West Africa

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Governance
REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

Africa: Ready to Respond

by Shingai Machingaidze, Gerald Chirinda

The changing story of a vulnerable continent better prepared to respond to pandemics

Governance
The palms of a person suffering from monkeypox show small circular shaped welts. The rash is strikingly similar to a smallpox rash.

U.S. Monkeypox Case Contained

by Mary Brophy Marcus

But strong international partnerships are needed to keep the virus from spreading in the future

A masked-trader carriers two female-form mannequins as he closes his business ahead of the lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic in Nairobi, Kenya.
Urbanization

The Africa We Want: Protecting Health and Livelihood

by Evaborhene Aghogho Nelson 

Deepening economic integration to boost intra-African trade requires an equal investment in public health structures

People wearing protective face masks wait for their rapid antigen test results outside a community center, amidst the spread of coronavirus in New Delhi, India, on September 17, 2020. The photo shows a large crowd of people from behind the bars of an iron fence. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
Governance

Human Rights and the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Oluwatemilorun Adenipekun

Governments have an obligation to guarantee the continued protection of the public's rights during and after a pandemic

The author argues for pandemic responses that do not sacrifice long-term health projects—just as Kenyan fashionista James Maina Mwangi, on July 30, 2020, blends 160 stylish suits with sensible masks. Picture shows James smartly dressed in a well-appointed purple suit with a matching mask. In the background are striking blue and orange and green suits hanging on the wall. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
Poverty

Combating COVID-19 Without Sacrificing Sustainable Development Goals

by Mitsuru Mukaigawara

We must not stop investing in long-term health projects—even under significant resource constraints in times of pandemic

A player checks his cards during the finals of the Russian Masters Poker Cup at the Azov-City, Russia, gambling zone, south of Russia's southern city of Rostov-on-Don, on September 23, 2010. Photo shows a pair of hands holding up the corners of two cards to reveal a pair of aces. A large stack of chips is in the background. REUTERS/Vladimir Konstantinov
Governance

All Bets Are Off for Measuring Pandemic Preparedness

by Sawyer Crosby, Joseph L. Dieleman, Samantha Kiernan, Thomas J. Bollyky

Three standard measures don't predict how countries fare in COVID-19—so how do we better prepare for the next pandemic?

Public transport bus staff offers hand-sanitizer to a passenger who is about to board the bus on the first day of the easing of the lockdown measures during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lagos, Nigeria May 4, 2020. The photo shows a bus driver dispensing sanitizer to passengers as they board. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja
Urbanization

Shifting Front Lines in West Africa

by Evaborhene Aghogho Nelson 

Leveraging community health promoters to protect vulnerable populations against COVID- 19 and other threats in Nigeria

Cuban doctors receive Cuban and Italian flags during a farewell ceremony before departing to Italy to assist, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in Havana, Cuba, on March 21, 2020. the photo shows doctors lined up taking flags of Italy and cuba. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini
Migration

Medical Diplomacy—Lessons From Cuba

by Hannah Todd

COVID-19 is a chance to design more efficient, equitable, and ethical health care responses during a crisis

A woman gets her eyes tested at a free eye-care camp on the occasion of Indian politician Babasaheb Ambedkar's death anniversary in Mumbai, India, December 6, 2019. The photo shows an older woman with testing glasses on her face. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas
Poverty

COVID-19 Highlights the Need for Universal Health Coverage

by Anthony McDonnell

Universal health coverage is achievable for all countries—and in the aftermath of the pandemic, it should be implemented

Children are seen on a bike after Muslims in Nigeria perform Eid prayer following the global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nasarawa May 24, 2020. The photo shows four children crammed together on a bike. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde
Governance

Coronavirus in Nigeria: A Case for Community Engagement

by Evaborhene Aghogho Nelson 

Nigerians should have a sense of ownership in mitigation—how their daily sacrifices help to curb this deadly pandemic

The shadow of a girl receiving an evening meal from a humanitarian service center is cast on a wall in front of her family home in Russeifa, Jordan, on April 28, 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture shows the girl's shadow on an old wall. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed
Governance

The WHO We Need for the Next Pandemic

by Nina Sun, Joe Amon

The World Health Organization should be more independent, collaborate with NGOs, and increase emphasis on human rights

A general view of shacks during a nationwide twenty-one day pandemic lockdown in an attempt to contain coronavirus infections in Umlazi township near Durban, South Africa, on March 31, 2020. The photo shows a hillside covered with tin shacks, some colorfully painted. REUTERS/Rogan Ward
Urbanization

Africa and Coronavirus—Will Lockdowns Work?

by Salma Abdalla, Sandro Galea

Here's why countries in Africa should chart their own paths in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic—and two ways they can

Nurses at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City's Bronx borough hold a protest demanding N95 masks and other critical personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 2, 2020. The photo shows a number of nurses lined up holding placards. One of them plays off the term PPE and spells out "Please Protect Everyone." REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid
Governance

All Focus Must Turn to Health Care Workers Now

by Amanda McClelland

To save ourselves we need to protect the people who risk everything and sacrifice their own safety to save everyone else

Helping youth directly address their leaders: Mariam Abou Gado, Ouagadougou Partnership Youth Ambassador in Niger, meets with President Issoufou of Niger to discuss recommendations on family planning. The photo shows a smiling Miriam shaking hands with the president. PHOTO courtesy of EtriLabs/Yves Tamomo
Gender

An Improbable Success in a Troubled Region

by Janet Fleischman, Marie Ba

The Ouagadougou Partnership in Francophone West Africa advances access to family planning for health and development