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COVID-19: Lessons from Polio Eradication

Charles Besidonne

August 19, 2021 |

The Republic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nigeria

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative coordinated a coalition of national governments and nonprofits to eradicate polio and may provide lessons for administering COVID-19 vaccines. GPEI helped with funding and the procurement and supply of vaccines. A network of local partners carried out vaccination initiatives and designed micro-planning strategies to reach high-risk relevant populations. Nigeria built cold chain storage, transport, and distribution systems to handle the polio vaccine, as well as a vaccine accountability management system that monitors and tracks vials throughout vaccine administration.

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How a gene machine boosts fight against TB in Kenya

George Juma

August 01, 2021 |

Sayansi Magazine |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

The GeneXpert machine is being used to diagnose tuberculosis earlier, and can identify strains that are receptive to common medications as opposed to drug-resistant strains. The machine tests samples by extracting and amplifying genes. Based on the bacterium load in a sample, it reports whether there are low or high amounts of TB detected and has the capacity to test four gene samples at the same time with a 90-minute period. Because of early and accurate detection, drug-resistant cases have reduced nationwide, saving people the trauma of prolonged and expensive treatments for drug-resistant strains.

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A Classroom Clinic: Bringing Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment to Schools in Malawi

Rabson Kondowe

May 17, 2021 |

Nigeria Health Watch |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Malawi

The Learner Treatment Kits Initiative trained primary school teachers in 58 schools to use rapid diagnostic tests to identify and treat children with uncomplicated malaria infections. In addition to the tests, the kits have antimalarial medicines and medications to treat minor medical issues like headaches or small cuts. When a child tests positive for malaria they are given antimalaria medicine for three days. Caregivers are advised to take children with more severe cases to district health facilities. From 2019-2020 teachers administered 7,900 tests, with 6,101 cases being positive.

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Australia made a plan to protect Indigenous elders from covid-19. It worked.

Rachel Pannett

April 09, 2021 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia

Indigenous Australians have fared far better than tribal regions in other parts of the world during the coronavirus pandemic due to a collaborative and proactive health campaign between health experts and aboriginal leaders. According to an Australian epidemiologist specializing in public health, “This is a most amazing response to the pandemic from a community that is so marginalized. This is probably the best evidence we have that if you put Aboriginal people in charge, then you get better outcomes.”

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Can Social Scientists Help Control Epidemics?

Elizabeth Svoboda

April 07, 2021 |

Sapiens |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Sierra Leone

When the rise of Ebola in West Africa strict protocols when handling those who were dying or had died from the disease, public health officials began working with anthropologists and other social scientists to increase trust and influence people’s willingness to seek treatment. At the center of the success was the social scientist's recommendations for burial services which addressed concerns about first responders disrespecting the dead. Today, these social scientists are providing similar consult for the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Gambia's United Effort to Tackle COVID-19

Mustapha K. Darboe

March 30, 2021 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Gambia

In an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus variants throughout the country, Gambia has launched a genome sequence initiative that to monitor active strains. For a country that has received very few doses of the vaccine, this effort is important for identifying potential outbreaks before they become unmanageable.

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Community Health Program Changing Health Narrative in Rural Areas

Sharon Atieno

March 16, 2021 |

Science Africa |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Siaya County

In Kenya's Siaya County, community-selected individuals known as nyamrerwa are trained "to address healthcare issues of individuals and communities in their respective localities." The initiative is part of a larger strategy that is helping to localize care and empower community members to "take control and responsibility of their own health achievement efforts."

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A Booster Shot For Detecting COVID-19 Mutations

Thomas K. Grose

February 24, 2021 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

When the SARS-CoV-2 variant emerged in the United Kingdom, scientists in Britain were able to quickly identify it and warn other countries thanks to the use of genome sequencing. Now other countries, such as Denmark, are investing in genome sequencing to get ahead of the next potential outbreak.

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Smallpox used to kill millions of people every year. Here's how humans beat it.

Kelsey Piper

February 05, 2021 |

Vox |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The eradication of smallpox offers lessons and insight for health officials and governments focused on containing the novel coronavirus and avoiding future pandemics. Although COVID-19 presents unique challenges – such as asymptomatic transmission – lessons from the smallpox era show that "a well-funded, well-supported public health system" was a key to success.

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Testris - The positive rate game: Rwanda

Lola García-Ajofrín

February 02, 2021 |

Outriders |

Game |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Rwanda

Before the first case of Covid-19 was reported within country borders, Rwanda had already started preparations – including a testing strategy and contact tracing – to prevent the spread of the virus. Although resources were limited, they were able to use a pool testing strategy instead of individual testing, which allowed them to save both time and resources.

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