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Category: Health

  • By land, air, and sea: Hospital ship and aviation charities renew partnership to bring life-changing surgery to patients to remote African regions

    By land, air, and sea: Hospital ship and aviation charities renew partnership to bring life-changing surgery to patients to remote African regions

    TOAMASINA, Madagascar, July 8, 2024/ — Humanitarian aid organizations Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org) and Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) have renewed their partnership to help bring life-changing surgical care to isolated communities across Africa.

    Mercy Ships operates state-of-the-art hospital ships, providing free surgeries and healthcare services to sub-Saharan nations with limited access to safe surgical care. MAF’s purpose is to bring help, hope and healing through aviation to people living in isolation and poverty.

    The renewed memorandum of agreement between these two faith-based charities enables Mercy Ships to extend their reach further inland to a broader spectrum of the population across Africa, bolstered by MAF’s logistical support. This partnership, launched in Madagascar, will enable teams to access hard-to-reach areas and transport patients in need of critical surgical interventions.

    This collaboration provides opportunities for those in the most remote and inaccessible regions of the country. Further joint initiatives are being explored in other African nations.

    “Traveling by road in Madagascar can be incredibly challenging due to the rough terrain and poor infrastructure,” Michael Jurgensen, MAF Madagascar Country Director, said. “In many cases, reaching remote villages can take days by car, draining valuable time and energy.

    However, with MAF Madagascar’s support, the [Mercy Ships] patient selection team can cover vast distances swiftly and safely, enabling them to visit multiple locations within a short period. Flying not only saves time for the selection team, but also ensures the team can travel to evaluate and select patients from the most isolated and underserved areas for surgery on-ship at a later date.”

    A 2016 study of Madagascar revealed that only 20% of the population can access surgical services within a two-hour timeframe, and up to 95% would face financial ruin if they required surgery (source: BMJ Global Health) (https://apo-opa.co/3zADKr6).

    With a scarcity of surgeons — approximately 1 for every 100,000 people — the prospect of receiving necessary surgical treatment seems unattainable for many (source: WHO) (https://apo-opa.co/3RXNmm0). 

    Bernard van den Bosch, who has worked for both MAF and Mercy Ships, and current Director of the Africa Services Center at Mercy Ships, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are confidently re-engaging with MAF because together we are stronger.

    The country of Madagascar has many hard-to-reach areas, and MAF is the key to accessing them. Non-profit organizations can ‘compete,’ but ultimately, we all serve the same goal. I see many opportunities for future collaboration and intensive joint efforts.”

    Bastiaan de Waal, Africa Regional Director of MAF, added: “By transporting Mercy Ships teams with our aircraft to the interior of Madagascar, we provide help, hope and healing to residents with the surgical care they desperately need. The need is high in these areas, and these people in isolated communities are equally entitled to care.

    We are pleased to partner alongside Mercy Ships to support this often-forgotten group. Being each other’s hand and foot is what we are called to do and we have a shared synergy of vision and values.”

    This renewed collaboration between MAF and Mercy Ships exemplifies how strategic partnerships can enhance humanitarian efforts, ensuring that more people receive the critical medical care they need. The two organizations previously partnered from 2014 to 2016 in Madagascar and have worked together in Liberia.

    Mercy Ships’ hospital ship, the Africa Mercy®, has been docked in Toamasina since February and is delivering surgery and training. The ship is actively collaborating with Madagascar’s Ministry of Health to identify the most pressing needs and strengthen the country’s surgical systems through its education, training, and advocacy program.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

    For More Information Contact:
    Mercy Ships:
    Email: Sophie.barnett@mercyships.org

    MAF:
    Email: sean.atkins@mafint.org

  • Africa- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Good Health: The New Frontier in Social Innovation to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3)

    Africa- Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Good Health: The New Frontier in Social Innovation to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3)
    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 2, 2024/ — In the evolving landscape of global health, digital innovation emerges as a beacon of hope, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare access, quality, and affordability.
    A recent white paper by the World Economic Forum, produced in collaboration with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, EY, and Microsoft, sheds light on an exciting paradigm shift: the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social innovation, especially within healthcare.
    AI uptake has the potential to improve immunisation programmes, supply chains, referrals, diagnoses, drug safety, and overall health system efficiency.

    The report finds three primary impact areas where AI is making significant contributions:

    • Healthcare, with 25% of innovators using AI to advance access to health;
    • Environmental sustainability, with 20% of social innovators applying AI to tackle climate solutions; and
    • Economic empowerment, notably prevalent in lower-income countries where 80% of all initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods are based.

    Healthcare is by far the most prevalent impact domain that social innovators are addressing with AI. Corresponding to this, 1 in 4 Social innovators are deploying AI to advance Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being. This is apparent across all geographies as innovators seek to adopt AI to address multiple challenges within the area of healthcare.

