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CategoriesAfNHI Blog
byWACI Health Secretariat

COVID 19 AND LACK OF FUNDING NEGATING GAINS HIV PROGRESS

Stakeholders have warned that COVID 19 disruptions are likely to set back efforts made in curbing HIV infections back to ten years or more. According to UNAIDS’ new report released in July 2020, while securing antiretroviral therapy has been steadily improving, the progress is inequitable. In its report, Seizing the moment, the World Bank warns that if we don’t act, even the gains made will be lost. To reach the Millions still left behind, nations must double down and work with more urgency.

Unequal progress

Prevention of new HIV infections in Africa is far behind the rest of the world. Nearly two million people were newly infected with the virus, more than three times the global target. Seizing the moment report shows unequal progress, leaving behind vulnerable people and populations. For example, infected key populations such as gay men and their partners, men who have sex with men, sex workers, drug users and people in prison, accounted for 62 per cent of these new HIV infections. Women and girls from marginalised communities face barriers to accessing reproductive health services, especially contraception and HIV services. Those living with HIV/AIDS face stigma. A total of 59 per cent of all new HIV infections in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2019 were among women and girls, with 4500 girls and young women between 15 and 24 years old becoming infected every week. Thus, a growing number of young women are getting HIV infection, despite only making up 10 per cent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa.

Exclusion, stigma and discrimination

Social inequity and exclusion, stigma and discrimination have proven to be significant obstacles in curbing the new HIV infections. At least 82 countries criminalise HIV transmission, exposure, or non-disclosure, 103 criminalise sex work, and 108 criminalise the use, possession, or consumption of HIV related drugs.

Progress in targets

There is, however, a significant reduction in HIV transmission levels where comprehensive HIV services are provided. In addition, combining proactive medical practices with social and economic support for young women in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa has narrowed inequality gaps and driven down the incidence of new HIV infections. Fourteen countries have achieved the 90–90–90 HIV treatment targets (90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, of whom 90% are on antiretroviral treatment and of whom 90% are virally suppressed), including Eswatini, which has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, at 27% in 2019, and which has now surpassed the targets to achieve 95–95–95. The expansion of antiretroviral therapy has saved countless lives.

However, in 2019, 690 000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2019, and 12.6 million of the 38 million people living with HIV did not receive life-saving treatment. Although progress has been made, it is masking the lack of progress and challenges that continue to persist, threatening the progress made during the past decade, with tragic consequences for people’s lives, economies, and health security. Again, Sub-Saharan Africa is most affected.

A case for biomedical research

Reducing new HIV infections need to be a deliberate act in Africa. It is imperative that the locally tailored, evidence- based, and community-owned programs be tailored to sustainably reduce new HIV infections.

In the just-concluded 5th  Biomedical HIV Prevention Forum (BHPF) hosted virtually in South Africa which focused on Financing of HIV Prevention Research in Africa, findings revealed that most countries did not have funding for biomedical research, and where research happened, it was mostly donor-driven.

To achieve Africa free of New HIV infections (AfNHi)’s vision of ending new HIV infections in Africa, the BHPF aims at mobilising scientific knowledge and building bridges between science and policy. In addition to mapping potential for collaborative national and regional activities within the AfNHi network, the forum looks to strengthen connections between policy and research through information exchange with HIV prevention advocates.

Reporting on the state of funding biomedical research in Africa, Dr Caleb Mulongo, in his research findings based on four countries; Kenya, Rwanda, Eswatini and Malawi noted that none of the four countries met the recommended allocation of two per cent of a country’s domestic budget to biomedical research.

While the Abuja Declaration targets that 15 per cent of the national budget be allocated to the health docket, none of the four studied countries (Kenya, Rwanda Eswatini and Malawi) met the target. The highest was Malawi with 11.5 per cent, with Kenya reporting the lowest allocation at less than seven per cent. Rwanda allocated about eight per cent while Eswatini allocated about nine per cent of their national budget to health.

When it comes to research allocation, Malawi set aside 1.06 per cent, which was the highest allocation from the studied countries. Eswatini had the least allocation, at 0.3 per cent.  Kenya allocated 0.79 per cent while Rwanda 0.27 per cent. It is evident low allocation in the health sector which is not adequate to support quality and universal coverage of health means there is very little if any funding to allocate to biomedical research.

More than underfunding

The mini-BHPF conferences held in Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire, presented during the main BHPF forum had similar findings, that their respective countries had not prioritized biomedical research for preventing new HIV infections. More challenges beyond funding were nevertheless noted. There was a lack of expertise in writing proposals, those in charge do not know how to bind for funds to support their activities and where research was conducted, it was noted that because it was donor-driven, it did not particularly prioritise local issues, but rather ran with the donors’ agenda.

Own the process

A challenge has been thrown to African governments to invest more in biomedical research for HIV prevention funding, as well as invest in making sure systems are in place for translating findings into actions. A case of Malawi was noted, whose National Research Council of Malawi (NRCM) is domiciled in the Office of the President. This positioning is thought to be responsible for the higher allocations in the Health docket, hence elevating research as a national priority.

Other stakeholders including advocates for change, Civil Society and communities, Researchers and Front-line providers were called upon to keep the momentum for biomedical research HIV prevention funding, by pushing for better allocations of funds, elevating the discussion to the national level where policymakers sit and as well as information sharing across the countries.

 

 

 

 

CategoriesBlog WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

AU-EU Strategy – Joint Civil Society Paper On Health Ahead Of The Leaders’ Summit

On 24 February, WACI Wealth mobilized members of the Africa Civil Society Platform for Health (CISPHA) for a discussion on the AU -EU Strategy on the health pillar. CISPHA is working to increase and sustain advocacy to hold AU member states accountable especially on the outcomes of the Africa Leaders Meeting on Health, the AU-EU relations and TICAD. CISPHA’s engagement is primarily in participation in the AU technical working group and the communications and advocacy committee of AIDS Watch Africa (AWA).

The Joint AU-EU Strategy is the first long-term framework for relations between the AU and EU. It sets out the intention of both continents to move beyond a donor/recipient relationship towards long-term cooperation on jointly identified mutual and complementary interests. The conversations organized by WACI Health in collaboration with GHA France focused on health. Broadly, the framework for relations focuses on peace and stability; migration; democracy and good governance; economic development; human development (which includes health, education and nutrition), and climate change.

There are plans to have an EU AU leaders’ summit later. In readiness for the summit, European and African civil societies are currently working on a joint paper on the urgent long-term health needs for Africa and how COVID-19 has made these needs even more critical. The meaningful inclusion of civil society in the AU-EU strategy is important as it brings forth the voices of communities.

The joint civil society paper will highlight the health concerns of Africa and will focus on the health pillar to inform the roadmap towards achieving the desired long-term health outcomes. The need to include in the joint paper health systems strengthening is critical at a time when COVID-19 has devastated the already fragile health systems. There was an additional observation that community health systems are not optimized to support the pandemic. Rural communities, key populations and urban poor are still not adequately reached due to weak community health systems.

Other key considerations for inclusion in the joint paper are human resources for health, skills for health personnel, adequate remuneration and personal protection of personnel as well as health infrastructure. The needs of adolescent girls and young women who are disproportionately affected and exposed to challenges such as HIV will be included in the joint paper. Read more…..

CategoriesAfNHI Blog GFAN Africa
byWACI Health Secretariat

Domestic Resource Mobilization as a Pathway to Achieving Sustainable Health and HIV Financing in Africa

On 4 December 2019, on the sidelines of ICASA, WACI Health in partnership with GFAN Africa and civil society partners organized a meeting at the Marriott Hotel, in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss sustainable health financing in Africa. The meeting was opened by Honorable Dr Nyemazi Jean Pierre the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Rwanda who welcomed participants to the meeting on behalf of Dr Diane Gashumba, the Minister for Health. Dr Nyemazi emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to health, noting that Rwanda’s UHC coverage is at 95% as he urged other countries in Africa to invest more domestic resources so that the continent achieves the desired health outcomes.

In his remarks, Hon Yoweri Ssebekali, a Member of Parliament in Uganda & Member of Uganda TB Caucus emphasized the need for Governments to take ownership of the health of their citizens. By investing more domestic resources, and allocating these resources where there will be the biggest impact. He stressed the need for a strong focus in primary healthcare.

Shu-Shu Tekle Haimanot of the Global Fund Secretariat, Maurine Murenga of the Lean on Me Foundation and Dr. Marrie Goretti in their remarks underscored that domestic resources for health are key to ensuring everyone has access to effective, efficient and affordable healthcare whenever they need it.

Civil society then presented a statement to Dr Nyemazi, articulating the need to make further progress to defeat HIV and to sustain the gains made to date. “African Governments particularly, must urgently address HIV within the context of health and even more broadly in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure the health and wellbeing for all. Broadly in the sense that Governments must address health in the context of non – health dynamics which affect health such as education and climate change. For example, globally, almost 60% of new HIV infections among 15-24 year olds were contracted by adolescent girls and young women. Investing in the education of girls, and keeping them in school will significantly keep them healthy”. Read the statement.

Further, civil society noted that “we are at a point in time when donor funding for health in Africa is shrinking. In the absence of adequate funding for health, citizens in African countries have to pay for healthcare services from their pockets. In some countries, citizens are spending up to 40% of their household budgets to pay for healthcare.” The statement emphasized the need for Governments to put every possible effort in allocating adequate domestic resources for health, which will contribute to achieving UHC.

CategoriesBlog WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

TICAD VII: African leaders commit to reducing childhood stunting and all forms of malnutrition

Yokohama, 30 August 2019. TICAD is a platform for discussing important issues related to Africa’s development, and a process that allows all TICAD partners — African Union Member States, Japan, co-organizers and other development partners, private sector and civil society — to come together for the further development of the continent.

The Yokohama Plan of Actions 2019 which accompanies the The Yokohama Declaration 2019, lists actions expected to be implemented by the TICAD partners in order to promote focus areas of the three main pillars of the Yokohama Declaration 2019 adopted at TICAD 7.

As per the Yokohama Plan of action, African leadership has prioritized nutrition and with support from the government of Japan has specifically committed to reducing childhood stunning and all forms of malnutrition. According to the action plan, the Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy 2015-2025, is the African Union flagship initiative within which this commitment will be realized.

We at WACI Health join other civil society organizations in applauding the African leadership for their commitments towards improving health and nutrition outcomes in the region.  However, we are concerned that despite recent gains in addressing and lowering malnutrition on the African continent, many African nations are still facing increasing rates of childhood stunting and wasting.

The Continental Nutrition Accountability Scorecard is worrying with many member states lagging being on their nutrition targets. For example, we note with great concern that only two member states are on track on stunting targets.

We call upon the African leadership to act urgently towards increased investments in nutrition and deliver on their nutrition targets and commitments.

Contacts:

Rosemary Mburu- rosemary@wacihealth.org

Fitsum Alemayehu- fistum@wacihealth.org

 

CategoriesBlog WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

Breastfeeding pegged on reduced maternal mortality

The World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from August 1 to 7, annually aims at focusing attention on the need to mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of life.

This year’s theme was’ Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet’.

Unfortunately, unacceptably high number of women do not enjoy this privilege of breastfeeding their children because they never make it out of the delivery room alive.

Excessive bleeding or post-partum haemorrhage during or after child birth is the single highest killer of mothers in Africa.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) at least 295,000 women died during birth in 2017.

MATERNAL DEATHS

Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for roughly two-third (196,000) of these global maternal deaths.  This in itself is unacceptably high.

Mothers need to stay alive to provide their children with the best possible start in life – breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding delivers health, nutritional and emotional benefits for children and it forms part of a sustainable food system. Unfortunately, this is not a possibility for mothers who lose their lives while delivering their babies.

WHO, based on extensive new evidence, issued two recommendations for prevention and treatment of bleeding in women and included two new medicines in the WHO model list of essential medicines in 2019.

If these recommendations are implemented, they will contribute to the reduction in maternal mortality especially in low and middle income countries.

BLOOD LOSS

Administration of an effective uterotonic (these are drugs that help the uterus to contract and helps reduce blood loss during child birth) immediately after the birth of the baby has been shown to prevent PPH caused by the uterus failing to contract and is recommended by the WHO for all births.

Currently, most low and middle-income countries use oxytocin injection as the first line medicine for the prevention and treatment of PPH.

