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https://www.academiascholarlyjournal.org/ijhse/index_ijhse.htm

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Challenges Affecting African Countries in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Interventional Strategies in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

  AUTHORS: Steward Mudenda, Kennedy Mwila, Christabel Nang’andu Hikaambo, Victor Daka, Godfrey Mayoka, Maisa Kasanga, Michelo Banda, Moses Mukosha, Ruth Lindizyani Mfune, Martin Kampamba, Lungwani Tyson Muungo, Ronald Kampamba Mutati, Webrod Mufwambi, Misheck Chileshe

  KEYWORDS: Africa, African Countries, Challenges, COVID-19, COVID-19 Vaccines, Pandemic, Telehealth, Vaccination

  JOURNAL NAME: Advances in Infectious Diseases, Vol.12 No.3, September 8, 2022

  ABSTRACT: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many global challenges, especially in resource-constrained countries. Africa, a continent with a large number of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), shares this burden disproportionately compared to developed countries. Here we review some of the major challenges African countries face in the fight against COVID-19 and propose some mitigation measures. Studies have reported low adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures in most African countries. Additionally, there has been a shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate surveillance and diagnostic tools, unavailability of drugs in healthcare facilities, increased wrong beliefs, myths, misinformation and misconceptions about COVID-19 and vaccinations, and an already existing burden of infectious and non-infectious diseases across the African continent. Despite being very challenging to implement across African countries, telehealth is a critical solution to offer healthcare services during disease outbreaks. Many African countries have faced challenges in the fight against COVID-19. The training of healthcare workers (HCWs) must be strengthened to help address the shortage. In addition, African countries should strive to invest in research and capacity-building to be self-reliant regarding diagnostic tests. Thus, there is an urgent need to address the challenges faced by African countries in this fight, which may even include increased collaborations with other countries.