    Referenced in this report is BroadReach Group, a social impact organisation, that is using AI and machine learning to equip health care workers, leaders and institutions to better manage their scarce resources and drive better health outcomes for all. Vantage Health Technologies, a part of BroadReach Group is harnessing its work across continents in the following ways:

    • Using AI in Africa to support large HIV and TB programs by identifying gaps in resources and supporting decision making and targeted actions to address those gaps. This has allowed many districts particularly in South Africa, with the largest HIV population in the world to come close to achieving the UN goals of 95-95-95. The 95-95-95 HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression targets aim to close gaps in HIV treatment coverage and outcomes in all sub-populations, age groups and geographic settings.
    • Vantage has provided program oversight to Tuberculosis (TB) programs in Africa by providing a single system to manage all key areas.  TB outcomes are difficult to manage without daily insight into performance data. Vantage integrated already existing feeds from the national health data system to drive active decision making and launch interventions to address performance, data quality and reporting compliance.
    • A leading non-governmental organisation in Nigeria that provides prevention, treatment and care services across HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria uses AI and predictive analytics in Vantage to prevent missed appointments and bring patients back to care. The outputs are used to prioritise outreach to high-risk patients and monitor the effectiveness of interventions to proactively highlight areas needing attention.
    • In the US, Vantage is addressing Social Determinants of Health, by automating social care coordination for cancer patients. The early results have shown improved patient outcomes, improved equity and financial sustainability, while simultaneously reducing the administrative burden on the workforce.

    Dr. Ernest Darkoh, co-founder of BroadReach Group, says, “the fundamental issue in healthcare, whether you are in Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe, or the USA, is that demand outstrips supply in terms of health services, doctors, nurses, and medications.

    The healthcare sector is trying to deliver on an antiquated model of ‘sick care’ without real-time intelligence on disease patterns, who is being affected the most, or the adequacy of healthcare resources. We need to change this paradigm to be more effective by leveraging data and digital solutions to ensure we are always spending the next hour and the next dollar in the in the most impactful way possible.”

    Global Collaboration to Achieve Health Equity

    The report also shows that Africa is emerging, with leaders like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya. Egypt and Kenya have developed national AI strategies. In other countries like Cameroon, individual social innovators are using AI to address healthcare challenges, such as developing low-cost diagnostic tools for malaria. The continent is also seeing AI applications in economic empowerment and various ML capabilities.

    Paul Bhuhi, Managing Director of Vantage shares, ‘’AI is becoming more accepted, with healthcare leaders seeing the promise of AI to drive real improvement in health access, quality, and affordability. Yet, the education gap between innovators and the policy makers inhibits AI adoption, In our experience Rwanda and Kenya are leading that push but more needs to be done.”

    An important lesson that BroadReach Group is applying is that learning healthcare lessons in one country can have a profound global impact through collaboration. By sharing best practices, innovations, and research findings, countries can collectively address common health challenges more effectively.

    Collaborative efforts enable the adaptation of successful strategies to different contexts, promoting universal health improvements and accelerating progress towards global health goals like SDG 3. This exchange of knowledge fosters a more interconnected and resilient global healthcare community, where advancements in one region benefit all.

    Dr. John Sargent, co-founder of BroadReach Group, says “an example of impact through collaboration is using our experience and learnings in Africa addressing health inequity and applying them to promote health equity in cancer care in the US. Our teams work across geographies and this collaboration has shown that we can more effectively and rapidly improve patient care because of this experience.

    Although every geography and market has its differences, many of the same core principles, critical lessons learned, and approaches apply, allowing us to rapidly adapt and implement solutions that have a real impact for populations in need while ensuring that the health system is using its resources in the most impactful way.”

    Embracing the Ethical Adoption of AI

    The next generation of ethical generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) provides new hope for more equitable healthcare, but advances in technology must never come at the cost of patient rights. AI systems should start with guardrails and ethics within their foundational design.

    Chris LeGrand, CEO of BroadReach Group emphasises, “regulatory frameworks for ethical use of AI in healthcare are still early stage but are progressing. The new Digital Trade Protocol recently adopted by African heads of state under the Africa Continental Trade Area (AfCTA) is an example of international bodies defining the desired digital landscape with rules based on common principles, including protecting personal data while promoting trusted, safe, ethical use of emerging technologies. Regulation is slowly evolving to create trust and confidence in the protection of health data.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BroadReach Group.
  • Mercy Ships Welcomes Presidential Visit on board, in Toamasina Harbor

    Mercy Ships Welcomes Presidential Visit on board, in Toamasina Harbor

    TOAMASINA, Madagascar, June 20, 2024/ — Malagasy president His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina visited patients and volunteers on board Mercy Ships’ hospital vessel (www.MercyShips.org) to see for himself the lives being transformed.

    On Saturday June 15, the president along with Minister of Health Professor Randriamanantany Zely Arivelo, accompanied by a delegation with His Excellency, visited the Africa Mercy ® hospital ship in Toamasina. This marked the first time the Malagasy president has visited the ship during its current mission.

