Health
Monkeypox on the Rise in Africa, United States and Europe—WHO
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
With rising cases of Monkeypox, not only in Africa but also in the United States and Europe, the world is now experiencing shivering fears for the next tremendous negative impact similar to Covid-19. It all began the same way, as the first case of Covid-19, and rapidly spread throughout the world. Soon to forget the worldwide border closures, self-isolation and other restrictions.
After documenting more than 7,000 cases in early July, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said about the plans on reconvening a meeting of his organization’s Emergency Committee to critically assess the current state of the monkeypox outbreak in Western countries.
Ghebreyesus’s statement implies directing a special focus, considering the current spread and scale of the monkeypox virus outbreak, in Western countries. According to WHO estimation and description or better still categorization, the western countries are “nonendemic” countries.
In his office, Ghebreyesus calculated that more than 7,000 cases have been confirmed in 60 countries so far, with Europe currently the epicentre of the outbreak. Cases began emerging in Europe and the United States in May. Many of the individuals who contracted the virus had travelled internationally. Monkeypox is endemic in some central and western African countries, but Tedros noted that the pathogen was now also being detected in nonendemic African countries.
“My teams are following the data closely. I plan to reconvene the Emergency Committee July 18 or sooner so they are updated on the current epidemiology and evolution of the outbreak, and implementation of counter measures,” he said, Reuters reported.
In June, the WHO’s Emergency Committee said the monkeypox outbreak did not warrant declaring a global health emergency despite the rapid rise in cases. At the time, the health organization said the situation was “unusual” but did not constitute a global health emergency, despite opposing views expressed by some members of the committee.
Health experts, however, referring to official statements that many out of thoughtlessness, have a wide variety of interests to defend and routinely calculate figures, without dealing with the root cause and place of origin. Until today the root cause and place of origin of Covid-19 still remains a mystery.
The recent outbreak has raised cries of double standards from global health activists, who argue that monkeypox has been an ongoing health issue in some African countries for years but is only now garnering sincere attention as it affects Western nations. More than 70 deaths due to monkeypox have been reported in Africa so far this year, while no deaths directly linked to the virus have been confirmed in nonendemic countries.
The WHO has previously acknowledged that monkeypox has been neglected for several years now. Reports, carefully monitored by this author, indicate that the disease is endemic in parts of Africa, where people have become infected through bites from rodents or small animals. The monkeypox virus does not usually spread easily among people. Most monkeypox patients experience fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. People with more serious illnesses may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.
WHO said it counted 6,027 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox from 59 countries as of the first week of July, an increase of 2,614 cases since its last count that ended June 27. It said three people have now died in connection with the outbreak, all of them in Africa. Most of the cases were reported in Europe and Africa. New cases have also been reported in Ghana and Benin in addition to previously mentioned Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.
Therefore, WHO should not depend on the continuity of mysterious outbreaks, but go to the roots and take the needed actions. It has, appreciable for now, confined its health recommendations to a standard set of hygienic requirements and did not insist on travel and trade restrictions. Beyond that, it has to establish a task force for keeping high surveillance across the Central and West African region and monitor travellers from these regions.
The Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) have jointly held their first training on Real-Time PCR-based Monkeypox virus (MPXV) testing for 20 African Union Member States in Abuja, Nigeria. It was the first in the series of hands-on training on real-time PCR-based monkeypox virus (MPXV) diagnosis launched and organized in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in June.
With Covid-19, China has been alleged or suspected as the country of origin. With Monkeypox Nigeria, the most populated West African nation, has come under the spotlight, allegedly as the place of origin of the monkeypox virus, and was detected in several European countries during the past three months. Besides, Central and West African regions, it’s been detected in external countries namely Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A transformative webinar to raise awareness on postpartum depression (PPD) by nursing mothers has been organised by MSc Media and Communication students from the School of Media and Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University.
The programme titled Beyond Baby Blues: Understanding and Overcoming Postpartum Depression was held on January 7, 2025.
It was put together by the students under the Mums Feel Warmth initiative, with experts in the field invited to speak on the matter aimed at empowering mothers and fostering a sense of reassurance.
The webinar was to highlight the journey through postpartum depression, offering a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of mental health support for mothers everywhere.
One of the speakers, Dr Laja Odunuga, who is the Care Coordinator for AVON HMO, explained the difference between the common “baby blues” and the more severe, long-lasting PPD.
The discussion highlighted how PPD can manifest not just as sadness but through severe fatigue, disconnection from the newborn, and loss of interest in activities, which can last well beyond the typical two-week period associated with baby blues.
Another expert, Ms Otomfon Ibanga, the Assistant Lead Nurse for Q-Life Family Clinic, emphasised the role of support systems, urging families and friends to be vigilant for signs of PPD and to provide a nurturing environment.
She also discussed prevention strategies, including prenatal planning for support structures and post-delivery management through therapy or medication.
On his part, Dr Chimaraoke Obialo, who is the Medical Director of Life Amada Health Consultancy, addressed the stigma surrounding PPD, advocating for education to transform societal perceptions from judgement to support.
The webinar underscored the need for community involvement, not just in recognising symptoms but in actively participating in the healing process by offering emotional and practical support.