Oxytocin is a heat sensitive product that degrades when it is not kept refrigerated with temperatures of 2-8 °C (35-46 °F) throughout the supply chain, which can result in reduced effectiveness at the time of use, particularly in countries where reliable electricity and cold-chain may not be available.

Most countries in Africa use Oxytocin, a drug to stop bleeding during or after pregnancy, which requires cold chain. Many hospitals lack refrigeration facilities and also experience erratic power supply hence the efficacy of the drug becomes compromised. There are also many fake products in circulation.

COVID-19

Covid-19 has shown us that most of our health-care facilities are compromised in dealing with the pandemic be it human resource or equipment.

While most African countries  have stepped up and working on strengthening their healthcare systems, we should not forget the fact that maternal mortality still remains high in this region and that there is a cost effective solution available especially in our resource stretched economies.

The 2018 recommendations issued by WHO for drugs that support the uterus to go back to ‘its setting” after delivery now includes heat stable carbetocin as an option for prevention of bleeding for all births by a skilled birth attendant.

This particular drug is heat stable and a new formulation which retains its effectiveness for at least 36 months when stored at temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius.

TRAUMA PATIENTS

Another drug that has been in use for years in reducing blood loss during surgery for trauma patients – Tranexamic Acid – is also part of the recommendation. While it had previously not been a go-to drug for reducing bleeding during birth, WHO has now included in the 2019 list of essential medicines with an obstetric indication- treatment of Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH).

These medicines, some new but some not so new are much needed on a continent that should not be losing mothers when there are ways to prevent it. While these medicines have been included in the essential drugs list by WHO, most African countries are yet to include them on their country’s lists.

For mothers to continue breastfeeding, they need to stay alive after delivery. To achieve this, we need to include drugs that work and that can maintain their efficacy even in resource strapped areas to save the lives of mothers and to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality.

Joyce Ng’ang’a is the Policy Advisor at WACI Health

CategoriesBlog GFAN Africa WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

Domestic Resource Mobilization as a Pathway to Achieving Sustainable Health and HIV Financing in Africa

On 4 December 2019, on the sidelines of ICASA, WACI Health in partnership with GFAN Africa and civil society partners organized a meeting at the Marriott Hotel, in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss sustainable health financing in Africa. The meeting was opened by Honorable Dr Nyemazi Jean Pierre the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health in Rwanda who welcomed participants to the meeting on behalf of Dr Diane Gashumba, the Minister for Health. Dr Nyemazi emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to health, noting that Rwanda’s UHC coverage is at 95% as he urged other countries in Africa to invest more domestic resources so that the continent achieves the desired health outcomes.

In his remarks, Hon Yoweri Ssebekali, a Member of Parliament in Uganda & Member of Uganda TB Caucus emphasized the need for Governments to take ownership of the health of their citizens. By investing more domestic resources, and allocating these resources where there will be the biggest impact. He stressed the need for a strong focus in primary healthcare.

Shu-Shu Tekle Haimanot of the Global Fund Secretariat, Maurine Murenga of the Lean on Me Foundation and Dr. Marrie Goretti in their remarks underscored that domestic resources for health are key to ensuring everyone has access to effective, efficient and affordable healthcare whenever they need it.

Civil society then presented a statement to Dr Nyemazi, articulating the need to make further progress to defeat HIV and to sustain the gains made to date. “African Governments particularly, must urgently address HIV within the context of health and even more broadly in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to ensure the health and wellbeing for all. Broadly in the sense that Governments must address health in the context of non – health dynamics which affect health such as education and climate change. For example, globally, almost 60% of new HIV infections among 15-24 year olds were contracted by adolescent girls and young women. Investing in the education of girls, and keeping them in school will significantly keep them healthy”. Read the statement.

Further, civil society noted that “we are at a point in time when donor funding for health in Africa is shrinking. In the absence of adequate funding for health, citizens in African countries have to pay for healthcare services from their pockets. In some countries, citizens are spending up to 40% of their household budgets to pay for healthcare.” The statement emphasized the need for Governments to put every possible effort in allocating adequate domestic resources for health, which will contribute to achieving UHC.
.