    Nathan Jansen, Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, said: “We were honored to welcome His Excellency aboard the Africa Mercy. We were encouraged both by his desire to bring health to all of the people of Madagascar, and for his expression of partnership with Mercy Ships. We consider it a privilege to serve as partners with the Ministry of Health to bring direct medical services and education training and advocacy to the health system.”

    During the hospital tour, His Excellency had the opportunity to speak with several patients in the ward. He said: “We hope Mercy Ships can serve in Madagascar as long as possible”, to which everyone including the President’s delegation, the crew, and the patients in the ward, broke out in loud applause.

    The president also explored various departments of the hospital, including the operating room and the CT-scanner. His Excellency remarked: “It is already impressive to have a hospital ship like this, utilizing advanced technologies.”

    While walking through the ship’s corridors, the President took time to chat with some crew members. He showed particular interest in the onboard community, which currently consists of 336 individuals.  On the bridge, he received a briefing from the captain and enjoyed a stunning view of Toamasina’s coastline.

    At the end of his visit, His Excellency affirmed that Mercy Ships supports the Malagasy government’s effort in healthcare.

    The President stated: “Healthcare must be closer to the people. This is why we have built multiple hospitals. From 1990 to 2019, Madagascar had only 18 referral hospitals. Since the beginning of my mandate in 2019, we have constructed 30 additional hospitals nationwide.

    “We now need partners to help those in difficulty. There are operations that Malagasy specialists cannot yet perform, especially for the most vulnerable. The actions and operations that Mercy Ships is undertaking in Madagascar are commendable, and we should continue in this direction to help our neighbors, particularly those in difficulty and suffering from illnesses.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.
  • Afreximbank and Africa CDC pledge US$2 billion facility in support of Africa Health and Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturing

    Afreximbank and Africa CDC pledge US$2 billion facility in support of Africa Health and Pharmaceutical Products Manufacturing

    PARIS, London, June 20, 2024/ — African Export-Import Bank (“Afreximbank” or “the Bank”) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Africa Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have renewed their partnership with a new cooperation agreement announced today on the sidelines of the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation in Paris, France.

    Through this collaboration, Afreximbank has committed a US$ 2 billion facility to the “Africa Health Security Investment Plan” to support the health product manufacturing ambition of the continent. This initiative will focus on the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) and the Platform for Harmonized African Health Products Manufacturing (PHAHM).

    This initiative is pivotal in addressing Africa’s health investment challenges, promoting economic development, and strengthening health security across the continent. It also intends to complement GAVI’s innovative financing mechanism, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) (https://apo-opa.co/45uIR81) which is set to provide up to USD 2 billion financing to African manufacturers of health and pharmaceutical products over the next ten years.

    African pharmaceutical companies face severe impacts of the global health, security and economic challenges, yet they are the drivers of investments and technology advancements that the health sector needs. Low investor confidence, lack of appropriate infrastructure, trade related barriers, and regulatory challenges are some of the constraints to investment in Africa’s health sector. While funds might be available, many potential investments do not materialize due to financial and non-financial obstacles. Coordinated efforts at the continental level are essential to reverse this trend and align with the New Public Health Order (https://apo-opa.co/45wjnqW).

    Closing the investment gap will be crucial to achieving the African Union’s ambition of manufacturing 60% of vaccines needed locally by the year 2040 as well as implementing all other countermeasures necessary to ensure self-reliance especially during crises such as pandemics and outbreaks.

    While commenting on the signing, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank said: “We are pleased to be part of yet another momentous event that will change the course of health security in Africa. This facility will help strengthen the manufacturing of health and pharmaceutical products in Africa through our comprehensive and existing interventions such as Project Preparation funding, Project and Trade Finance as well as Guarantees. Furthermore, we intend to put our full weight behind this facility with equity investments through our subsidiary FEDA – the Fund for Export Development into Africa.”

    “Today is a big day for African vaccine manufacturing as well as health products manufacturing in general, as we welcome these major investment announcements that will change the face of health products manufacturing in Africa for years to come. Protecting our future, means investing in our ability to achieve self-reliance on all health countermeasures; vital to accomplish our mission of safeguarding Africa’s health” said H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa CDC.

    The “Africa Health Security Investment Plan” will allow Afreximbank to support and finance key health projects identified by the Africa CDC. The joint effort combines institutional and financial resources, financial tools such as equity and debt financing, guarantees, venture capital, capacity building, and risk-sharing to boost and attract more health investments in Africa.

    The ‘Africa Health Security Investment Plan’ is built on three key pillars:

    1. Technical Assistance and Advisory Services: A single-entry point for health project preparation and implementation, with capacity-building support from the Africa CDC.
    2. Investment Project Pipeline: A clear, forward-looking list of health investment projects in Africa, accessible through Afreximbank Project Portal.
    3. Regulatory and Normative Support: implementing programs to remove bottlenecks and create a conducive environment for trade and investment, guided by the Technical Steering Committee of Africa CDC- AfCFTA.