The Mums Feel Warmth webinar was more than just an educational session; it was a call to action for society to embrace and support new mothers dealing with PPD.
By fostering open conversations and providing platforms for sharing experiences, Mums Feel Warmth continues to lead the charge against the stigma of PPD.
The commitment shown by the panellists and attendees alike promises a future where every mother has access to the understanding and care needed to navigate through the complexities of postpartum depression, ensuring that the joy of motherhood is not overshadowed by mental health challenges.
Mums Feel Warmth, with its core values of empathy, compassion, hope, community, and education, speaks to the Sustainable Development Goal 3, advocating for good health and well-being.
The initiative is breaking the silence around PPD, a condition that can significantly impact new mothers in the critical period following childbirth.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says the country is at “moderate” risk for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a virus that leads to an upper respiratory tract infection with symptoms like cough, fever, and nasal congestion.
In a public health advisory, the Nigerian health agency said the federal government is closely monitoring the outbreak of the virus and is taking safety measures to “strengthen the country’s preparedness and response capacity”.
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in HMPV cases in China, as well as increased respiratory infections linked to HMPV in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), France, and Germany, particularly during the winter season.
The NCDC said it conducted a risk assessment for the HMPV in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC), and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
“The assessment classified the risk of HMPV for Nigeria as moderate. This evaluation will inform and guide preparedness efforts, decision-making, and response strategies to mitigate potential impacts,” the advisory said.
It said the NCDC is working to give Nigerians “timely, accurate information and guidance to keep the Nigerian public informed and prepared”.
NCDC noted that it “in collaboration with Port Health Authorities, is taking proactive steps to ensure robust preparedness at all international points of entry (PoEs) in response to the dynamic risk assessment for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV).
“These measures are designed to mitigate the potential risk of HMPV transmission through international travel.”
HMPV was first identified in the Netherlands in 2001 and the virus spreads through direct contact between people or when someone touches surfaces contaminated with it.
Children under two are most vulnerable to the virus alongside those with weakened immune systems such as the elderly and those with advanced cancer, according to medical experts.
There have also been worries that this could be like COVID-19, but experts have eased the fear as they are not similar because pandemics are typically caused by novel pathogens, which is not the case for HMPV.
Health
Digitising Healthcare With Local Realities in Mind: Shaping The Future of Healthcare in Africa
eHealth Africa (eHA) has urged governments and stakeholders to explore the critical factors beyond technology that are essential for the deployment of digital health solutions for the long-term success of public health systems across Africa. Data-backed interventions will help streamline operations and enable the formulation of interventions that appreciate the cultural norms when addressing the immediate needs of different communities within the region.
Speaking during a panel session at the Global Digital Health Forum 2024 in Nairobi, eHealth Africa’s Executive Director Atef Fawaz emphasised the importance of integrating technology with local cultures and addressing community-specific needs. “Understanding the unique healthcare challenges in each country allows us to deploy tech solutions that truly make an impact.”For instance, eHealth Africa successfully delivered over 5.8 million vaccines (5,801,209) to 351 primary healthcare facilities across states in Nigeria which was made possible through the deployment of the innovative Logistics Management Information System (LoMIS) application.
“The system significantly improved the availability of vaccines for Routine Immunisation (RI), ensuring timely and efficient distribution while eliminating stockouts at primary healthcare facilities. This intervention highlights our commitment to strengthening immunisation programs and enhancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level,” he said.
In his contribution, Abdulhamid Yahaya, the Deputy Director of Global Health Informatics highlighted the need to understand the local cultural, social, and regulatory landscape to build solutions that are designed with local realities in mind.
eHealth Africa Board Member Micheline Ntiru said using technology provided stakeholders among them global health leaders, tech innovators, and development experts as well as local communities a platform to create the right solutions that work within the constraints of each community, and with the support of local leadership.
For instance, local health workers have been using mobile-based reminder systems to improve compliance and overall health outcomes while some local immunisation centres have been sending SMS reminders to parents as well as to provide educational messages about the diseases they protect against. Mobile phones, now available in nearly 80 per cent of African homes, can also be used during emergencies to dispatch mass announcements about satellite clinic locations and schedules.
According to the World Health Organisation, increased use of the Internet, email, social networking sites and availability of mobile phones facilitates the deployment of eHealth solutions, applications and services towards the improvement of national health systems. The use of technological eHealth solutions could also be used to encourage positive lifestyle changes to prevent and control common diseases.
The panel moderated by Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs comprised of Ms Ntiru (Delta40 ventures), Mr Yahaya (eHealth Africa), Chief Impact Officer at Tiko – Serah Malaba, Dr Olamide Okulaja (Maisha Meds), Audere Chief Executive Officer Dr Dino Rech, and Rachel Alladian from Jacaranda. They discussed how strategic partnerships, regulatory compliance, and a deep understanding of local contexts are crucial for driving digital health innovations that can succeed in diverse regions.
The GDHF forum was attended by health scholars, researchers, and representatives from the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Somalia and Sri Lanka as well as representatives from the World Bank, medicine manufacturers, technology vendors, UN agencies among others.
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