March 7, 2022

Hitachi Energy selected as technology partner for the world’s longest AC power-from-shore project in Norway

World-first solution will combine two power quality technologies to deliver renewable energy reliably and safely from the mainland power grid

Zurich, Switzerland, March 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hitachi Energy, the global technology and market leader in power grids, announced today that it has been selected by Aker BP, the Norwegian oil and gas exploration and production company, as technology partner for the NOAKA power-from-shore project off the Norwegian coast. The entire project will be powered by up to 150 megawatts of power from the mainland grid – making it the world’s longest power-from-shore AC connection at around 250 km.

Hitachi Energy will perform detailed front-end engineering and design (FEED) studies for a power quality solution that will enable the Aker BP operated NOA Fulla field and the Equinor operated Krafla field in the North Sea to be powered from the mainland. The contract awarded to Hitachi Energy includes an option to deliver the power quality solution when the FEED studies are completed.

By using power from the mainland grid, which is mainly renewable hydropower, minimizes NOAKA’s carbon footprint. To ensure the smooth, reliable and safe transmission of electricity to the offshore platforms, Hitachi Energy’s solution combines two power quality technologies that have never been used before for this type of application: a high-performance STATCOM, called SVC Light^®, and thyristor-controlled series capacitors. The MACH™ control and protection system, will enable the two technologies to work in harmony as a single synchronized solution. This will be made possible by leveraging Hitachi Energy’s extensive and unique know-how in power quality solutions as well as its domain integration capabilities.

“We are delighted that Aker BP has selected our pioneering power quality solution, enabling this vital energy project to be powered with emission-free renewable energy,” says Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “This world-first solution will also enable progress toward mega-scale offshore renewable power installations, offering viable alternative pathways for connecting power from shore with AC over long distances.”

“Our ambition is to develop the NOAKA area with a minimum carbon footprint and a prerequisite for this is that the fields are supplied with power-from-shore,” says Lars Høier, Senior Vice President and Asset Manager for NOAKA at Aker BP. “We selected Hitachi Energy as our trusted technology partner to provide a reliable and flexible grid connection and power quality solution to secure high reliability in our operations.”

Hitachi Energy’s proposed solution comprises a new grid connection to house the STATCOM, thyristor-controlled series capacitors, shunt reactors and gas-insulated switchgear. The solution will also increase the transmission capacity of an existing 420 kV mainland grid connection with new gas-insulated switchgear and a power transformer. These are all technologies made by Hitachi Energy to secure exceptional levels of grid availability and reliability.

Hitachi Energy: proven track record in long-distance power-from-shore

Hitachi Energy supplied the world’s first long-distance power-from-shore installation in Norway in 2005 using its HVDC Light^® high-voltage direct current technology. Since then, Hitachi Energy has supplied four of the five HVDC power-from-shore installations, all of which supply platforms off the Norwegian coast. In December 2021, Hitachi Energy won a contract to supply the most powerful power-from-shore solution in the Middle East and North Africa. The solution will deliver 3,200 MW of low-carbon power to two offshore production clusters, reducing the clusters’ emissions by up to 35 percent.

About Hitachi Energy Ltd.

Hitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We serve customers in the utility, industry and infrastructure sectors with innovative solutions and services across the value chain. Together with customers and partners, we pioneer technologies and enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. We are advancing the world’s energy system to become more sustainable, flexible and secure whilst balancing social, environmental and economic value. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 38,000 people in 90 countries and generate business volumes of approximately $10 billion USD.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company’s consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at https://www.hitachi.com.

Attachment

NOAKA project offshore platform- rendered image

Rebecca Bleasdale
Hitachi Energy Ltd.
+41 78643 2613
rebecca.bleasdale@hitachienergy.com

March 7, 2022

Meinergy Signs Agreement with Huawei on a 1 GW and 500 MWh Project to Facilitate Green Development of Ghana

BARCELONA, Spain, March 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Huawei Digital Power) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Meinergy Technology Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as Meinergy), the leading PV developer in West Africa. Under the agreement, Huawei Digital Power will provide a complete smart PV & energy storage system (ESS) solution for the 1 GW utility-scale PV plant and 500 MWh ESS project developed by Meinergy in Ghana.