    The Africa Health Security Investment aims to tackle Africa’s health investment challenges, promote economic growth, and enhance health security across the continent.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contacts:
    For Africa CDC
    Margaret Edwin
    Director of Communication & Public Information Division
    Africa CDC
    Tel: +251 986 632 878
    Email: EdwinM@africacdc.org
  • Africa enters epic global AI innovation race, joining world’s tech capitals as an epicentre for digital advancement

    Africa enters epic global AI innovation race, joining world’s tech capitals as an epicentre for digital advancement

    Marrakech, Morocco: The AI mania that’s transforming business, government and society globally is also igniting waves of innovation across Africa, with the shape-shifting tech’s existential prospects powering a cross-continental investment surge at the AI Everything Expo by GITEX AFRICA in Morocco next month.

    Africa’s epic AI opportunity is already disrupting digital advancements in diverse sectors from finance and agriculture, to healthcare and mobility, all fueling a booming AI market that, according to analysts Statista, will grow 30 percent annually over the next six years to value US$17 billion by 2030.

    This massive AI rush combined with a rapidly growing population of 1.5 billion people – of which 70 percent are under the age of 30 – creates a potent recipe of AI acceleration, but highlights gaps in talent development, venture allocation, policy and infrastructure.

    These crucial challenges and opportunities will be addressed when the world’s AI cognoscenti and pivotal power players of its widespread deployment unite to fast-track the continent’s next big tech shift at the AI Everything Expo by GITEX AFRICA, the year’s largest and most progressive platform for AI exploration and deep tech innovation.

    Taking place from 29-31 May 2024 in Marrakech, Africa’s powerhouse tech showcase will feature the world’s tech titans spearheading the AI gold rush, including Microsoft, IBM, Huawei, Nvidia, and Google, along with hundreds of AI ambitious start-ups from across the globe with grand visions to change Africa via AI-infused products and services.

    An AI continent ‘brimming with investment opportunity’

    Microsoft, the world’s most valuable company, and GITEX AFRICA’s official AI Partner, is leading the way in the AI investment race, having forged partnerships with the world’s hottest makers of AI models, including the UAE’s G42, a global leader in visionary AI.

    Microsoft’s recent US$1.5 billion strategic investment in G42 to accelerate AI development in growing economies such as Africa will be welcomed by big tech executives, government leaders, investors and tech entrepreneurs alike at GITEX AFRICA 2024, which will also feature Presight, G42’s big data analytics company powered by generative AI.

    Lillian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa, said AI can unlock a continent “brimming with investment opportunity.” “Africa has long been recognised for its formidable growth prospects and AI is the long-awaited key to help unlock that potential,” said Barnard, who will also be a headline speaker at GITEX AFRICA’s power-packed conference programme.

    “The AI-powered innovation we’re seeing today is poised to reinvent every aspect of society from healthcare to financial services, manufacturing and beyond. If Africa is to benefit from the paradigm shift currently sweeping the globe, we must make the promise of AI real for people and organisations across the continent – and do so responsibly. GITEX provides us with a platform to come together and work towards fulfilling that commitment.”

    Dr. Adel Alsharji, the COO of Presight, added that Africa is the second-fastest growing region globally in AI adoption. “Africa’s AI journey is gaining momentum, and this progress highlights the continent’s readiness to explore and harness the potential of AI for driving economic growth and addressing local challenges,” said Alsharji, adding that demand for AI-related jobs will increase two-fold over the next three years. “AI could add US$13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, while the number of AI-related jobs in Africa alone is expected to grow by 200 percent by 2025.”

    A formidable African force in a world-changing AI revolution  

    The AI Everything Expo will gather the brightest minds and most innovative thinkers in the field of AI at the AI Everything Conference, one of 10 powerful conference stages at GITEX AFRICA, the continent’s largest tech and start-up show.

    Headline speakers leading the AI phenomenon include Dragoș Tudorache, Vice-President of the Renew Europe Group; Mactar Seck, Chief of Technology and Innovation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); and Jepson Taylor, Former Chief AI Strategist, Dataiku.

    AI and it’s far-reaching multisectoral impact will be evident on the exhibition floor, with exhibitors showcasing how the AI boom is turbocharging waves of innovation across industries, from education and agriculture, to transport, retail, energy, or logistics.

    Clinify, a Nigerian start-up epitomises this movement in the healthcare sector, and is one of hundreds of global change-makers at GITEX AFRICA’s North Star Africa start-up showcase. Clinify, an electronic medical record (EMR) platform seeks to digitise patients’ medical records in Africa, where 90 percent of such information is still paper based.

