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Spotlight on East Africa’s battle against infectious diseases

Article-Spotlight on East Africa’s battle against infectious diseases

Amid wins and ongoing healthcare challenges, the region needs to reevaluate its actions and solutions for a sustainable future.

Healthcare in East Africa has seen notable progress in recent years, demonstrating resilience in the face of COVID-19 alongside advanced care with limited resources.

Rwanda and Uganda, for example, handled crisis with amazing agility and efficiency. Rwanda received international recognition for its strategy that involved extensive testing, contact tracing, and stringent lockdown protocols. The country’s use of drones for public health messaging and delivering medical supplies showcased how technology can be leveraged to overcome logistical challenges.

Building on its past experiences with pandemics such as Ebola, Uganda also demonstrated a respectable reaction. Enforcing public health regulations strictly, mobilising community health workers, and quickly establishing quarantine centres were all key factors in restricting spread of the virus within the nation. The vaccination drive, although initially slow due to global vaccine inequities, has since gained momentum, significantly reducing COVID-19 incidence and mortality.

The ongoing battle against malaria is still another significant success story. While being one of the most affected areas in the world, East Africa has made positive strides recently. For example, Kenya started a ground-breaking vaccination pilot program for malaria in 2019 and it has continued into the 2020s. The first-ever malaria vaccine to be authorised — the RTS, S/AS01 — demonstrated encouraging results in lowering incidences of the disease in children, who are particularly susceptible to it. The World Health Organization-backed initiative has been a ray of light in the global battle against malaria, and it may open the door for wider vaccination use in the area.

East Africa has also achieved great progress in HIV/AIDS. One of the main factors influencing the decline in new HIV infections in Kenya and Uganda has been the implementation and expansion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim to guarantee that 95 per cent of individuals living with HIV are aware of their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive ongoing antiretroviral therapy, and 95 per cent of those undergoing treatment achieve viral suppression, have also been accepted by these nations. Despite having obstacles to overcome, especially in reaching underserved communities, the progress is evident.

Notwithstanding these achievements, East Africa continues to confront obstacles in its battle against infectious illnesses. The pandemic brought to light the weakness of healthcare systems in the region. The epidemic revealed serious inadequacies especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is still restricted. Resources that were diverted to combat COVID-19 also caused delays in the treatment of other infectious diseases and regular immunisation programmes, endangering some of the hard-earned progress.

An increasing concern is the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Resistance to first-line medicines for malaria, such as artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs), is a developing concern. In a similar vein, drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) still presents a serious threat to public health.

These developments highlight the necessity of continued improved diagnostics and the development of fresh therapeutic approaches.

Infectious diseases are still very much a problem in East Africa due in large part to socioeconomic causes. A lack of good sanitation, clean water, and poverty all contribute to the development of disease-causing conditions. Political unrest and violence frequently make these problems worse by upsetting public health initiatives, displacing populations, and making disease control much more difficult.

In addition, the region has difficulties guaranteeing fair access to medical treatment. The infrastructure for healthcare has improved in metropolitan regions, while rural and isolated places lag behind. In the case of infectious diseases, where prompt access to diagnosis and treatment is essential, this gap is especially worrisome.

As we acknowledge these achievements and lessons learned, it is clear that a sustained, collaborative, and innovative approach is essential to overcome the remaining obstacles and ensure a healthier, more resilient future for the region's populations and economies.

Ultimately, the fight against infectious diseases in East Africa is not just a public health issue, it is a matter of social justice and equity.

By addressing the root causes of disease and ensuring that everyone has access to the care and treatment they need, East Africa can continue to make progress towards a healthier, more prosperous future for all.

Don’t miss out on Medic East Africa 2024, the region's leading congress featuring state-of-the-art innovation and expert-led sessions.

REGISTER TODAY to learn more and network with international and East African healthcare and medical laboratory communities.

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