Invisible illness: The consequences of limited health insurance in Africa.

Background: Limited health insurance coverage in Africa poses a significant challenge, impeding access to quality healthcare for millions of individuals. Methods: This paper synthesizes information from existing literature and research on the topic of limited health insurance coverage in Africa. The identified consequences and root causes are presented in a structured format. Results: The consequences of limited health insurance coverage in Africa include increased financial burden on households, decreased access to health services, and inadequate coverage for essential health services. These consequences contribute to reduced utilization of healthcare services and negative health outcomes, including the deterioration of existing health conditions and the development of new health problems. The financial burden is particularly significant due to high poverty rates in Africa, forcing households to pay for healthcare services out of pocket and leading to considerable financial strain and even financial ruin. Additionally, limited health insurance coverage restricts access to necessary health services, resulting in delayed treatment, missed diagnoses, and poor health outcomes. Conclusion: The root causes of limited health insurance coverage in Africa are multifaceted and include factors such as poverty, lack of government support, and limited private-sector involvement. These systemic issues contribute to the persistence of inadequate health insurance coverage and hinder efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for African populations.

Is the New Langya virus in China a threat to global health? A short communication.

The recently detected virus in eastern China in 2018 led to some health concerns, especially with the global trend of spreading viruses. As a new RNA-detected genus of the henipavirus family was found in Eastern China, the number of patients affected has reached 35 through zoonotic spread, with symptoms ranging from simple fever to fatal affection of vital organs such as the brain, liver, and kidneys. Researchers have found that shrew animals might be a potential reservoir for the Langya virus; however, data is still limited regarding human-to-human transmission. Current efforts by the Chinese Health Ministry and the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to deduct the spread of the virus and track its origin by trying to sequence the disease genome are evident. With all this in mind, the recommendation to face this new novel virus revolves around protecting the most vulnerable population at risk of being infected, such as farmers, and preventing the spread of the virus. Efforts must be directed toward screening animals for henipavirus and diving more deeply into the etiology of how this virus has spread to humans to help understand the spread of zoonotic viruses in the future.

Unlocking the hidden burden of epilepsy in Africa: Understanding the challenges and harnessing opportunities for improved care.

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects many people in Africa, yet the burden of the disease is often hidden. The management of epilepsy in Africa is often inadequate due to a lack of awareness and education, limited access to diagnostic tools and treatments, inadequate coordination of care, and the stigma associated with the condition. Method: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to gather information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of epilepsy in Africa. The review included studies from peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and gray literature. Results: The review revealed a high burden of epilepsy in Africa. The studies also showed a significant gap in the availability and accessibility of diagnostic tools, antiepileptic drugs, and specialized therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Additionally, the review found that cultural beliefs and practices, socioeconomic factors such as poverty and lack of access to healthcare, and the stigma associated with the condition, also pose significant challenges to managing epilepsy in Africa. Conclusion: The study highlights the urgent need for improved epilepsy management in Africa. Additionally, the study calls for further research on epilepsy in Africa and collaboration between all stakeholders to improve the management of epilepsy in Africa.

The outlook of rheumatological care in Africa: Current state, challenges, and recommendation.

There is a gross lack of access to rheumatological access in Africa. For example, the most populous country in the continent, Nigeria, has just 30 rheumatologists serving a population of about 200 million. In Ghana, there are just 2 rheumatologists serving a population of about 28 million people. Unfortunately, the prevalence of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases is on the rise in Africa. The main issues facing rheumatologic care in Africa are inadequate health professionals, inadequate research, and a weak health system. These factors have hindered the progress of rheumatologic care and treatment in the region. Prompt action must be taken in tackling these effects and to achieve better care for rheumatologic patients in Africa. This paper analyzes carefully the current state of rheumatologic care in Africa, identifying the needs for rheumatologic care, determinants of quality of rheumatologic care delivery, and the challenges currently facing rheumatology care in Africa. Also, this review gives some recommendations on ways by which the existing system of rheumatologic care in Africa can be improved.

Marburg virus outbreak in Ghana: An impending crisis.

Since the initial identification of the Marburg virus in 1967, it has sporadically emerged in several countries throughout Africa, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Due to the concurrent occurrence of other epidemics like the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), this outbreak could endanger the healthcare systems in these many African nations. Recently, two cases of the Marburg virus were detected in Ghana for the first time. However, there has been a noticeable lack of information concerning this recent outbreak of July 2022 in Ghana. Therefore, this article seeks to provide an overview of this outbreak in Ghana to better understand the most recent status and current efforts being made to mitigate the dissemination of the Marburg virus. We also suggest recommendations that may contribute to limiting the burden of this virus.