    CEO and Founder Michael Omidele, said there’s an urgent need for centralised and digitised medical records. “Africa’s healthcare sector faces several challenges; there’s only one doctor available for every 10,000 patients whereas the average in developed countries is one doctor for every 250 people,” said Omidele.

    “Clinify is a one of a kind African solution offering a digitally centralised and standardised interoperable aggregator of healthcare systems, a telemedicine platform, and an EMR solution giving patients access to their medical records. Our goal is to network with healthcare providers, to expand this innovation from Nigeria and export it across Africa.”

    Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, GITEX AFRICA is held under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, in partnership with Morocco’s Digital Development Agency. The 2nd blockbuster edition, organised by KAOUN International, follows its pioneering debut in 2023.

    More information is available at www.gitexafrica.com.

  • Re-designing the African Rural Built Environment for Sustainability

    Re-designing the African Rural Built Environment for Sustainability

    By: Mohammed A. Abu

    The African rural built environment is where one still easily finds age-old residential buildings,mosques among others,constructed by using earthen and other forms of local materials. They constitute a somewhat near description of the contemporary day “Green Buildings” concept in their own right.

    The amazing durability of centuries-old mosques in Ghana’s northern sector including remnants of an ancient days security defense wall built with local materials to protect an ethnic kingdom from external aggression, has since attracted research interest from most especially, building engineering scientists in the African Sustainable Built Environment experts fraternity.

    The Gap

    However, an age-long big gap that is also associated with the African Rural Built Environment and which ought to be addressed today, is the conspicuous absence of a purposefully structured water, sewage and lavatory system as part of the rural residential ecosystem.

    .Bushes as place of pubic convenience

    Since time immemorial bush areas in typical African rural communities, have served and continue to serve the lavatory needs of most rural dwellers with the numerous associated inconveniences.

    Changing Socio-Economic Dynamics

    Over the last three decades, the upsurge of urbanization and transitioning of some African rural communities to peri-urban status, has come with a considerable loss of arable lands and bushes that use to serve the toilet needs of the people. Thus, the call for re-designing of the African  Built Environment to ensure  sustainability  in our cities must equally be extended to the rural Built Environments as well.

     Two Like-minded Pals take Affirmative Action

    It is therefore against this background that the efforts of two gentlemen, one from the US, Doc Reiss and Taouvik Boukari, from the West African nation of Togo as their modest contribution towards stemming the tide, cannot escape the lenses of your favourite, Eco-Enviro News, Africa magazine.

    How it all Started 

    “Gosh, it has been about ten years now since it all started.  There is a website, “Interpals,” (internet penpals) where I met first met Tao.  It is for people who want to practice language and exchange culture” recounts, Doc Reiss Consultant for Dignity Toilets,Togo,on how he first met Taouvik Aboukari online.

    “Back then, Tao was making less than a dollar a day.  Even then I never heard him complain. He was always positive, always upbeat. He showed kindness and compassion in his character by his actions.

    “A ship carrying refugees from Liberia went down and all were lost.  Tao and his friends went to the beach and spread flowers and prayers on the water so their souls would know that someone cared.

    “There were two families in his village who had no food for their children.  Tao and a friend went out and got day jobs for two days and bought them food.

    “One day out of nowhere Tao complained, “I get so tired of going to the bushes.”  I asked what he meant.  He told me his village had no water, no sewer, and no toilets in the houses so people had to go the fields to go to the bathroom.

    ” I asked why he couldn’t use a latrine.

    “The village was prone to flooding and people had gone to the fields for generations”Tao responded..

    “I asked about a self-composting toilet.  Tao had never heard of one before.

    “We each agreed to do research”Doc Reiss recounts.

    “I found a plastic one for $1100 but it would take shipping as well and there was no way I could afford that”Doc Reiss recounts..

    Concrete Toilet the Starting Point

    Tao located plans that the Togolese government had developed for one made of concrete.  We built that. Then a neighbor asked how they could get a toilet like Tao’s.  Tao’s toilet was way overbuilt; six-inch vent pipes, heavy hinged steel doors on the back, cement roof.  So we trimmed the details a bit to make it easier to build and less expensive.

    “I said we needed the neighbor to contribute 20% so they had a sense of ownership and we built #2. Soon we had a third. And when Tao came out of his door one morning around 5 a.m. and found people waiting for him, we started a waiting list for the toilets.  We capped it at 24 families.

    “In two years we had brought on three workers and had made eight toilets.  I was calling the project, “Toilets for Togo.”  People would hear the title and giggle at the alliteration.

    Dignity Toilet in Rural Togo

    How the Toilet got it’s  name, “Dignity”?

    “One day I asked Tao what having a toilet had done for his family.  He replied, “It has brought us dignity.”  When I changed the name to “Dignity Toilets for Togo” people took it seriously.

