NAIROBI, April 9 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday sounded alarm over the rapid spread of COVID-19 to rural parts of Africa hence threatening to put a strain on an already fragile health care infrastructure.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said the spread of the viral disease from capital cities to rural areas in the continent should be addressed as a matter of urgency to prevent a public health crisis.
"Tackling cases in rural areas that often lack the resources of urban centers will pose an immense challenge for the already strained health systems in Africa," Moeti said in a statement.
"There is a critical shortage of treatment facilities for critical cases of COVID-19 in Africa," she added.
The African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in its latest update said the continent had more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases and over 500 deaths arising from the disease.
"As COVID-19 cases move out of urban areas, there is a need to decentralize the response and increase coordination with regional administrations as well as reinforce sub-national health emergency response systems," WHO said.
"Provincial and regional governments and administrations need to be able to coordinate, trace contacts, contain cases, and treat patients locally," it added.
The global health agency said that African countries were still well-placed to win the battle against COVID-19 if they invested in additional intensive care unit beds and personal protective equipment for health workers and civilians.
It commended Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria for establishing multiple laboratories to expand testing, adding that Tanzania and Ethiopia have also taken proactive measures to boost diagnosis of the viral respiratory disease.
Lifeline thrown to city's bookstores
'Control number of mainland births in HK'
Computer gaming 'harming' children's eyesight
Self-immolation acts condemned by deputies
Putin set for poll triumph
Syrian FM urges foreign journalists to respect rules
Concerns over radiation remain
Human rights added to draft law
Romney ekes out win in Ohio
Shanghai court postpones iPad decision
Anti-austerity protests fall flat in much of Europe
Gillard 'confident' she will stay as PM
Aussie FM resigns in leadership spat
Law to ensure human rights
US, Philippines to hold joint military exercises
More US kids living in high-poverty areas
Nixon's visit 'changed so many things'
ROK, US launch annual drills despite warning
More Chinese get into swing of golf
Charities open to religious groups
Expats fuel demand for domestic helpers
Australian PM knocks out rival, but not discontent
Two girls commit suicide in pursuit of time travel fantasy
Yemen's Saleh to seek exile in Ethiopia
Investment access set to widen
Bin Laden's compound demolished
Guangdong govt vows to improve organization at grassroots level
Despite ban, smoking is rampant in Internet bars
Iran denies nuke activity at military site
At least 7 killed in Afghan Quran burning protests
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |