The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said over 20,000 health workers have tested positive for coronavirus across Africa.
The organisation revealed in a statement issued on Thursday by the organisation.
WHO said the preliminary data shows that health workers “make up more than 5% of cases in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa alone, and in four of these, health workers make up more than 10% of all infections”.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) today warned of the threat posed by COVID-19 to health workers across Africa. More than 10 000 health workers in the 40 countries which have reported on such infections have been infected with COVID-19 so far, a sign of the challenges medical staff on the frontlines of the outbreak face.),” the statement read.
“This comes as COVID-19 cases in Africa appear to be gathering pace. There are now more than 750,000 cases of COVID-19, with over 15,000 deaths. Some countries are approaching a critical number of infections that can place stress on health systems. South Africa is now among the worst-hit countries in the world.”
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, who spoke on the rate of infection among medical personnel said the spread among health workers is taking a toll on the health systems of the affected countries.
“The growth we are seeing in COVID-19 cases in Africa is placing an ever-greater strain on health services across the continent,” Moeti said.
“This has very real consequences for the individuals who work in them, and there is no more sobering example of this than the rising number of health worker infections.
“One infection among health workers is one too many. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals are our mothers, brothers and sisters. They are helping to save lives endangered by COVID-19. We must make sure that they have the equipment, skills and information they need to keep themselves, their patients and colleagues safe.”
WHO noted that limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and “weak infection prevention and control measures”, are factors responsible for the increased risk among health workers.
- Breaking: Ohanaeze President General, George Obiozor, confirmed dead - December 28, 2022
- US to support NDLEA on improved intelligence gathering capacity - December 27, 2022
- Why diversified HIV/AIDS prevention tools matter for women - December 26, 2022