    Reaching out to Rotary Club

    “By the time we had done eight (8) we had the system down and could duplicate the design consistently.  That is when I approached my Rotary Club and asked them to take on the project.  They agreed” end of (PART ONE)

    Dignity Toilet is an innovative design that also takes into account circularity principles.Thus,it is water used efficient and takes care of water scarcity,a  natural limitation of the average African rural settings.In the extreme case rural women and children have to trek for many hours to fetch water for drinking,cooking,washing.That is not all,it also brings compost and urine fertilizer for organic farming among others .Watch out for the Part Two.

  • Unleashing the Power of Partnerships to Transform Healthcare in Africa

    Unleashing the Power of Partnerships to Transform Healthcare in Africa

    DAKAR, Senegal, November 20, 2023/ — By Dr. Ahmadu Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, Republic of The Gambia.

    In the realm of medicine, there are pivotal moments that can forever change lives. For me, that transformative moment occurred two decades ago when my path intersected with medical mission teams in our country, including Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org), an organisation committed to delivering life-changing surgeries to those who need it most. Witnessing their surgical interventions and the profound impact on people’s lives ignited my passion to become a surgeon.

    I realised that the human body’s needs transcend borders and the Gambian people deserved access to quality surgical care.

    Becoming a surgeon in The Gambia was not without challenges. With no medical school in our country at the time, I pursued education elsewhere. Armed with newfound knowledge and expertise, I returned to the country to make a positive impact on healthcare.

    Currently, the landscape of surgical care and education in The Gambia presents its own set of challenges. Surgery, being a diverse field, requires specialists, and specialists are often scarce in low-income countries like ours. Many individuals suffering from surgical conditions continue to endure unnecessary pain or rely on the assistance of organisations like Mercy Ships. Bridging this gap remains a significant challenge.

    In recent years the country has made notable progress, such as establishing a residency programme. This step is critical for sustainability and ensuring that we train our specialists in fields like surgery, gynaecology, internal medicine, paediatrics, and family medicine. However, expanding the scope of training to address the broad range of surgical disciplines remains a concern that also requires support from international partners.

    Resource limitations are deeply rooted in the country’s healthcare sector. With a population of approximately 2.7 million, our health budget pales in comparison to the staggering €2.9 billion budget I learned about during my recent visit to a European country. Treating acute appendicitis in New York, Tokyo, London, or Banjul requires the same expertise, yet our available resources differ significantly.

    The country also largely relies on imports for 100% of its medical consumables, making their cost and availability unpredictable. There is also a dire shortage of trained healthcare professionals. While we strive to equip our healthcare facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and medications, the lack of skilled personnel hampers our efforts.

    Despite these challenges, the government is actively working to address the gaps in its healthcare system, in collaboration with organisations like the World Bank, WTO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, Global Fund, and the World Food Program. These efforts, while commendable, require continuous dedication and strategic partnerships to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

    In the interim, we rely on the support of healthcare professionals from other countries, particularly Cuba and neighbouring African nations, to help us bridge the capacity gaps, ensuring that our patients receive the care they urgently need.

    In general, access to surgical care and education remains a critical concern across the continent. Finding ways to overcome these barriers is crucial. For instance, establishing manufacturing hubs in Africa to produce medical equipment and supplies would reduce dependency on imports and make these essential items more affordable and accessible.

    African countries should collaborate in training specialists, sharing knowledge and resources through partnerships and mutual training programmes. Through such partnerships we can strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality services, and ultimately transform healthcare for the better.

    However, partnerships are not without their challenges. Limited resources, both financial and logistical, often hinder the progress of low-income countries. Limited health budgets make achieving global healthcare targets a daunting task. Despite the obstacles, we must capitalise on the resources available to us and maximise their potential to provide the best care possible.

    Partnerships with international organisations like Mercy Ships play a critical role in filling the gaps in surgical care. Mercy Ships’ recent field service in the country, where 92 patients were operated on and 122 healthcare professionals were trained, exemplifies the ripple effect of impactful interventions. Individuals who once faced social stigma and isolation due to their physical conditions now have a chance to thrive. Children who were unable to attend school due to disfigurements now have an opportunity to receive an education. Families burdened by the healthcare costs of their loved ones have found relief, enabling them to provide for their households.

    Continuing this collaboration, we are determined to expand the scope of interventions and address other critical areas, such as cancer care. By facilitating training opportunities for Gambian healthcare professionals on board Mercy Ships, we can enhance our local capacity and ensure sustainable healthcare services for our people.

    Looking ahead, our focus remains on building sustainable healthcare systems and ensuring access to quality surgery care for all. Uniting through partnerships, both within Africa and with international organisations, is crucial to overcome challenges and transform healthcare in Africa. The time for action is now! Together, we can bring hope, healing, and a brighter future to the millions of individuals who deserve nothing less.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

    SOURCE
    Mercy Ships

  • African voices unite to drive cervical cancer elimination across the continent through new civil society coalition – The African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA)

    African voices unite to drive cervical cancer elimination across the continent through new civil society coalition – The African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA)

    NAIROBI, Kenya, November 15, 2023/ — The African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA) has been launched to empower communities and increase access to prevention and control of cervical cancer in Africa by 2030 in line with global targets; the ACHA Secretariat is hosted by KILELE Health Association, with catalytic support from FIND (www.FINDdx.org).

