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With Shrinking Health Force, Africa Struggles Amid COVID Crisis

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - Thousands of health care workers across Africa have
   contracted coronavirus, a fact that worries international health
   officials who say the continent's health infrastructure is strained
   enough without the added threat. In South Africa more than 3,500 health
   care workers have fallen ill, and at least 34 have died.

   Nearly 770,000 people have been known to have contracted COVID-19 in
   the African region. And, says Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health
   Organization's regional director for Africa, buried in those numbers is
   a key group that is on the front lines of the battle.

   "In the African region, more than 10,000 health workers have been
   infected with COVID-19," said Moeti. "One of the biggest challenges in
   protecting health workers has been the global shortage of personal
   protective equipment, which has severely affected countries on the
   continent."

   Moeti says more than 2 million items of PPE, including masks, goggles
   and gloves, have been shipped to African countries so far, with many
   more in the pipeline.

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