TOP STORIES IN SCIENCE AFRICA – Page 49

WHO Warns against Blood Plasma Transfusion to Treat COVID-19

By Naomi Kitur and Faith Atieno Convalescent plasma, a transfusion of blood plasma from someone who has recovered from COVID-19, is not recommended for patients with non-severe COVID-19, says World Health Organization (WHO). Despite its prior promise, current evidence shows that it does not improve survival nor reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, and it […]

09 Dec, 21

Omicron Variant: Countries Urged to Enhance Surveillance among Other Measures

By Saumu Juma The detection of the Omicron variant in South Africa has resulted in tension globally as its intensity compared to the Delta variant which was termed deadly remains unknown. In order to contain the spread of the variant, scientists are doing research and giving recommendations. According to Prof. Walter Jaoko, an expert in […]

COVID-19 Linked to Rise in Malaria Cases, Deaths

By Naomi Kitur New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted malaria services, leading to a marked increase in cases and deaths. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, there were an estimated 241 million malaria cases and 627 000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2020. This represents about 14 million more cases […]

06 Dec, 21

Mobile Application provide Extension Services to Sugarcane Farmers in Western Kenya

By Fredrick Odiero For a long time farmers within the Lake Region Economic bloc (LREB) have had to depend on other sources such as cartels or third parties to get information to their disadvantage. The situation has even been made worse due to the limited number of agricultural extension officers across the country following a […]

African Scientists Intensify Research on Marine Life Supporting Blue Economy

By Peter Musa Scientists from Africa have joined hands with those from the rest of the world to intensify research on threats facing oceans and inland waters, whose co-existence supports the Blue economy. As nations exercise their liberties in mining fortunes within blue economy, marine scientists and conservationists warn that the remaining ocean and marine […]

04 Dec, 21

Botswana Making Strides in Elimination of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

By Sharon Atieno Globally, 15 countries have been certified for eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission. None of them had an epidemic as large as Botswana. The country has the world’s fourth highest HIV prevalence (20.3%) but has made significant strides in fighting the virus. So much so, that the World Health Organization (WHO) awarded Botswana the […]

04 Dec, 21

Kenya:Rescue Centre Gives Hope to GBV Victims in Bungoma

By Treezer Michelle The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2021, is “Orange the world: End violence against women now! The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign that is used as an organizing […]

COVID-19: Africa Intensifies Omicron Variant Detection, Prevention as Cases Rise

By Mary Hearty African countries are stepping up measures to detect and control the spread of the Omicron variant as weekly new COVID-19 cases in the continent rise by 54% due to an upsurge in southern Africa. The Omicron variant has now been detected in four countries, with Ghana and Nigeria becoming the first West […]

03 Dec, 21

Kenya: Bungoma Increases Hospital Births through Payment of Traditional Birth Attendants

By Peter Oliver Ochieng In a bid to encourage women in Bungoma County to give birth in hospitals, birth companions, previously known as (Traditional Birth Attendants – TBAs), will be paid for every pregnant woman they ensure delivers in a health facility as opposed to delivering in homes, which contributes to high mortality rates due […]

15.2 Million More Vaccines for Africa

By Mary Hearty The Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation have announced the delivery of 15.2 million vaccines purchased under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative to help scale up COVID-19 vaccination efforts across Africa. Through Saving Lives and Livelihoods, the Mastercard Foundation is committed to purchase vaccines for […]