How Africa is Fighting the Pandemic? The Global Health Security Index in 2019 ranked different countries considering their readiness to fight the pandemics. As per their rank report, the US was recognized as the most prepared country, wherein, on the other side, most African countries were marked as less competent to combat this novel health threat. Further, taking this aspect of Africa’s lack of preparation to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, many assumed it could have death cases over 9 million because of COVID-19. From the past few months, Africa has shown unpredictable response to the pandemic. However, many are still unable to know the real strategy behind such immediate response of African regions to the pandemic. Crucial steps taken by African regions to protect their people from the spreading of the deadly COVID-19 virus are as follows – Continental collaboration Over the past 10 months, we have observed that borders could not stop the spread of this disaster, then it might be in the Health sector or any Economic sectors. A native source Jayesh Saini, Nairobi, stated in a report that, as the economic disaster spared no country, the global economy has decreased by 5.1% by this financial year. Responding concertedly to this global pandemic crisis, African countries had agreed to collaborate at continental levels. According to the reports from Jayesh Saini News, Africa CDC, on February 22, assembled an emergency meeting with 55 Health Ministers across the continent to discuss the COVID19 pandemic situation and further, accepted the strategy made in that meeting. This strategy included taking preventive measures over the transmission of the virus and reducing community spread to stop the present scenario that already stressed the entire Healthcare systems all across the continent. Such continental leadership has influenced member states and showed a collective response to the pandemic. Regional collaboration Such Continental approach influenced the African authority to collaborate with the regional as well. One such example is of associating within the East African Community (EAC). Its prime focus was to prevent the spread of the virus across African countries. The EAC focused on setting up a Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System to track COVID-19 cases across the border. Jayesh Saini in Nairobi says that many landlocked countries in the region across the border helped with the transport facility by delivering the necessary goods, such as medicine by truck travels. Therefore, to prevent a cross-border epidemic, the EAC formed Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System helped these countries to share the COVID-
19 test results of the truck drivers digitally. It led those infected to get noticed and further get them quarantined and treated. The truck drivers are traced by their mobile phones using tracking tools, which show up the location of the drivers and inform their authorities about their stops. Such an initiative is taken to protect the spread of infection across the communities. It made sharing of COVID test information and reports with ease. Eventually, this boosted the use of the limited COVID test resources. Talking over the measures taken to minimize the infection rate, a native, Jayesh Saini from Kenya reported through a source that, such earlier detection of infection would be helpful to bring those infected to treatment at the initial stage of their epidemic. Certainly, it will lead to an increase in the recovery rate. Imposition of quick lockdown measures Many countries failed to carry out lockdown measures at the earliest, even after the knowing the existing situation around. But, in many African countries they considered this matter intensely and imposed quick lockdown to secure their people. According to information from Jayesh Saini Clinix, after getting the first few cases of COVID infections, the government authority of Kenya imposed quick Lockdowns and closed their border. With immediate effect, other African countries also closed their borders, canceled their flights, and enforced strict lockdown measures to stop the inflow of COVID cases. Jayesh Saini from Nairobi further discloses that South Africa imposed one of the most stringent lockdowns, which helped to decrease the rate of infections across the country. Quick action on public health measures Most of the African countries quickly imposed a lockdown to prevent the spreading of infection. Plus, considering the health measures, people were addressed to wash hands, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing in public places. In Kenya, the government passed on preventive guidelines through social media channels and other popular media sources, like radio. The Kenyan government asked community healthcare workers to increase public consciousness concerning the virus and its preventive measures. Jayesh Saini being a native of Kenya for a long time, and throughout his years of living in Kenya, he says he had not experienced such an improvement in the health care system. Now, we see, in public places, there are hand wash stations, and people are getting used to wearing masks every day. Such an open communication channel and other community involvement further built up trust in the public health system. So these were the measures and plan of action that Africa took to fight this tragic pandemic situation.