Accessing Mental Health Services in Africa: Current state, efforts, challenges and recommendation.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the surface the dwindling state of mental health services in Africa. While most countries have policies targeted at mental health problems, these policies are often weak and outdated to combat the present challenges. Africa faces various challenges in mental health delivery, ranging from inadequate staffing to sociocultural stigma and lack of effort from the government in terms of policies and funding. Many countries do not have the budgetary allocation for mental health. while those with budgetary allocation spend less than 5% of government health expenditure on mental health. Considering the continent's socioeconomic difficulties, it is almost a given that mental health illnesses will be on the rise. The continent's growing population, which is majorly youth, means that mental health services will be in high demand in the coming years. Therefore, the relevant stakeholders must look into the challenges and respond with a sense of urgency.

Is Alzheimer's disease an infectious neurological disease? A review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia around the globe. Its pathogenesis is characterized primarily by the extracellular deposition of amyloid ß peptides and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Despite the significant investments in neurological research, the exact molecular mechanism of AD pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated. Several studies converge on a hypothesis that pathogenic microbes might play a role in AD progression. Although this hypothesis has been considered relatively weak for decades, it has recently received considerable attention due to increasing evidence on the association between microorganisms and AD. There is a lack of experimental and scientific arguments conveying that these microorganisms engender cognitive and neuropathological deficits and modifications specific to AD, challenging the theory that it could be an infectious neurological disease. This review focuses on recent advances in the infection hypothesis and provides an overview of new findings portraying the significance of pathogenic microbes in AD and the challenges confronting the validity of the hypothesis. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected from medical journals published on PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Embase bibliographical databases with a predefined search strategy. All articles considering neurological disorders, especially AD associated with infectious diseases, were included. RESULTS: This work focused on providing an overview of new findings around the relationship between microorganisms and AD, challenges facing the validity of the theory, and recommendations on how the scientific community can best develop alternative approaches to address the pathophysiology of AD. CONCLUSION: While many studies reinforce the suspicion of an infectious etiology of AD, it is important to note that it is yet not validated how microorganisms' presence in the brain can develop AD due to the limited available evidence. Certainly, ground-breaking work is mandatory in this field of research, and these reports so far warrant a thorough investigation into how a chronic infection may remain silent while progressing its neuroinflammation. Amid this uncertainty arises the hope that many researchers will take on this challenge and join this endeavor to benefit AD patients worldwide.

The burden of monkeypox virus amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa: A double battle for Africa.

The Coronavirus Disease - 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has put additional strain on Africa's fragile healthcare systems and has impacted the rise of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Currently, there is a rise in cases of Monkeypox Disease, a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which was first documented in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most of the clinical symptoms of Monkeypox resemble that of smallpox, whose virus also belongs to the same genus. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, and fatigue, followed by lymphadenopathy and a rash. This study aims to provide more insight into Monkeypox by exposing its current burden and efforts to combat it amidst COVID-19 in Africa. Since Monkeypox disease is re-emerging and is less contagious than COVID-19, prevention and treatment are much more manageable. Still, African countries face several crucial challenges in responding to the Monkeypox in times of the covid-19 pandemic. These include lack of a well-functioning surveillance system for early detection of the disease, lack of awareness and knowledge of the monkeypox disease across the general population, lack of healthcare facilities already burdened by COVID-19 cases, and shortage of trained healthcare professionals. On the other hand, one significant factor contributing to the minimized risk in Africa was the smallpox vaccination done before 1980. However, a declining cross-protective immunity is seen in those inoculated with the smallpox vaccine and the ever-increasing risk to the unvaccinated population. Thus, focusing on vaccination and disease surveillance operations and diligent monitoring, as well as cross-border collaborations with international sectors, including One Health, FOA, OIE, and WHO is critical to achieving the ultimate eradication of monkeypox in Africa.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: Efforts, recommendations and challenges at hand.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions have suffered globally and as a result, attention and resources for other diseases, such as Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), has declined. Despite a significantly lower incidence rate compared to COVID-19, CCHF has a considerably higher mortality rate at approximately 30%. Both diseases share symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, sore throat, however they have different modes of transmission, mortality rates, and incubation periods. Public health professionals have faced several challenges when attempting to prevent and control the spread of both diseases and despite their differences, many of the prevention methods remain the same. These include increasing public awareness regarding avoiding contact with infected individuals and animals, training healthcare professionals in emergency and preparedness for disease outbreaks and increasing the investment in medical supplies and treatment to control the spread of both diseases.