    The launch of the African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA) was announced today, ahead of the anniversary marking the global commitment to eliminate cervical cancer. An online event showcased the power of civil society to galvanize action in pursuit of cervical cancer elimination across the continent. The event, hosted by KILELE Health Association as ACHA Secretariat, featured speakers from the ACHA membership from African countries. These included community organizations, public health officials, policy makers, and voices from those with lived experience of the disease.

    Cervical cancer is both preventable and curable if detected early, through highly effective HPV vaccines, high-performing HPV DNA screening tests, and early treatment of precancerous lesions. But while awareness of the positive impact of vaccination and value of screening and treatment for women, their families and economies has improved, today, cervical cancer remains the one of the deadliest cancers among women in Sub-Saharan Africa – because women in these countries simply do not have access to these life-saving measures.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and governments around the world have made a commitment that cervical cancer will be the first cancer ever in the world to be eliminated, setting “90–70–90” targets for 2030 that can put all countries on the pathway to this achievement: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15, 70% of women screened by the age of 35 years and then again at 45 years, and 90% of women with pre-cancer or invasive cancer treated.

    Experience from the fight against HIV/AIDS has shown that civil society organizations play a pivotal role in addressing health challenges, by advocating for policy change, raising awareness, and providing education and support to those affected. ACHA is mobilizing organizations from across the African continent to similarly unlock progress towards cervical cancer elimination, by improving access to quality healthcare, empowering women to make informed health decisions, and bringing services closer to those who need them. In collaboration with stakeholders, ACHA will leverage resources and expertise, contributing to women’s health, and protecting families and livelihoods.

    With catalytic support from FIND, ACHA is launching with a membership of 22 organizations (https://apo-opa.co/3R0l1eT) representing 15 African countries, focused on five workstreams:

    • Targeted advocacy, supported by research
    • Focused capacity building and training
    • Sustainable resource mobilization
    • Strategic community engagement and outreach
    • Tailored communications and informational materials.

    Benda N. Kithaka, Executive Director, KILELE Health Association, said: “ACHA desk reviews have shown that there is little research shaping community engagement in Africa, despite the fact that our continent is the hardest hit by cervical cancer, with the pain, suffering and deaths from this disease being the highest in the world. Our women are excited to be a significant contributor to change cervical cancer effects on the families; and we know women in African communities are ready to take up elimination. ACHA members are uniting behind the call to governments to follow through on their global commitments to 90–70–90. We encourage others to join us and make this happen.”

    Dr Angela Muriuki, Director of Women’s Health at FIND, said: “At FIND, we strongly believe that cervical cancer could be eliminated within a generation. We can only achieve this through true partnership with women and communities and creating a platform for African voices to lead the drive towards elimination in Africa. We are delighted to support the formation and strengthening of ACHA as we know empowerment of women will be key to accelerating uptake of national screening programmes, and that screening is critical so that today’s generation of women do not miss out.”

    With a rallying cry of “don’t drop the ball!” ACHA warmly encourages interested organizations to reach out to partner, join or support ACHA. Please contact the Secretariat at director@kilelehealth.org.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIND.
    Media contacts
    Benda N. Kithaka, Executive Director, KILELE Health Association
    M: +254724635680
    director@kilelehealth.org

    Sarah-Jane Loveday, Director, Communications, FIND
    M: +41 79 431 62 44
    media@finddx.org

  • TTH-Pace4life Join Hands for Historic Pacemaker Insertion Surgery in Northern Ghana

    TTH-Pace4life Join Hands for Historic Pacemaker Insertion Surgery in Northern Ghana

    A team of cardiologists from Columbus, Ohio. in the United States of America and their Ghanaian counterparts at the  Teaching  (TTH),in Ghana’s Northern region, have performed three successful  at the hospital.

    A pacemaker insertion is the implantation of a small electronic device that is usually placed in the chest – just below the collarbone – to help regulate slow electrical problems with the heart.

    The historic surgery is a partnership between the  and Pace4life

    The team comprised of Cardiologists, Anaesthestics, Radiology technicians and scrub .

    Leader of the team from Columbus Ohio, Dr. Kamel Addo told 3news.com that the procedure was to implant the pacemaker device and also provide a platform to share knowledge with the TTH team.

    “This is also to provide a training, teaching and transfer of knowledge to the hardworking staff of the hospital here in northern Ghana and that I think is very important,” Dr Addo sai

    “This is the first of its kind and I know once we are successful in this, we will look at its sustainability with the hospital to save more of the lives here.”

