Angola News Wire

Dutch health officials said Sunday 13 people who recently arrived in the Netherlands on flights from South Africa have tested positive for the new omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The passengers were part of a group of 61 who tested positive following their arrival in Amsterdam on Friday.

The announcement came shortly after Australia said two cases of the variant were discovered in passengers who recently arrived in Sydney.

Omicron is the fifth WHO-designated variant of concern. It was first detected recently in South Africa, which has seen an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases.

There are about 30 mutations on the coronavirus’ spike protein, and scientists worry that some of them could make the virus easier to transmit. But scientists do not yet know whether omicron is in fact more transmissible or dangerous.

Cases of the variant have also been discovered in Israel, Hong Kong and several European countries.

Concern over the variant has prompted many countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, and European Union nations, to restrict or ban travel from southern African countries.

The South African government has called the travel restrictions “rushed” and raised concerns about the impact on business.

The top U.S. infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has said he would not be surprised if the omicron variant were already in the U.S.

On Sunday, Fauci told ABC’s “This Week” program that the omicron variant “appears” to be more transmissible than other variants, but health officials are still not sure if it causes more severe disease.

He said efforts are under way to determine if current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the new variant and the answer likely will come in the next two weeks.

“I don’t think there’s any possibility that this could completely evade any protection by vaccine. It may diminish it a bit, but that’s the reason why you boost,” Fauci said, referring to booster shots.

In South Africa, roughly 35% of the adult population is vaccinated. Figures are even lower across much of the African continent.

Heath experts have warned vaccine inequality would create a breeding ground for virus mutations.

Source: Voice of America

Brazzaville – As a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations (2005).

Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods. If restrictions are implemented, they should not be unnecessarily invasive or intrusive, and should be scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations which is a legally binding instrument of international law recognized by over 190 nations. This week, nations will be joining a special session of the World Health Assembly, organized by WHO to discuss how to collectively prepare and respond better to pandemics, building on their commitments to the International Health Regulations.

South Africa followed International Health Regulations and as soon as its national laboratory identified the Omicron variant informed WHO of this on the 24 November.

“The speed and transparency of the South African and Botswana governments in informing the world of the new variant is to be commended. WHO stands with African countries which had the courage to boldly share life-saving public health information, helping protect the world against the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “On the eve of a special session on pandemic preparedness I urge all countries to respect their legal obligations and implement scientifically based public health actions. It is critical that countries which are open with their data are supported as this is the only way to ensure we receive important data in a timely manner.”

While investigations continue into the Omicron variant, WHO recommends countries to take a risk-based and scientific approach and put in place measures which can limit its possible spread. Flight bans have been imposed on southern African countries, but so far only two have detected the new variant. Meanwhile countries in other regions have reported cases of Omicron.

“With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity. COVID-19 constantly exploits our divisions. We will only get the better of the virus if we work together for solutions,” said Dr Moeti.

WHO is scaling up support to genomic sequencing in Africa. Sequencing laboratories should have access to adequate human resources and testing reagents to work at full capacity. WHO is ready to support the additional human resource needs as well as mobilize funds and technical expertise to reinforce COVID-19 response activities including surveillance, treatment and infection prevention and community engagement in southern African countries. In addition, WHO is reaching out to all countries in the Region to ensure they receive necessary resources to detect and prepare for potential cases of Omicron.

WHO is urging countries to take key steps to enhance efforts to track the Omicron variant, including ensuring their PCR testing equipment can detect it, increasing their sampling and sequencing of COVID-19 test samples by at least double to 150 samples a week from the current average of 75, and review past sequencing samples for potential signs of Omicron.

In September 2020, WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention launched network of 12 laboratories to reinforce genome sequencing of the virus. Genomic surveillance has advanced significantly since the start of 2021, with the continent recording a five-fold increase in the number of genomes sequenced.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa

Zimbabwe’s government says the country is very prepared to handle the new COVID-19 variant – omicron – first reported in neighboring South Africa. The World Health Organization says a fourth wave of the pandemic is most likely to hit Africa.

Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga – who doubles as the country’s health minister – has asked the nation not to be concerned about omicron.

“The country should not panic because we are very prepared. The ramping up of our vaccination program in the past month has seen marked increase in the vaccination uptake. That is the prevention which we are going to have for our people if any other variant comes. At least when your body is protected it is much better than when you are found naked,” said the vice president.

Zimbabwe has fully inoculated about 2.8 million people since February, when it began its vaccination program to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has a target of vaccinating at least 10 million Zimbabweans — or 60% of the population — by the end of the year, a figure which might be difficult to reach given the scarcity of resources and short time left.

