When the first case was confirmed on March 19, Haitians were already experiencing an upsurge in gang-associated activities, a spate of kidnappings, a falling currency, weeks of school closures, and a population deeply dissatisfied with the political leadership. In the context of these chronic ills, the rapidly escalating COVID-19 in Haiti represents an existential […]
Latest articles
Symbolism paradox – COVID 19 as the testing ground
With the SARS-CoV-2 managing to reach practically every nation on the globe, governments are facing the biggest challenge since World War II. Most nations have resorted to a range of promotive methods such as social distancing and handwashing drives to highly restrictive methods like complete lockdowns and curfews. Irrespective of the intervention, a group […]
Political and economic determinants of health: the case of COVID-19 outcomes in Iran under sanctions
The world is living through an unprecedented evolutionary time that will affect how multilateralism and international relations work. More than ever, the direct effect of foreign policy on the health of citizens is highlighted, but perhaps no more so than in the case of Iran. While the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected […]
COVID -19: Why are people dying alone?
Amongst the news and social media noise relating to COVID-19 there is a persistent, heart-breaking narrative, of patients who have died alone and families unable to say goodbye. This runs contrary to our cultural beliefs and values, yet in recent months it has become the norm. In this blog I (HC) write from my […]
Essais et erreurs dans la bataille contre COVID-19 à Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo
This blog is a part of # COVID19Africa Series. Click for English version. La première ligne des soins de santé primaires constitue le niveau de premier recours de soins, mais aussi de coordination et de synthèse des informations. Son rôle semble avoir volé en éclats devant le tâtonnement des réponses mal coordonnées et peu intégrées du […]
Trial and error in the battle against COVID-19 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo
This blog is a part of # COVID19Africa Series. Click for French version. The first line of health care is not only the primary level of care, it also ensures coordination of care and of patient information. However, in the DRC, its role seems to be in tatters due to the Congolese government’s ill-coordinated and ineffectively […]
Disruption as an opportunity: giving rise to a global ethos for planetary health
Life as we know it has, for millions of people around the globe, been put on-hold because of the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic. Positive consequences so far recorded include unpolluted skies, cleaner waterways and thriving wildlife.1 Meanwhile, some richer nations have begun to question their socio-economic priorities. This is an opportunity to think carefully how we […]
COVID-19: Opportunities for cities to advance planetary health
COVID-19 is a stark reminder of the deep interconnections between natural systems and human health. For decades, scientists have raised concerns about urban sprawl changing natural ecosystems and increasing contact between animal species and humans: the perfect scenario for a zoonosis. Add to the mix characteristics associated with cities, such as air pollution, high […]
COVID-19 en Guinée : mobilisation de la première ligne de soins au Sud et au Nord!
This blog is a part of # COVID19Africa Series. Click for English version. Malgré la rhétorique en vigueur et l’expérience acquise dans la gestion de l’épidémie de la maladie à virus Ebola, la mise en pratique dans le système de santé guinéen des (dures) leçons apprises laisse encore à désirer. Bien que toutes les structures […]
COVID-19 in Guinea: The first line of health care in South and North get ready for action!
This blog is a part of # COVID19Africa Series. Click for French version. Despite the rhetoric and the experience gained during the Ebola epidemic, the implementation of these (hard) lessons learned in the Guinean health system still leaves a lot to be desired. Although all Ebola treatment centres are still in place, the number of […]