The African continent faces a "triple pass" of the new crown epidemic

(Fighting against New Crown Pneumonia) The African continent faces a "triple pass" of the new crown epidemic

China News Agency, Beijing, April 5 (Bo Wenwen) As of 22:00, Beijing time, a total of 8018 people in 50 African countries were infected with the new coronavirus and 339 people died. When the epidemic hits, the African continent is facing three challenges from medical, economic and people's livelihood.

"Medical clearance": Weak infrastructure and shortage of medical supplies

From February 14th when Egypt reported the first confirmed case in Africa to mid-March, the African continent had a total of 105 confirmed cases and 1 death in the past month. However, cases have increased significantly since the middle and late March.

According to Wang Xiaochun, senior consultant of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, although imported cases were predominant in the early stages of the African epidemic, “but recently more and more countries have become community spread and there is a potential pandemic trend.” South Africa and Egypt, which are currently more severe , Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have all spread locally.

In the face of rising cases, factors such as weak infrastructure, shortage of medical supplies, and limited testing capabilities will restrict African countries' resistance to epidemics. According to a McKinsey study, there are only 0.25 doctors per 1,000 people in Africa, and the number of hospital beds is 1.4.

Wang Xiaochun pointed out that if the new coronavirus pandemic occurs in Africa, very weak basic medical facilities and medical services are great problems and challenges. "Although African countries have taken many anti-epidemic measures, they still feel that most countries are not ready for the epidemic, such as the preparation of medical supplies such as masks, protective clothing and ventilators."

"At the beginning of February, only two countries in Africa, South Africa and Senegal, were able to detect the new coronavirus, but currently 43 countries in Africa can carry out the test." Wang Xiaochun said, the African Center for Disease Control has been strengthening and supporting member countries to carry out the test , 25,000 test reagents have been distributed, and 63,000 will continue to be distributed in the future.

"Economic Off": The economic growth rate declines and the income loss is heavy

The New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic is not only a test in the field of public health, but also a difficult issue in the global economy, and Africa is naturally immune. The report of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on March 19 stated that Africa's economic growth this year may fall from the previously expected 3.2% to 1.8%.

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Willa Songgui previously stated that this year ’s fuel export revenue in Africa is expected to be reduced by about 101 billion US dollars, and the revenue loss of African oil exporters is expected to be as high as 65 billion US dollars; It is expected to be between US $ 14 billion and US $ 19 billion.

British media reported on March 30 that the plunge in oil prices not only exposed African oil-producing countries such as Nigeria, Angola and Algeria to loss of income during the response to the epidemic, but also caused them to lose their hard-won and difficult to regain market share.

Africa is also a major exporter of mineral and agricultural raw materials. From gold, bauxite, silver and titanium to cocoa, bananas, flowers and wood, Africa is a major player. But as the global epidemic intensified, all exporting countries were hit. In addition, tourism, as an important source of income for the African continent, has also suffered from the global epidemic and the suspension of flights.

ECA believes that Africa may need 10.6 billion US dollars in unexpected medical expenditures to deal with the epidemic this year, but the loss of income caused by the epidemic may lead to a debt crisis in some African countries.

"People's Livelihood": Poor people's livelihood is hindered

In April, Africa ’s multi-national defense epidemic measures were upgraded again: Togo, Mozambique and Equatorial Guinea have successively declared a national emergency; Rwanda extended the “closed city” measure; Burundi once again extended the “no-fly order” for international commercial flights. Strict restrictions have put some Africans who are not living well into trouble.

South Africa entered a 21-day "closed city" state on March 26, and some people were uneasy about the government's restrictions.

According to the British "Guardian", on the first day South Africa announced the blockade, 55 people were arrested in Johannesburg for violating the blockade order. The next day, hundreds of people gathered outside the supermarket, and the police and military dispersed the crowd in order to implement the blockade order.

Nigeria ’s capital, Abuja, and the largest city, Lagos, began restricting public travel on March 30 for two weeks. In Lagos, some young people complained to AFP that they did not have enough deposits to support them from working for two weeks.

In an online seminar on African outbreaks hosted by Diinsider recently, Wu Yue, a permanent researcher at the International Institute of Livestock Research in Ethiopia, said that after the school was closed, the feeding program also stopped, and the children could not get enough nutrition in the family.

The McKinsey study also pointed out that the suspension will have serious long-term effects on African young people. Especially for many female students, a few months of suspension may mean the end of their education. (Finish)