Wu Guangwen (CEO – Meinergy), Zhou Wei (Managing Director – Huawei Ghana Representative Office), and Fang Liangzhou (Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer – Huawei Digital Power), attended the signing ceremony.

To meet the increasing demand for power, diversify energy mix, and accelerate economic development, the government of Ghana has set its strategic goal for renewable energy: Increase the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix to 10%, promote green energy, and make power accessible nationwide by 2030.

Meinergy has been in Ghana for many years, and its business covers mining, electric power, and PV sectors. Against the backdrop of global energy mix transformation, Meinergy has vigorously expanded its renewable energy business in Ghana and other countries in Africa to provide stable green power for local communities and bridge the electric power divide.

The two parties have had close cooperation in utility-scale PV plants, integration of PV and hydropower, energy storage, and residential PV in Ghana and have achieved outstanding business results. Both parties expect to further cooperate in PV & ESS plant development, data centers, eLTE, and public cloud to build a greener Africa.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760287/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Executives.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1760288/Meinergy_Signs_Agreement_with_Huawei_Solar_Panels.jpg

March 7, 2022

Afghanistan Faces Return to Highest Maternal Mortality Rates

Afghanistan faces a serious risk of backtracking to its notoriously high maternal mortality rates because of sudden drops in foreign funding, a shortage of health care workers, mobility restrictions and worsening poverty, health professionals have told VOA.

More than 1,600 Afghan mothers were dying for every 100,000 live births in 2001. With strong technical and financial support from donors, the country reduced the rate to about 640 deaths by 2018.

Donors were spending about $1 billion annually on Afghanistan’s health sector, but all development funding ceased immediately when the Taliban returned to power in August.

The abrupt funding shortage crippled the country’s donor-dependent public health system amid a global pandemic and a nearly universal poverty rate in the country.

By September 2021, more than 80% of the country’s health care facilities were reported as dysfunctional because of a lack of funding and medical supplies and a shortage of personnel.

“After the change of the government in August, there was a significant drop [cumulative around 25%] in the availability and utilization of maternal health services,” Joy Rivaca Caminade, a communication specialist with the World Health Organization in Afghanistan, told VOA.

The United Nations’ children’s agency, UNICEF, gave a similar bleak assessment.

“Following the events of mid-August 2021, Afghanistan’s health sector was close to collapse, with coverage of many lifesaving interventions for women and children falling between 20 and 30% within days,” said Joe English, a UNICEF spokesperson.

Such setbacks have given rise to one of Afghanistan’s long-standing health crises — high maternal mortality.

Mortality rates during childbirth might even have gone back to what they were in 2001, said Nadia Akseer, a scientist at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.

While there is no data showing how much infant and maternal mortality rates have worsened over the past six months, public health experts say the situation has deteriorated and the future remains uncertain.

Too little aid

After aid organizations warned that Afghanistan was facing widespread starvation and famine during the cold season, Western donors agreed to provide only lifesaving humanitarian assistance, to be delivered through U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

In December, the World Bank announced it was transferring $100 million from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund — a multidonor fund set up to coordinate international aid — to UNICEF and WHO to fund emergency health activities in the country until June 2022.

U.N. agencies have welcomed the funding resumption and say the aid flow must continue or there will be serious public health consequences.

There are also concerns about the insufficiency of the funding as well as the mechanisms established for disbursement.

In addition to the nearly $1 billion in foreign assistance, the former Afghan government used to allocate about $200 million for the health sector from domestic resources annually.

The current humanitarian funding is only a fraction of what the country used to spend on health programs. And while the aid is insufficient, some are criticizing the U.N.-led aid disbursement regime.

“We know that U.N. agencies have high overhead costs, and they have their own fees,” Akseer told VOA, adding that donors must find a more cost-effective aid delivery system and consider removing economic sanctions on Afghanistan.

The World Bank and other Western donors have said no funding should be given to or disbursed through the Afghan Health Ministry, which manages public health facilities and personnel all over the country.