CategoriesBlog News
byWACI Health Secretariat

WACI Health to Co-Host UHC Civil Society Mechanism

Cape town, South Africa- WACI Health is delighted to co-host the UHC2030 Civil Society  Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) jointly with MSH starting June 2020. MSH has served as the Secretariat for the CSEM since 2018. In this new partnership, WACI Health joins MSH in supporting the efforts of more than 1,000 members of the CSEM from more than 850 organisations in 100+ countries who are leading UHC-focused advocacy. CSEM is the civil society constituency of the International Health Partnership for UHC 2030 (UHC2030), the global movement to strengthen health systems for universal health coverage. As an Africa regional advocacy organisation, WACI Health brings to this partnership over two decades of experience and expertise in civil society convening and organising for health advocacy and accountability. ‘We take up this role at a time when COVID-19 has raised the urgency for global and country leadership towards investments that will strengthen health systems to withstand any challenge including COVID-19. Through this partnership, we will especially support CSEM in outreach to country and regional civil society voices for stronger, inclusive and sustainable health systems for UHC’, Rosemary Mburu, Executive Director, WACI Health. Membership of the CSEM is open to all civil society representatives advancing health, financing and governance agendas that relate to achieving UHC.

Contact: csem@wacihealth.org

CategoriesBlog YL4H
byWACI Health Secretariat

Life in a Community in Navrongo, Ghana – Through the Lens of a Youth Leader for Health

By: Esmond Wedam Nonterah, BSc

I live in Navrongo in the Upper East Region, approximately 814 km from Ghana’s capital, Accra. I am a postgraduate student studying Population Studies at the Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS), University of Ghana, Legon, Accra and a trained youth advocate under the Youth Leaders for Health Program.

Youth Leaders for Health is a joint program by WACI Health, RESULTS UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generation and CISMAT- Sierra Leone with support from Comic Relief, UK.

I never imagined that in my lifetime, there would be a pandemic that would rock the world forcing us all to stay home.

Past

 I am told that I was born a happy child, always smiling, particularly when I was thrown up into the air and touching people with my little hands. As I grew, this did not change: having people close made me happy. Now we have to social distance…

 

In this town, people believe in the spirits having close ties with the people…is that changing too? Is COVID-19 having such a spiritual impact?

 

I lived through the Ebola scare which swept through Africa but fortunately didn’t enter Ghana. This pandemic feels different.

 

Present – First 8 Weeks of Hearing about COVID-19

 

Everything has changed. Every conversation is centered on COVID-19. Ghana had its first case of COVID-19 on March 13th 2020.

 

Market women practice social distancing, unheard of prior to COVID-19. The gates of all schools have closed, children play gleefully in the house but under the very watchful eyes of their parents and people are afraid to touch each other. The borders, drinking spots and public places remain closed apart from a few bars that open nevertheless.  Articles and documentaries on similar pandemics look like movies, except they are actually a reflection of today’s reality.

 

My health advocacy work

As I advocate each day, I do this with a little bit of fear mixed with greater portions of courage. Whenever you watch the news, you hear so much about COVID-19 myths, which have now been debunked. These uncertainties drive us to paranoia.

Some in my community, through ignorance, believe that drinking alcohol can prevent infections from COVID-19 so some drinking bars in Navrongo open up to customers. In these pubs, social distancing has been thrown to the dogs and misinformation thrives.

In my work as a health advocate, I have decided that my messaging within the community will combine the subjects of malaria and COVID-19. I was invited to speak on Radio FAS in Navrongo where I talked on preventive measures for both COVID-19 and malaria. It was a great experience as it gave me the opportunity to do what I love: “advocacy”.

I believe that mortality numbers for malaria is still higher than that of COVID-19. In order to have coherent messaging, I imbued COVID-19 precautionary measures in my antimalarial dissemination message on radio and on social media. Additionally, I continue to educate my peers on COVID-19. We meet in small groups of 5-6 persons in a prearranged location and we share thoughts, fears and strategies for keeping safe.

Despite mortality being lower among the youth, I believe we have a very big role to play in flattening the curve and also minimizing the spread. We must learn how to live with COVID-19. Until a time when a vaccine is produced, COVID-19 will keep serving as a threat and the best thing I think other advocates and I can do is to constantly remind the people around us that COVID-19 is real and that they have a duty to help stop or minimize the spread of the virus.

