Frontiers in Pharmacology (Sep 2020)

Response to the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Across Africa: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for the Future

  • Olayinka O. Ogunleye,
  • Olayinka O. Ogunleye,
  • Debashis Basu,
  • Debashis Basu,
  • Debjani Mueller,
  • Jacqueline Sneddon,
  • R. Andrew Seaton,
  • R. Andrew Seaton,
  • R. Andrew Seaton,
  • Adesola F. Yinka-Ogunleye,
  • Joshua Wamboga,
  • Nenad Miljković,
  • Julius C. Mwita,
  • Godfrey Mutashambara Rwegerera,
  • Amos Massele,
  • Okwen Patrick,
  • Okwen Patrick,
  • Loveline Lum Niba,
  • Loveline Lum Niba,
  • Melaine Nsaikila,
  • Wafaa M. Rashed,
  • Mohamed Ali Hussein,
  • Rehab Hegazy,
  • Adefolarin A. Amu,
  • Baffour Boaten Boahen-Boaten,
  • Zinhle Matsebula,
  • Prudence Gwebu,
  • Bongani Chirigo,
  • Nongabisa Mkhabela,
  • Tenelisiwe Dlamini,
  • Siphiwe Sithole,
  • Sandile Malaza,
  • Sikhumbuzo Dlamini,
  • Daniel Afriyie,
  • George Awuku Asare,
  • Seth Kwabena Amponsah,
  • Israel Sefah,
  • Israel Sefah,
  • Margaret Oluka,
  • Anastasia N. Guantai,
  • Sylvia A. Opanga,
  • Tebello Violet Sarele,
  • Refeletse Keabetsoe Mafisa,
  • Ibrahim Chikowe,
  • Felix Khuluza,
  • Dan Kibuule,
  • Francis Kalemeera,
  • Mwangana Mubita,
  • Joseph Fadare,
  • Joseph Fadare,
  • Laurien Sibomana,
  • Gwendoline Malegwale Ramokgopa,
  • Gwendoline Malegwale Ramokgopa,
  • Carmen Whyte,
  • Carmen Whyte,
  • Tshegofatso Maimela,
  • Tshegofatso Maimela,
  • Johannes Hugo,
  • Johannes Hugo,
  • Johanna C. Meyer,
  • Natalie Schellack,
  • Enos M. Rampamba,
  • Enos M. Rampamba,
  • Adel Visser,
  • Abubakr Alfadl,
  • Abubakr Alfadl,
  • Elfatih M. Malik,
  • Elfatih M. Malik,
  • Oliver Ombeva Malande,
  • Oliver Ombeva Malande,
  • Aubrey C. Kalungia,
  • Chiluba Mwila,
  • Trust Zaranyika,
  • Blessmore Vimbai Chaibva,
  • Ioana D. Olaru,
  • Ioana D. Olaru,
  • Nyasha Masuka,
  • Janney Wale,
  • Lenias Hwenda,
  • Regina Kamoga,
  • Regina Kamoga,
  • Ruaraidh Hill,
  • Corrado Barbui,
  • Tomasz Bochenek,
  • Amanj Kurdi,
  • Amanj Kurdi,
  • Stephen Campbell,
  • Stephen Campbell,
  • Antony P. Martin,
  • Antony P. Martin,
  • Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong,
  • Binh Nguyen Thanh,
  • Brian Godman,
  • Brian Godman,
  • Brian Godman,
  • Brian Godman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.01205
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed considerable lives. There are major concerns in Africa due to existing high prevalence rates for both infectious and non-infectious diseases and limited resources in terms of personnel, beds and equipment. Alongside this, concerns that lockdown and other measures will have on prevention and management of other infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are an increasing issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that a lack of nets and treatment could result in up to 18 million additional cases of malaria and up to 30,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa.ObjectiveDocument current prevalence and mortality rates from COVID-19 alongside economic and other measures to reduce its spread and impact across Africa. In addition, suggested ways forward among all key stakeholder groups.Our ApproachContextualise the findings from a wide range of publications including internet-based publications coupled with input from senior-level personnel.Ongoing ActivitiesPrevalence and mortality rates are currently lower in Africa than among several Western countries and the USA. This could be due to a number of factors including early instigation of lockdown and border closures, the younger age of the population, lack of robust reporting systems and as yet unidentified genetic and other factors. Innovation is accelerating to address concerns with available equipment. There are ongoing steps to address the level of misinformation and its consequences including fines. There are also ongoing initiatives across Africa to start addressing the unintended consequences of COVID-19 activities including lockdown measures and their impact on NCDs including the likely rise in mental health disorders, exacerbated by increasing stigma associated with COVID-19. Strategies include extending prescription lengths, telemedicine and encouraging vaccination. However, these need to be accelerated to prevent increased morbidity and mortality.ConclusionThere are multiple activities across Africa to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and address misinformation, which can have catastrophic consequences, assisted by the WHO and others, which appear to be working in a number of countries. Research is ongoing to clarify the unintended consequences given ongoing concerns to guide future activities. Countries are learning from each other.

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