The United States, the largest humanitarian donor to Afghanistan, has imposed strong economic and political sanctions on the Taliban government, blocking access to about $9 billion in foreign assets, held mostly by the U.S. To help mitigate the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the U.S. Treasury has issued special licenses for the delivery of essential aid to needy Afghans on the condition that the aid will not directly benefit the Taliban.

U.N. and partner health care NGOs use foreign funds to ensure health facilities remain operational and to tackle a host of public health crises facing Afghanistan, including the pandemic, a recent increase in measles cases, growing malnutrition among children, and infectious diseases — not just infant and maternal health.

Brain drain

According to a Doctors Without Borders statement on February 23, “The Afghan heath system has been under-funded, under-staffed and dysfunctional for years. Most health facilities in Afghanistan remain under great pressure due to shortages of staff and equipment—some are barely functioning or are closed altogether.”

Even in 2016, Afghanistan had the lowest number of doctors per every 1,000 people (0.3) in Asia, according to the World Bank.

Tens of thousands of educated Afghans, among them health care professionals affiliated with international organizations, have been evacuated out of Afghanistan over the past six months.

This has created a “brain drain of health professionals,” Akseer said.

“Let’s say a midwife who worked in a typical village in Afghanistan and who was trained by an international organization, that affiliation is her ticket out of the country.”

WHO confirmed the shortage of health professionals but added there was no data to measure how this was impacting the delivery of essential health services across the country.

Afghanistan’s health problems have been compounded by economic and institutional crises.

“The increase in poverty to over 97%, the large-scale loss of livelihoods, and widespread displacement do not bode well for maternal and child health,” said English, the UNICEF spokesperson.

The Taliban’s restrictions on women’s mobility has also limited Afghan mothers’ access to health care services, aid agencies say.

“It’s very possible that just in the past six months we’ve seen higher rates of maternal mortality and maternal illness than maybe the country has seen in the past 15 years,” Akseer said.

Source: Voice of America

March 7, 2022

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of Ericsson (ERIC) Investors

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (“GPM”), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ERIC) securities between April 27, 2017 and February 25, 2022, inclusive (the “Class Period”). Ericsson investors have until May 2, 2022 to file a lead plaintiff motion.

If you suffered a loss on your Ericsson investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/ericsson/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights.

On February 15, 2022, Ericsson disclosed results of an internal investigation that detailed suspect payments made to use alternate transport routes in connection with circumventing Iraqi Customs, at a time when militant organizations, including ISIS, controlled some routes. The Company found “violations of Ericsson’s internal financial controls; conflicts of interest; non-compliance with tax laws; and obstruction of the investigation.” Though the investigation closed in 2019, the Company reportedly “did not find it material enough to disclose the findings” but “revisited its stance after enquiries about the probe from media outlets.”

On this news, Ericsson’s American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) price fell $1.45, or 11.6%, to close at $11.01 per ADS on February 16, 2022, thereby injuring investors.

Then, on February 27, 2022, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a report alleging that Ericsson had reportedly made “tens of millions of dollars in suspicious payments” over nearly a decade to keep its business in Iraq. The report also claimed that “a spreadsheet lists company probes into possible bribery, money laundering and embezzlement by employees in Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, China, Croatia, Libya, Morocco, the United States and South Africa[,]” which “have not been previously disclosed.”

On this news, Ericsson’s ADS price fell $0.84, or 8.3%, to close at $9.28 per ADS on February 28, 2022, thereby injuring investors further.

The complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Ericsson overstated the extent to which it had reformed its business practices to eliminate the use of bribes to secure business in foreign countries; (2) Ericsson had paid bribes to the terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to gain access to certain transport routes in Iraq; (3) accordingly, the Company’s revenues derived from its operations in Iraq were, in at least substantial part, derived from unlawful conduct and thus unsustainable; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, Defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Ericsson securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than May 2, 2022 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

Source: Business Wire

March 7, 2022

ERICSSON ALERT: Bragar Eagel &amp; Squire, P.C. Announces that a Class Action Lawsuit Has Been Filed Against Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson and Encourages Investors to Contact the Firm

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., a nationally recognized stockholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ERIC) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Ericsson securities between April 27, 2017 and February 25, 2022, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”). Investors have until May 2, 2022 to apply to the Court to be appointed as lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit focuses on whether the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) Ericsson overstated the extent to which it had reformed its business practices to eliminate the use of bribes to secure business in foreign countries; (2) Ericsson had paid bribes to the terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (“ISIS” or the “Islamic State”) to gain access to certain transport routes in Iraq; (3) accordingly, the Company’s revenues derived from its operations in Iraq were, in at least substantial part, derived from unlawful conduct and thus unsustainable; and (4) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On February 15, 2022, during intraday trading hours, Ericsson issued a press release disclosing media inquiries into its business dealings in Iraq. That press release assured investors of the Company’s “transparency” regarding these inquiries, while vaguely alluding to having undertaken its own investigative and compliance efforts.

Then, on February 16, 2022, Ericsson’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) told a Swedish newspaper that the Company may have made payments to ISIS to gain access to certain transport routes in Iraq, noting that the Company had identified “unusual expenses dating back to 2018” but had not yet determined the final recipient of the funds for those expenses, although Defendants could “see that it disappeared[,]” and that Ericsson has spent “considerable resources trying to understand this as best we can.”

Following these disclosures, Ericsson’s American Depositary Share (“ADS”) price fell $1.44 per ADS, or 11.57%, to close at $11.01 per ADS on February 16, 2022.

Finally, on Sunday, February 27, 2022, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (“ICIJ”) published a report on Ericsson’s alleged dealings with ISIS in Iraq, citing a leaked internal investigation that revealed that Ericsson had reportedly made “tens of millions of dollars in suspicious payments” over nearly a decade to keep its business in the country.

The ICIJ report also alleged that “a spreadsheet lists company probes into possible bribery, money laundering and embezzlement by employees in Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, China, Croatia, Libya, Morocco, the United States and South Africa[,]” which “have not been previously disclosed.”

On this news, Ericsson’s ADS price fell $0.84 per ADS, or 8.3%, from its closing price on February 25, 2022, to close at $9.28 per ADS on February 28, 2022, the next trading day.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired Ericsson shares and suffered a loss, are a long-term stockholder, have information, would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Brandon Walker or Alexandra Raymond by email at investigations@bespc.com, telephone at (212) 355-4648, or by filling out this contact form. There is no cost or obligation to you.

Source: Business Wire

March 7, 2022

ERIC SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Robbins LLP Reminds Investors of Class Action Against Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericcson (ERIC)

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Class: Shareholder rights law firm Robbins LLP reminds investors that a shareholder filed a class action on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericcson (NASDAQ: ERIC) securities between April 27, 2017 and February 25, 2022, for violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ericcson, along with its subsidiaries, provides communication infrastructure, services, and software solutions to the telecommunications and other sectors.

What is this Case About: Ericcson (ERIC) Allegedly Paid Terrorists to Utilize Transport Routes in Iraq

According to the complaint, on February 15, 2022, Ericcson issued a press release detailing its work in Iraq and noting “[u]nusual expense claims in Iraq, dating back to 2018, triggered a review that uncovered compliance concerns about breaches of the company’s Code of Business Ethics.” The press release provided details of the investigation and the outcomes, including terminating employees and third-party relationships and continued evaluation of the Company’s remediation plans.

On February 16, 2022, news outlets reported that Ericsson may have made payments to the ISIS terrorist organization to gain access to certain transport routes in Iraq. On this news, Ericcson’s ADS price fell $1.44 per share, or 11.57%, to close at $11.01 per ADS on February 16, 2022.

Then, on February 27, 2022, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a report on Ericcson’s alleged dealings with ISIS in Iraq, revealing that Ericcson had reportedly made “tens of millions of dollars in suspicious payments” over nearly a decade to keep its business in the country. The report also alleged that “a spreadsheet lists company probes into possible bribery, money laundering and embezzlement by employees in Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brazil, China, Croatia, Libya, Morocco, the United States and South Africa[,]” which “have not been previously disclosed.” On this news, Ericcson’s ADS prices fell $0.84 per ADS, or 8.3%, to close at $9.28 per ADS on February 28, 2022.