In my community, for several days there was talk about how COVID-19 only spreads to and kills older people. Misinformation, again. I met with community members and educated them about how infectious this pandemic is and that we are all at risk of contracting the virus, regardless of age.

These are real challenges to targeted and effective community advocacy.

Nevertheless, I admire the entrepreneurial spirits of Ghanaians. Face masks were previously expensive and scarce but are now affordable by kind courtesy of our tailors. Yet some people have simply decided not to wear them. It is difficult to blame ignorance because they see others wearing it.

 

After 8 Weeks of COVID-19   

I rarely go outside as school is now online, so every morning I open my laptop, log in to Zoom and listen to my lecturers speak with varying degrees of poor internet connection. It is not easy but this is the kind of life we have to live at Navrongo. As days turn into weeks then into months, we each long for things to go back to normal. Sometimes I ask myself, “what kind of normal are we looking forward to? The old normal or a new normal?”

The way of life of conservative Navrongo has changed. Sometimes, I wonder how life after COVID-19 would be and how we would socialize, how customs and traditions would change and how the internet would now be the major means of communication in contrast to face-to-face communication.

Oh dear.

In the words of my mentor, Dr Sylvia Anie: “Advocacy is challenging when faced with misinformation, fear and negative social norms… a true advocate is able to adjust and refine his/her message to suit the circumstance”.

 

 

 

CategoriesBlog YL4H
byWACI Health Secretariat

COVID-19: YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A TASK TODAY AND TOMORROW

By: Aloyce P. Urassa, Youth Leader for Health-Tanzania

Every time I listen or watch the news, I learn the world is speaking one language. Even though there are no new cases update within country, we are all in one way or the other talking about COVID-19, which has so far washed away over three hundred and sixty thousand lives, bruised the economy and social life at large.

As the world is in shambles and experiencing a huge adjustment into “the new normal” it is clear and beyond doubt that the world needs not only to bounce back but to correct and adjust for a better tomorrow.

On 26th April 2020, during my presentation on radio about engagement of young people in health systems strengthening, I received a very interesting and rhetorical question from a listener who introduced himself as a young person, “How can the government or any institution move forward in planning and even implementation of policies without including the torchbearers? Will they not stumble in the dark?”

Indeed, young people are the torchbearers for combating global threats and for sustainable development. Some of us, through the Youth Leaders for Health program (YL4H) have had international training on leadership and advocacy. YL4H program has had a tremendous impact on me. I have learnt effective ways to do advocacy and tell impactful stories that help to shape and bring changes in communities.

WE NEED TO CREATE A STORY OF NOW

“Do what it takes to make it happen” Dr. Elichilia Shao

As young health advocates, it is time to amplify our voices in advocating for health systems strengthening and strong endorsement of the fight against other killers such as malaria in the midst of COVID-19. It is a particularly important moment now, to put into action all the good experience we have and we continue to learn.

We can do that, by creating public awareness on preventative measures and we can encourage behavioral change by example within our workplaces, universities,

We can do that, by creating public awareness on preventative measures and we can encourage behavioral change by example within our workplaces, universities, communities and homes. As the quotation from a book ‘Dream, make it happen’ by Dr. Elichilia Shao states above we shouldn’t be silent but start making a good story about our impact now.

communities and homes. As the quotation from a book ‘Dream, make it happen’ by Dr. Elichilia Shao states above we shouldn’t be silent but start making a good story about our impact now.

With fresh spirit and high motivation, we will write a story that will influence generations to come. Let us learn from our ancestors who are recalling past strategies that were used to fight pandemics successfully. They recall stories written by people to make a difference.

Some or most are in lockdown either by order of the state or voluntarily like me, I am writing this seated in my room and observing social distancing. When I can’t get out or don’t have resources to go out, I utilize well my internet devices, mobilize people via social media, engage in global, regional and local meetings, share relevant and vital information with family and friends, read publications and posts from people, learn and give my comments and keep the movement going. I participate in online campaigns such as the beat campaign on zero malaria, solidarity pledges as a global citizen. You can also learn and do the same. With just a small spark we can ignite a tremendous fire. GET STARTED!  

