insert_link Africa Snakebites can destroy skin, muscle, and even bone – exciting progress on drugs to treat them By Steven R. Hall, Lancaster University and Nicholas Casewell, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine The World Health Organization estimates that 1.8 million to 2.7 million people are envenomed by snakes annually, resulting in upwards of 138,000 deaths. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, snakebite annually kills between 20,000 and 32,000 people, though a 2022 paper suggests this is likely a gross underestimate. Africa is home to […] todayMay 21, 2024 14
insert_link Africa Mapping malaria in Africa: climate change study predicts where mosquitoes will breed in future Water bodies such as the Nile River, pictured here running through Juba in South Sudan, are included in the new model. Frontpage By Mark Smith, University of Leeds and Chris Thomas, University of Lincoln The relationship between climate and malaria transmission is complex and has been the subject of intense study for some three decades. Mosquito vector populations sufficient to maintain malaria transmission occur within a […] todayMay 20, 2024 21
insert_link Africa US-Africa trade deal turns 25 next year: Agoa’s winners, losers and what should come next By Bedassa Tadesse, University of Minnesota Duluth The African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a landmark piece of trade legislation enacted by the United States in 2000. Its goal is to promote economic growth, development and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa by providing qualifying countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 6,500 products. By eliminating import tariffs and quotas, Agoa aims to […] todayMay 7, 2024 28
insert_link Environment Electricity from farm waste: how biogas could help Malawians with no power By Ehiaze Ehimen, Atlantic Technological University and Thomas Robin, Atlantic Technological University In sub-Saharan Africa, over 600 million people (more than 50% of the population) are without access to electricity. Malawi has one of the world’s lowest electricity access rates – just 14.1% of the total population have access to the main grid. In rural areas, the electrification access rate is even lower, estimated at 5.6% […] todayMay 2, 2024 44
insert_link Health / Medical Namibia celebrates World Malaria Day World Malaria Day is being celebrated today under the theme, “Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world”. Despite significant progress in reducing the global burden of malaria between 2000 and 2015, progress has slowed in recent years, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. We contacted Dr Richard Kamwi, the Africa CDC Champion and Ambassador of the Elimination 8 Initiative to find out how Namibia is faring. todayApril 25, 2024 74
insert_link Local Navigating risk in Sub-Saharan Africa: challenges and opportunities By Horst Simon, Business Risk Officer, Capricorn Group Sub-Saharan Africa, home to diverse cultures, abundant resources, and dynamic economies, is a region of immense potential. However, amidst its promise lies a landscape fraught with risks that demand attention and initiative-taking strategies. From political instability and security threats to environmental vulnerabilities and health crises, Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with multifaceted challenges that require concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and […] todayApril 15, 2024 11
insert_link Lifestyle Nine out of 10 kids are not developmentally on track in literacy and numeracy – study of 8 African countries Play and storytelling are a crucial part of children’s cognitive development. PixelCatchers Pearl S. Kyei, University of Ghana Children develop an enormous amount during their early years – socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively. What happens between the ages of 0 and 8 years can predict important long-term outcomes: for example, how a child will fare at school; what their health will be like and their future earning potential. Children in […] todayApril 10, 2024 29
insert_link Africa Hospital infection cost Africa nearly $ 8.4 billion Treating infections acquired in hospitals and clinics is costing sub-Saharan Africa as much as $8.4 billion a year and hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths. According to research by WaterAid and the World Bank, at least half of these could be averted by improved handwashing facilities, clean water, and decent toilets. Bloomberg reports that the highest rates of contamination were found in intensive care units, neonatal wards, and pediatric departments. todayApril 9, 2024 20
insert_link Africa Diet and nutrition: how well Tanzanians eat depends largely on where they live By Hannah Ameye, University of Bonn Cities are growing faster in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere, with an annual urban population growth rate of around 4% compared to the world average of 1.5%. Across the continent the urban share of the total population is projected to increase to 50% by 2030 and 60% by 2050. Urbanisation is associated with lifestyle changes such as less physical activity and less […] todayApril 9, 2024 32