Africa UN Knowledge Hub for COVID-19

Prof. Agnes Binagwaho, M.D., MPEd, Ph.D. — vice-chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity in Kigali, Rwanda — and her research associate Kedest Mathewos explain why African countries fared much better than their Western counterparts in the fight against COVID-19.

As COVID-19 swept across the globe, one thing became clear: a well-functioning, well-resourced, agile and resilient health system can mean the difference between life and death.

For Africa, the economic costs of the health pandemic were high. The prescription was often worse than the illness as Africa’s poor found themselves without work, food and even access to health care as economies were locked down across the continent in a bid to contain the virus.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$400 million program to support Morocco’ social protection system, as part of the kingdom’s sweeping reforms to strengthen its social safety nets. The Morocco COVID-19 Social Protection Emergency Response Project will support poor and vulnerable households during the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforce their resilience to future shocks.

This case study examines the deliberative and participatory processes used by Slum Dwellers International (SDI), focusing on two affiliated federations in Kenya and Malawi. It describes the ways in which participatory mechanisms have allowed SDI federations to self-organise and engage with policymakers at local, national and global level to respond to challenges, including COVID-19. It also reflects on the use of digital tools to strengthen community mobilisation, community data generation and learning processes.

This seminar took stock of where countries find themselves with respect to the pandemic and explored the present context for evaluating the ethics of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.

The menstrual health of people living with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria should be factored into pandemic responses.

Summary of best evidence available, including on what has worked so far during the pandemic, and recommendations for how to tackle the global learning crisis in the wake of Covid-19.

Evidence of a two-speed recovery where high-income countries may recover steadily, while low-income countries may lag, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Organisation of a Continental Conference on the Impact of COVID-19 on the rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV.

Multisectoral coordination for preparedness has been crucial in curbing the spread of the virus. Vaccination is also being stepped up to help control the pandemic.