    Head of Cardiology at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Abdul-Subulr Yakubu expressed gratitude to Pace4life and the team from the  for the sponsorship and surgeries.

    “Before this surgery, we lost four patients recently, because they could not afford the surgeries and so this intervention is life saving.

    “The poverty levels here is serious and so interventions like these are highly recommended. This is why the hospital and the Cardiology Unit and our patients will forever be grateful to Pace4Life and the team led by Dr Addo.”

    In all, three patients including a 94-year-old woman successfully went through the procedure.

    SOURCE

    3News.com

     

     

  • African Medical Centre of Excellence Holds Inaugural Board Meeting

    African Medical Centre of Excellence Holds Inaugural Board Meeting

    CAIRO, Egypt, October 16, 2023/ — African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE Abuja) established by Afreximbank (https://www.Afreximbank.com/), has held its inaugural board meeting in Cairo, Egypt on October 6, 2023.

    AMCE Abuja, a landmark and visionary initiative by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), entails the implementation and operationalization of a 500-bed quaternary level medical facility that will offer a wide range of services and specializations including oncology, cardiology, hematology, and general care capabilities.

    The AMCE Abuja will also provide a full range of medical services, including diagnostics, treatment, nuclear medicine, surgery and post-surgical care. It will operate in collaboration with the Kings College Hospital, London (KCH) (https://www.KCH.nhs.uk/), leveraging KCH’s diagnostic, clinical and capacity building expertise to become a world class healthcare institution.

    At the inaugural board meeting of the AMCE Abuja, the Board endorsed the appointment of Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank as its Chairman and appointed Mr. Amr Kamel as his alternate. The appointment of Professor Benedict Oramah reflects his significant contributions to and vision for the project, as well as his exemplary leadership qualities, which have led Afreximbank to remarkable growth. It is expected that under his leadership, the AMCE will successfully accomplish its mission of providing world class medical care, conducting innovative and groundbreaking research, facilitating development initiatives, and offering educational programs in collaboration with esteemed international organizations. Through establishing both international and Pan-African partnerships, AMCE Abuja will ultimately become a prominent global reference and a leading destination for medical tourism in the region.

    Other members of the AMCE Abuja Board, include Prof. Ghulam Mufti, Prof Adedayo Onitilo, Dr. Anwar Alhaq, Mr. Emmanuel Assiak, Mr. Brain Deaver, Dr. Zahoor Khan, Dr. Aisha Umar, His Excellency, Arc. Namadi Sambo, Mr. Amr Kamel, Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Mr. Olusola Babalola, and Dr. Gloria Rowland.

    Speaking after his appointment as Chairman of the AMCE Board, Prof Benedict Oramah, commented:

    “I am delighted to chair this first meeting of the AMCE Board. This project is of great significance to our continent, with Africans being among the largest importers of medical services globally due to a lack of modern, affordable, and well-equipped medical facilities, technologies and personnel on the continent who especially deal with lifestyle diseases. This facility, with an initial capital investment of nearly USD 300 million, is by far, the single largest private healthcare investment both in Nigeria and on the continent. It will be the first of many facilities being considered across Africa and will serve as the headquarters for AMCE on the continent.”

    In addition, the board has approved the proposal of the AMCE executives to organize a medical conference in the first quarter of 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. This conference will serve as a unique platform for African leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities in the realms of medical and scientific fields with the goal of increasing awareness and collaboration in the areas of research, innovation, and public health throughout the continent. The conference will align discussions and outcomes with the objectives of the African Union and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), by supporting the healthcare goals outlined in “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.”

    Brian Deaver, CEO of AMCE Abuja commented that “The AMCE initiative is a great step forward in addressing the continent’s healthcare needs. Its success will require strong leadership, commitment, and collaboration. The decisions taken at this first board meeting represent an integral step in ensuring that beyond these broad objectives, the AMCE can fulfil its mandate of delivering quality healthcare across Africa, and we are honored to have Professor Oramah as Chairman of the Board.”

    A significant focus of the AMCE Abuja is to perform innovative and ground-breaking research, development and educational programs in partnership with leading global institutions such as the KCH, the Christies Manchester and University of Wisconsin, USA, in order to develop additional insights into diseases and treatment trends to improve the quality of care available in Nigeria and the West African region.

    The facility will also provide first-class medical equipment and infrastructure that include PET CT scans, Cyclotrons that will produce nuclear isotopes, Linear Accelerators for radiotherapy, chemotherapy suites, fully equipped modular theatres, HTR/ HDR machines, among many others which are currently not available in sub-Saharan Africa in order to deliver superior quality of diagnostic and specialty services.

    With the initial capital outlay for the first phase of the AMCE Abuja at nearly 300 million US dollars, the facility is by far, the single largest private healthcare investment in Nigeria. This investment is set to rise to 700 million US dollars upon completion of the second phase of the project. The construction of AMCE Abuja commenced in 2022, and it is projected to be completed and commissioned in 2025.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.