Next Steps: If you acquired shares of Ericcson (ERIC) between April 27, 2017 and February 25, 2022, you have until May 2, 2022, to ask the court to appoint you lead plaintiff for the class. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery.

Source: Business Wire

March 7, 2022

Baby Gets Heart Transplant With a Twist to Fight Rejection

Duke University doctors say a baby is thriving after a first-of-its-kind heart transplant — one that came with a bonus technique to try to help prevent rejection of the new organ.

The thymus plays a critical role in building the immune system. Doctors have wondered if implanting some thymus tissue that matched a donated organ might help it survive without the recipient needing toxic anti-rejection medicines.

Easton Sinnamon of Asheboro, North Carolina, received his unique transplant last summer when he was 6 months old. But Duke waited to announce it until Monday after doctors learned the specially processed thymus implants appear to be functioning like they’d hoped — producing immune cells that don’t treat the tot’s new heart like foreign tissue.

Doctors eventually will try weaning Easton off the immune-suppressing drugs required after a transplant, said Dr. Joseph Turek, Duke’s chief of pediatric cardiac surgery.

The research is in very early stages and just one possible method scientists are testing in hopes of inducing what’s called immune tolerance to a transplant.

But Turek says if it works, it could be attempted with other organ transplants, not just the heart.

Easton was a candidate for the experimental transplant because he had two separate health problems. He was born with some heart defects that surgeries right after birth failed to solve. And he suffered recurrent infections that doctors eventually realized meant his own thymus wasn’t working properly.

Some babies are born without a thymus, which stimulates development of part of the immune system known as T cells. Separately, Duke researchers had been working with Enzyvant Therapeutics to develop lab-grown implants of donated thymus tissue to treat that rare disorder.

Easton got a combination of the two procedures. First surgeons implanted his new heart while the donated thymus was sent to a lab. About two weeks later, he had a second operation to implant the processed thymus tissue. His own partially working thymus was removed, to clear the way for new immune cells to take hold.

About six months later, testing shows the thymus tissue is building Easton well-functioning new T cells, said Turek.

Source: Voice of America

March 7, 2022

Optimizing vaccine uptake through training teachers and school boards

After two years of crippling with COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of vaccines had shown the light into a better future, a better future for the economy, social life and academic life of every country.

Schools were highly disrupted by the pandemic totally closing for over a year and for some introducing online learning, a struggle for many students and teachers. With the introduction of the Pfizer vaccine, eligible for 12 to 17 year olds massive hope for the full-time schooling of children is evident. The Ministry of Education in Lesotho is directing maximum effort to ensure that every student receives high-quality education, while working to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of students, families, teachers, and staff.

Thabiso Motšoeneng, 14 years old, is one of a few young people who decided without hesitation to take the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in December 2021. He has only started his secondary school but does not stop to express his love for science, with great emphasis on the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have been reading a lot of articles online about the pandemic during the long unfortunate break we had and I think out of all the health articles I have seen and news I have heard; the discovery of the vaccine was the best news for me” he says.

Thabiso’s mother, ‘Mathabiso Motšoeneng introduced us to his son during the Lesotho Red Cross COVID-19 awareness workshop for Kolojane Primary School teachers and school board members. The activity, financially supported by WHO Lesotho with funding from Canada, aims to strengthen health systems in Lesotho through the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator(ACT-A) programme.

‘Mathabiso says she had her doubts with the vaccine especially when targeted to children, “I had side effects that were moderate, headache, weakness and numbness and I was afraid it could get worse for myself but he told me he had taken the first shot and didn’t have any side-effects, I realized we are all different and respond differently to vaccine”.

Mathabiso is a member of the Kolojane primary school board who received a teaching on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines and how they work, what each participant’s role is in advocating for vaccine and increase demand in their different circles, “we learned so much about vaccines and how they work, now that we are knowledgeable we will pass what we have to our communities and children”.

