COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: impacts on vulnerable populations and sustaining home-grown solutions
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SPECIAL SECTION ON COVID-19: COMMENTARY
COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa: impacts on vulnerable populations and sustaining home-grown solutions Lauren J. Wallace 1 & Elysée Nouvet 2 & Robert Bortolussi 3 & Joshua A. Arthur 4 & Eugenia Amporfu 5 & Eric Arthur 5 & Kofi Bobi Barimah 6 & Bernard Aristide Bitouga 7 & Harriet Chemusto 8 & Joseph Ikechebelu 9 & Ngozi Joe-Ikechebelu 10 & Mandy Kader Kondé 11 & Jean Damascene Kabakambira 12 & Gabriel Kyomba Kalombe 13 & Diana M. S. Karanja 14 & Eveline Thobias Konje 15 & Sekou Kouyate 16 & Gojjam Limeneh 17 & Felicien Munday Mulopo 18 & Mary Ndu 2 & Eric Ochomo 14 & Oriokot Francis 19 & Oumy Thiongane 20 & Jeremiah Seni 21 & S. Mohammed Sheriff 22 & Douglas Singini 23 Received: 11 May 2020 / Accepted: 8 August 2020 / Published online: 26 August 2020 # The Canadian Public Health Association 2020
Abstract This commentary draws on sub-Saharan African health researchers’ accounts of their countries’ responses to control the spread of COVID-19, including social and health impacts, home-grown solutions, and gaps in knowledge. Limited human and material resources for infection control and lack of understanding or appreciation by the government of the realities of vulnerable populations have contributed to failed interventions to curb transmission, and further deepened inequalities. Some governments have adapted or limited lockdowns due to the negative impacts on livelihoods and taken specific measures to minimize the impact on the most vulnerable citizens. However, these measures may not reach the majority of the poor. Yet, African countries’ responses to COVID-19 have also included a range of innovations, including diversification of local businesses to produce personal protective equipment, disinfectants, test kits, etc., which may expand domestic manufacturing capabilities and deepen self-reliance. African and high-income governments, donors, non-governmental organizations, and businesses should work to strengthen existing health system capacity and back African-led business. Social scientific understandings of public perceptions, their interactions with COVID-19 control measures, and studies on promising clinical interventions are needed. However, a decolonizing response to COVID-19 must include explicit and meaningful commitments to sharing the power—the authority and resources—to study and endorse solutions. Résumé Le présent commentaire est fondé sur les témoignages de chercheurs en santé d’Afrique subsaharienne sur les mesures prises par leurs pays pour enrayer la propagation de la COVID-19, dont les effets sociosanitaires, les solutions « maison » et les lacunes à combler. L’insuffisance de ressources humaines et matérielles pour contrôler l’infection et le manque de compréhension ou de reconnaissance par les gouvernements des réalités des populations vulnérables ont contribué à l’échec des interventions pour enrayer la transmission et ont creusé les inégalités. Certains gouvernements ont adapté ou limité les confinements pour en réduire les effets nuisibles sur les moyens
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