.

“Eswatini is a small country with a population of just over a million people. Hence, its achievement of the 95-95-95 should be an inspiration to many other countries, as we have shown that it can be done,” says Minister of Health Lizzie Nkosi in an interview.

The country is also showing how to overcome the threat to success that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented. When the lockdown led to declines in immunization, HIV and TB services, the government went into catch-up mode and continues to invest in the capacity, availability and well-being of the health workforce at all levels of the health system.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of World Health Organization.

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)

By Jorge Joaquim

13 African countries and an international network of research institutions have joined forces to launch the largest COVID-19 clinical trial in mild-to-moderate outpatients in Africa.  The ANTICOV clinical trial aims to respond to the urgent need to identify treatments that can be used to treat mild and moderate cases of COVID-19 early and prevent spikes in hospitalization that could overwhelm fragile and already overburdened health systems in Africa.

The clinical trial will be carried out at 19 sites in 13 countries by the ANTICOV consortium, which includes 26 prominent African and global research and development (R&D) organizations, coordinated by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), an international non-profit drug research and development (R&D) group with extensive partnerships in Africa.

“There is a need for large clinical trials in Africa for COVID-19 to answer research questions that are specific to an African context,” said Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. “African countries have mounted an impressive response so far to COVID-19 and now is the time to prepare for future waves of the disease”.

ANTICOV is an open-label, randomised, comparative, ‘adaptive platform trial’ that will test the safety and efficacy of treatments in 2,000 to 3,000 mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sudan, and Uganda. ANTICOV aims to identify early treatments that can prevent progression of COVID-19 to severe disease and potentially limit transmission.

“Africa has for the most part avoided the large-scale mortality seen in other countries, but with lockdowns ending and borders opening, we need to be prepared” said Dr Borna Nyaoke-Anoke, Senior Clinical Project Manager at DNDi, which is also the sponsor for clinical trials in the DRC, Kenya, and Sudan.  “We need research here in Africa that will inform policies and test-and-treat strategies, so that as clinicians we can give the best options to people with COVID-19.”

Initially, ANTICOV will focus on drugs where large-scale randomized clinical trials could provide missing efficacy data in mild-to-moderate patients. The trial will begin testing, against a control arm, the HIV antiretroviral combination lopinavir/ritonavir and the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which remains the standard of care for COVID-19 today in numerous African countries.

Depuis le début de l’épidémie déclarée le 10 mars 2020, le cumul des cas est de 12.365, dont 12.364 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable. Au total, il y a eu  331 décès  (330 cas confirmés et 1 cas probable) et 11.433 personnes guéries.   

• 55 nouveaux cas confirmés, dont 46 à Kinshasa, 6 au Kongo Central, 2 au Sud-Kivu et 1 dans le Haut-Katanga ;

L’article Covid-19 en RDC : 55 nouveaux cas enregistrés mardi est apparu en premier sur Matininfos.NET – Information de la RDC en toute impartialité.

Source: Matininfos

Source : African Media Agency (AMA)