Itai Rusike, head of the nonprofit Community Working Group on Health, said Zimbabweans should panic about the new variant – initially named B.1.1.529 – since the country shares porous borders with South Africa and Botswana.

“And this new variant is coming at a time when the festive season is upon us. A whole lot of Zimbabweans, they use undesignated entry points. That poses a serious health challenge as they would not be properly screened and monitored as they come back to the country. What we want to encourage the government of Zimbabwe, is for them to strengthen their surveillance and monitoring system especially the land borders and make sure that the screening and monitoring at the entry points is also strengthened,” said Rusike.

Meanwhile, Humphrey Karamagi, a medical officer at the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, said on the WHO Twitter account that a fourth wave of COVID-19 is likely to hit the continent.

“A fourth wave in Africa is almost a certainty, as long as we have these factors in play, which is new variants coming up and the fact that people can be reinfected. And also, if we are getting new population who may not have been exposed. We would then have subsequent waves. Vaccination helps a lot in terms of reducing the severity of the disease [and] also reducing the risk of infection. The vaccine is not a magic bullet. So the vaccine is to work together with the public health measures to reduce the potential and risks of subsequent waves,” said Karamagi.

The WHO says COVID-19 has infected about 6.1 million people in Africa and claimed 152,113 lives. The world health body also says more than 227 million vaccine doses have been administered in Africa.

Source: Voice of America

The Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia in collaboration with its development partners led by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is conducting a Health Sector performance review that will cover the period 2009 to date. Building on the last review in 2008, the overall objective of this review is to assess progress in attainment of targets, implementation of strategies and document contextual factors impacting performance of the health system.

During the week of 15th November 2021, stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, other Government Ministries and Agencies and Partners participated in a workshop to analyze secondary data from the period under review and prepare for field data collection at national and sub-national level.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Executive Director Ministry of Health and Social Services underscored the value of the review in identifying barriers to delivering results effectively and efficiently. “We must make sure that our interventions are meeting the needs of people at the community level”, said Mr. Ben Nangombe, the Executive Director.

Based on the findings of the review, a national policy dialogue will examine the key strategic issues identified, best practices and policy implications of the findings for the National Health Policy and next Health Sector Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

“As we await the findings and recommendations from the review, it is important to note that the results are not an end in themselves and that real progress largely depends on the extent to which the evidence, recommendations and agreed actions from the review are taken forward by both the Government and its partners”, said Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, WHO Representative.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa

“It has not been an easy journey for me, for eight good months I did not sleep I do not pray for my enemy to be in the position I am now. For the past two years, I cry everyday” says Mr Joshua Alabi who lost his whole family members to a road accident in September 2019.

“My family of four were travelling back home from a journey when the incident happened, my wife was 32 years old, my children were 10, seven and two years old. I could not believe it when I heard the news. The journey has not been easy as I am now left with nothing, my only consolation is my mother and my mother in-law, I have to be strong for them.”

“The first time I slept after the incident was when I went for an outreach to widows and orphans, that was when I knew I have found a purpose. I now have a non-governmental organization that offers help to accident victims and their families, we link them to psychologist and therapists when there is need to regain their sanity, educational scholarship, vocational trainings and job opportunities. That is what keeps me going” he added.

Like Mr Alabi, a lot of people have lost their lives, families and loved ones from either vehicle speeding, negligence or bad road positions in Nigeria.

Road traffic injuries are now the leading killer of people aged 5-29 years. The burden is disproportionately borne by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, in particular those living in developing countries.

Started by Road Peace in 1993 and endorsed by the United Nations (UN) in 2005, the UN commemorates Remembrance for road traffic victims every third Sunday of November as an appropriate acknowledgement for victims of road traffic crashes and their families. This year, 2021’s theme is “Remember. Support. Act.

According to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in 2015, Nigeria recorded 12 077 road accidents of which 5 400 persons died. In 2016, the National Bureau Of Standards (NBS) reported that there were 11 363 crashes with 5 053 deaths; and in 2017, 10 026 crashes and 5 049 deaths.

Commemorate the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims day on November 21, 2021 at the Radio House in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha called on individuals to go home with a resolution that it will be a new beginning by renewing their efforts to contain road crashes on all Nigerian Roads.

He added that “Roads are prime infrastructural contributors to micro and macro-economic development of any nation. It is the backbone of our commerce, enabling passenger and freight movement across the nation. Then Federal Government will continue to expend huge resources to develop this infrastructure for its economic value. Especially in Nigeria, as indeed most economies in sub-Sahara Africa, where passenger and freight movement of 75 to 80 percent depend on road for movement and transportation.”