Tšita Maqatsa , a nurse at Kolojane Health Centre, says prior to the activities, the vaccine uptake for 12 to 17 year olds was very low but after reaching out to two schools in the area, the uptake started to increase, “it dawned on us that people wanted to receive education for them to take informed decisions”.

So far the health centre has trained teachers and school board members in three school around the catchment area.

As of February end of 2022, at least 38.5% of the total population has been fully vaccinated and 201 240 12 to 17-year-old have received their first dose of Pfizer in Lesotho.

This activity gives school leaders an opportunity to address vaccine hesitancy and promote uptake by faculty, staff, students, and extended families in the Berea district—all of which could help the country reach herd immunity.

To do this effectively, every school effort must center equity. Schools should work to understand the needs and concerns of different people in their community, and elevate trusted local voices who can support vaccine efforts with empathy and compassion. By prioritizing equitable and innovative approaches to embracing vaccination, schools can promote the health and well-being of everyone.

We have an opportunity to return to an in-person education where every student can thrive.

The ACT-A project funded by the Canadian government focuses on engaging the private sector and non-state actors as an important venture to improve country private sector governance to strengthen equitable access to relevant COVID-19 response interventions. The initiative provides cross-cutting health systems support for the COVID-19 response, including the deployment of tools, vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, PPE, and oxygen to Lesotho.

Lesotho Red Cross is among four Non-State actors involved in the ACT-A project. Namely, Christian Health Association of Lesotho(CHAL), Global Health Access Initiative (GHAI) and the Lesotho World Vision in addressing COVID-19response gaps in the country.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa

March 7, 2022

President Weah commissions Liberia’s first National Dialysis Center and names it in honour of his predecessor

Patients with acute and chronic renal conditions in Liberia can now afford a smile as they no longer have to go abroad to seek dialysis services, thanks to the opening of a new National Dialysis center in Monrovia.

It’s been a journey of over a decade to establish the center whose foundations commenced during the leadership of President George Manneh Weah’s predecessor, Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, following the dire need for the services in Liberia for decades. In his commissioning speech, the President appropriately named the EJS Dialysis Center, in honor of Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

“When I was elected President in 2018, I was informed of the Dialysis Center Project, which began in 2011 under the leadership of our former President, Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and instructed my Minister of Health then to prioritize the project, and 4 years later, we are here today. This is an important milestone in ensuring that we provide comprehensive health care to the people of Liberia, ” President Dr. George M. Weah stated.

The opening of this facility relieves financial, social, and psychological pressure on Liberians who had to travel to other countries to seek services that were not available locally, as well as those who could not afford to raise the funds required to obtain these life-saving services in neighboring countries and beyond.

“No one needed to tell you how costly seeking the service has been. Not only would one have to worry about the cost of treatment in a foreign country, but the airfare, accommodation, and so many other associated costs, which made the overall cost of this lifesaving treatment unaffordable for many,” said President Weah.

“Grossly underestimated-our statistics show that from 2013 to 2021, 243 cases were diagnosed with chronic renal failure and 195 patients died of the condition, representing 80.2%, meaning that out of every 10 people, 8 died – a worrisome situation. These statistics do not include the people under 30 who also developed the disease. I hope this explains my excitement. I am excited because many Liberians with the condition will have the privilege of seeking care in their own country, “said the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, at the opening of the 10-bed facility in Monrovia.

The pertinent need for dialysis services in Liberia became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic as patients with renal disease could not get the required assistance in the country. Coupled with the uncontrolled prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDS) such as hypertension and diabetes, which greatly contribute to renal failure, made the situation deplorable during the pandemic.

“The combination of both COVID-19 and NCDSs reinforces the need to strengthen the health system at this specialty facility. It is another milestone in Liberia’s health system and has the potential to deliver safe and effective treatment that can preserve the lives of people with end-stage renal disease. I congratulate the President, His Excellency. Dr. George M. Weah for this achievement and prioritizing the health agenda” expressed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Liberia Country Representative, Dr. Peter Clement.

