The 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games has been swiftly rescheduled to July-September, 2021 due COVID-19; however, this political decision was based on the conviction that “vaccines will definitely appear.” Multiple health threats have already presented around 2020 Olympics. First, the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as measles and rubella pose as significant health […]
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Decentralized response to COVID-19 in Nepal
The world is battling with COVID-19 and each country is embracing shared but distinct strategies. COVID-19 presents additional challenge in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, where the health system is often not adequately prepared to manage the epidemic. Facilities for hand washing and infection prevention at health facilities are minimum requirements and are […]
COVID-19 in Kurdistan: Health system vulnerabilities in a fragile setting
As of May 01, 2020, The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq has confirmed 381 COVID-19 cases and five deaths. The low number in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is not dissimilar to trends in The Middle East and North Africa (MENA). However, there are concerns that the numbers might be higher than official […]
COVID-19 response in Uganda: notes and reflections
This blog is a part of #COVID19Africa Series Uganda typically experiences recurring disease outbreaks throughout the year is in a state of continuous alerts (1). The country has invested in the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system which has helped to mitigate numerous outbreaks. Despite our fairly advanced surveillance system, the threat of an […]
Ready or not? COVID-19 and epidemic preparedness in Nigeria
This blog is a part of #COVID19Africa Series Nigeria had been waiting for it, expecting it, anticipating it. But no one knew exactly as it came in. Only in hindsight would the country piece together the story of an Italian man who arrived by air in Lagos on March 24, infected with SARS-CoV-2. By four […]
Giving birth amid a pandemic in Belgium: the challenges faced by mothers and midwives
Many voices have arisen as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds to draw attention on the numerous hidden repercussions of the crisis. The magnitude of those consequences will probably be clear only in the aftermath of the pandemic. But one thing is certain: both patients and healthcare workers have been deeply impacted. Since April 22, with […]
“Using my Voice” to Decolonize Global Health
Last week I watched the Decolonize Global Health online conference at the University of Edinburgh , where Madhukar Pai, Director of Global Health at McGill University, said that the bright spot he sees in all this is the youth can see through the BS. And by BS, he means the “colonialism” in global health […]
Elder Care during COVID-19 : Reflections from Shanghai
On January 23, 2020, Wuhan, a Chinese city with over 10 million people, was locked down due to COVID-19. Subsequently, all cities in China instituted the highest level emergency response. The response mandated home isolation, reduced unessential hospital visits, restricted social activities, and the use of personal protection equipment (e.g., face masks) outdoors. We […]
Domestic health financing for Covid-19 response in Africa
This blog is a part of #COVID19Africa Series The outbreak of Covid-19 imposes additional financing requirements to prevent, detect and respond in a timely and effective manner. Underfunding of health is a persistent problem in African countries, resulting in weak health systems and gaps in service delivery. Required funding to promote universal access to primary […]
COVID-19: Reimagining the political economy of planetary health
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic gives the new field of planetary health a unique chance to prove itself. Since the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission report’s release in 2015 (1), planetary health has been met by a mixture of both excitement and skepticism. Young scholars from diverse disciplines are energized by the idea of transdisciplinary collaboration for […]