CO-OPERATION WITHIN LOCKDOWN

On 25th April 2020, on World Malaria Day, I was puzzled with the strong unity created among youth leaders for health and their mentors without any physical movement.

A great beat was hit and spread to thousands about malaria fight and youth leaders celebrated with joy. This experience reminded me that social media is truly meant for socialization ‘getting us together’.

Currently a lot of webinars and virtual meetings are free for people to participate in. I always search, register and participate according to my interests. I make new friends. I get enlightened and this interaction gives me a story to share now and post COVID-19.  Volunteering in my community has also opened up opportunities for me to learn and interact with others. Through socializing via online systems or social media like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn I have connected to other African youths and eventually being the administrator for African youth for public services group platform representing Tanzania. I also joined a virtual meeting with WHO Director General as a youth leader in civil society organizations.

 

EXCELLENCE IN DIFFICULT TIMES 

“When we are afraid and uncertain, the still small voice of an advocate becomes even more powerful” Dr. Sylvia Anie

There are great things I desire to achieve; I do not have to wait for this time to pass. It is in difficult moments that the strongest minds thrive, flourish and shine. As the quote above from one of my great and inspiring mentor Dr. Sylvia states, We as young advocates should never keep quite even in tough and desperate moments rather speak as our voices go further with more impacts in silent moments. Recalling the history of fighting for freedom in Africa and learning how young leaders at the moment emerged of whom we embrace to this moment gives me all reasons to never hide during tough moments rather getting out to serve others. Most of them were between 20s and 30s. You aren’t late to document your own story of now.

The future we want depends on the present we live. An excellent future will only rise from excellent and well prepared minds. READ! LEARN! DO!

Reading alone doesn’t matter if I learn nothing, learning will have no significance if not applied. I take my time to read new things and develop what I already know as access is even broader during this moment, learn from them and do or plan how to do whenever possible.

 

CALL TO ACTION

 

To stakeholders, young people are ready to do more tasks today and get prepared for tomorrow. If you are in position to support them, do not hesitate. Currently some organizations like Health promotion Tanzania-HDT and others are offering great support to young advocates. Give access to more platforms at every level, both local and global. Young people are the power. Use this power well to avoid stumbling and falling into the darkness.

 

To young people, a lot of opportunities are opened for us, let switch on the power within us and move to the grounds of reality. Let’s get together and co-operate for excellence.  “Go Youth Leaders Go” A great motive from our mentor.

 

Note:

Youth Leaders for Health is a joint program by WACI Health, RESULTS UK, Health Promotion Tanzania-HDT, Hope for Future Generation, and CISMAT- SL with support from Comic Relief. The platform facilitates and connects 25 Youth Leaders passionate about health and healthcare systems to advocate for policy change at key national, regional and global advocacy moments.

 

CategoriesBlog WACI Health News
byWACI Health Secretariat

The World Needs WHO, Now More Than Ever

15th April 2020.

President Donald Trump’s announcement that the U.S.—the largest funder of World Health Organization—has
decided to suspend funding to the body in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic is unjustifiable and dangerous.
Now is not the time to reduce WHO resources or any other global health organization in the fight against the virus.
This is the time for the global community to work together. Tackling COVID-19 requires strong international
leadership, guided by a sense of shared responsibility and solidarity. This virus knows no borders and is having a
devastating impact on communities and health systems around the world, causing numerous deaths and untold
disruption.

Now more than ever, the world needs the World Health Organisation.
To echo the words of Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, the World Health Organization is one of the best
investments. WHO is working round the clock to analyse data, provide advice, coordinate with partners, help
countries respond, increase supplies and manage expert networks. The critical work of WHO in stopping this
pandemic cannot be overemphasised. WHO is coordinating scientists, physicians, funders and manufacturers to
help speed up the availability of a vaccine against COVID-19.

WHO is not only fighting COVID-19 but also working to address HIV, TB, malaria, malnutrition, mental health,
polio, measles, Ebola, cancer, diabetes, and many other diseases and conditions.
All attacks on WHO and its Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are dangerous and will cost
lives.

Now is time for unity. Now is time to save lives.

Rosemary Mburu Ndileka Mandela
Executive Director Founder and CEO
WACI Health Thembekile Mandela Foundation

For and on behalf of:

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