Also, at the event, the focal person for United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety and Injury Prevention (UNDARSIP) Professor Sydney Ibeanusi urged all road users to adopt safer road behavior habit “vehicle occupants should use the seat belts and call any defaulting drivers to order or report such dissident driver to appropriate enforcement agencies should he fail to comply with road safety rules. Motorcycle and bicycle riders must wear appropriate safety gears especially the crash helmets; vehicle drivers must drive within the stipulated speed limits and obey the “Zebra crossing” when designated; Pedestrians should use the pedestrian bridges and walk-ways when available”.

Creating awareness for safer roads

As part of the commemoration of the day, the WHO Ondo State Field Office joined the FRSC, Ondo State in creating publicity during the week by printing banners and flyers, as well as conducting sensitization on prevention of road traffic crashes across major motor parks in Akure, Ondo State. At one of the major Motor parks in Akure, sensitization on the need for low speed was held among the WHO and FRSC staff, as well as the commercial drivers.

Ondo State recorded a total of 227 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) and 91 deaths in 2020, while 364 crashes and 145 deaths were reported between January and September 2021.

Meanwhile, the Country Representative WHO Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo stated that “together with the UN regional commissions and in cooperation with other partners in the UN Road Safety Collaboration, WHO developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action. The 2021-2030 has the target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030. It is aimed to inspire countries, including governments and partners to act boldly and decisively, using the tools and knowledge gained from the last Decade of Action to change course”.

WHO as a lead agency for road safety is currently supporting advocacy for road safety among key stakeholders and high-level government officials, data collection and analysis, raising awareness of road safety, and disseminating good practices in prevention of RTC.

Source: World Health Organization. Africa

To commemorate this year’s World Prematurity Day, globally marked on 17th November yearly, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) has launched four guidelines and a training manual for newborn health.

The documents launched include: The do Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Operational Guidelines, National Guideline for Basic Newborn Care (NGBNC), National Guidelines for Comprehensive Newborn Care (NGCNC) and National Guidelines for Comprehensive Newborn Care (NGCNC) Training Manual.

While launching the guidelines at the FMoH on 25 November 2021, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire stated that the guidelines will set additional standards for newborn care in Nigeria. He therefore called for careful implementation of the content of the guidelines at the subnational level and Primary Health Care centers which will help in reducing the current high Neonatal Mortality recorded in Nigeria.

The Minister added that, “It has been established that diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and obesity increase the risk of giving birth prematurely. Therefore, pregnant women are encouraged to access early antenatal care, as this will enhance early detection of existing medical conditions and also provide the platform for counselling against alcohol and smoking in pregnancy in addition to emotional and psychological support to the pregnant woman and her family.”

World Prematurity Day is commemorated every November 17 with the aim of raising awareness for the challenges of preterm birth and emphasizing the risks and consequences faced by preterm babies and their families worldwide.

Globally, preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of five; each year, about 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely, that is about 1 in 10 children. In Nigeria, it is estimated that preterm contributes 9% of neonatal deaths. The theme for the 2021 commemoration – Zero Separation, Act Now! Keep parents and babies born too soon together – addresses the immediate needs of the newborns ‘born too soon’. It places premium on Zero separation of babies born too soon from their parent, which is to enhance the chances of prematurely born newborns to survive and thrive.

In his goodwill message at the event, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, congratulated the FMoH for the various documents being launched. He stated that the documents have identified cost-effective interventions to save newborns which include immediate skin-to-skin contact and early initiation of breastfeeding for newborns. “Skin-to-skin contact, as early after birth and as continuously as possible, has positive and protective effects, such as the regulation of cardiac and respiratory rates, the prevention of sepsis (severe infection), hypothermia (low body temperature) and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), as well as reduced hospital readmission. We believe that implementation of these documents at subnational levels will improve our neonatal health outcomes” he says.

He further reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to continue to work with the Government of Nigeria at all levels and particularly in the areas of WHO’s comparative advantages committing that “on this occasion, WHO joins the Federal Ministry of Health to affirm that newborn care and neonatal mortality reduction are among the important goals, not only for the health sector but also for Nigeria as a country towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. WHO reaffirms our Triple Billion Goal as our commitment to promoting health and wellbeing, keeping the world safe and serving the vulnerable, to achieve Universal Health Coverage and ensure that No One is left behind, as our vision of a world in which all people attain the highest possible standard of health and well-being has not changed.”

Source: World Health Organization. Africa