The WHO Liberia Country Representative, Dr. Clement, further observed that as the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and related deaths in Liberia is unknown, the double burden of non-communicable and communicable diseases is a reminder to focus on cost-effective preventive measures, which include maintaining healthy lifestyles. Liberia is currently undertaking a national risk-factors survey on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) whose results will generate new evidence on Liberia’s data to inform policy and strategic direction.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is causing an increase in renal problems all over the world, with a bigger burden in developing countries. The global burden is estimated to be between 10% and 30%, with a similar figure of around 13.9 % in Africa. Due to late case presentation, dialysis discontinuance, and substandard dialysis service quality, the death toll in Sub-Saharan Africa is very high.

The WHO supported the Ministry of Health with the refurbishment of the EJS National Dialysis facility and contributed to the training of nurses and biotechnologists, as well as the purchase of the first lot of consumables, with financial help from the World Bank.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa

March 7, 2022

US Government Donates Pfizer Vaccines to Government of The Gambia

As the world grapples with the COVID-19, even though most countries reporting a decline in number of cases registered. governments around the world are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to protect their citizens from the dreadful disease

Indeed, the Government of the Gambia together with its partners have been working tirelessly to control the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring vaccines are made available, massive sensitization and adherence to public health and social measures. Thanks to the COVAX facility, The Gambia has received hundreds of thousands of doses of different vaccines including AstraZeneca, Janssen and Janssen (J&J) and Sinopharm

Another boost to Gambia’s Covid-19 vaccination efforts was the arrival, on 3 March 2022, of 100,0620 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, donated by the Government of the United States of America. At a colorful ceremony today at the Banjul International Airport, the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh received the vaccines on behalf of the Government and people of the Gambia.

Receiving the vaccines from the Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in the Gambia, Mr Jason Willis, Hon. Samateh expressed gratitude to the United States Government for this gesture. “This is the first time the Gambia has received this life-saving vaccine, which will go a long in protecting our population from Covid-19”. Hon Minister asserted. He also paid tribute to other partners including WHO and UNICEF for their great contributions to containing the pandemic

He hailed the vigorous sensitization campaigns that has reduced the misconceptions and misinformation that prevailed in the past.

Hon. Samateh urged all people living in the Gambia and have not yet received their vaccination to come out and be vaccinated, reiterating that the vaccines are safe and will potentially save lives of families. This he went on will avert the restrictions that would have been imposed on people who are not vaccinated as it is being done in other countries.

On his part the Deputy, Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Banjul, Mr. Jason Willis, highlighted that these vaccines are a portion of the 4 Billion Dollars’ worth of vaccine provided by the United States in support of COVAX, the global initiative to distribute the vaccines worldwide. He noted that as part of their commitment, the US had already donated more than 473 million vaccines to over 110 countries, without no strings attached. He assured the gathering that the vaccines are safe and have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented serious illness in the US.

He hailed the cooperation of partners like WHO, UNICEF and the Government, without whose support it would not have been possible to witness this great day.

Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative, dilated on the COVID-19 situation globally and locally, noting that the six regions of the WHO have all registered a decline in morbidity and mortality on Covid-19. He lamented on low rate of vaccine uptake across the globe, particular in Africa. To achieve WHO’s target of 70% coverage before end of 2022, actions need to be stepped at all levels to achieve the desired coverage

Dr. Tiruneh reassured the Hon. Minister that WHO together with the UN systems and partners are always ready to provide the necessary technical and financial support to contain the current pandemicand strengthen the Health Systems in the Gambia. His final appeal to the public, “Please get vaccinated! The vaccines are safe and they are available, Go out and request to be vaccinated.”

Dr. Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF Representative, challenged and called on the media to gather and send the message out there that “if you are vaccinated, you will be safe, if you are vaccinated, your families will be safe, if your families are vaccinated, your communities are safe and if your communities are safe, the Gambia is safe”. He highlighted that only 20% of our population is vaccinate but was positive that we can reach the 70% target recommended by WHO, noting that is possible. Dr. Lewis came up with a “Get to 70%” slogan.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa