With the inequality in distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines or vaccine grab by rich countries, the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that seems to be degenerating into an endemic disease on the African continent. This article of the series on the myth of Africas leadership deficit, urges African countries to fully reopen and stimulate their economies and carry out measures that work - public awareness, scaling testing capacities and tackling the shortfalls in Healthcare facilities. In attempting to explain the losing battle against the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that seems to degenerating into an endemic disease on the African continent, analysts and opposition political figures point accusing fingers at Africas leadership (or lack thereof), while governments (or ruling party politicians) point fingers at growing global divide in the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines doses. The inequality in distribution of vaccines or vaccine grab by rich countries has been described by Government in Africa and activists as morally unconscionable, counterproductive or vaccines apartheid against Africa – criticizing the worlds richest countries for “hoarding and stockpiling vaccines that could provide for their populations many times over”. For example, even before vaccine candidates were approved in the US and Europe last year, bilateral deals between governments in rich countries and pharmaceutical companies were signed rich countries to monopolise early doses of any effective vaccine. The US and Canada are believed to have ordered vaccines equivalent to more than four and ten times their populations respectively. The United Nations health agency (WHO) estimated that 1 in 4 people in high‑income countries have been vaccinated compared to a precipitously declining ratio of 1 in 500 in poorer countries. This unconscionable inequity in vaccine coverage coupled with ineffective measures, healthcare shortfalls and inadequate facilities in Africa have all led to an alarming spike in new cases and deaths. This is despite the economy-killing lockdowns and new laws giving Governments the power to impose curfews that remain in place for longer and other big restrictions on our individual and collective freedoms in modern history. As an academic in the areas of Leadership and African cultural studies, I urge that the realm of leadership is a consequential phenomenon and arguably leaders have the single most important bearing on effective execution of any interventions. While talks are underway for countries with vaccine more than enough to cover their populations to make immediate donations to COVAX, and acknowledging that external support out comes after the rains (akimuhana kaza imvura ihise), this article urges African countries to fully reopen and stimulate their economies and carry out measures that work — public awareness, scaling testing capacities and tackling the shortfalls in Healthcare facilities. Awareness-raising as a strategic approach with organised communication activities to inform, educate and increase public visibility and awareness on particular measures that work and the resources available for support. Employ a variety of campaign approaches and techniques radio broadcasts with the intention of influencing public behaviors. According to experts, lack of access to testing is hampering efforts to save lives. Investing in diagnostics must be front and centre of efforts to tackle the Coronavirus disease. What kind of Covid-19 test capacities are available vs. required? What are antigens and antibodies? What about the accuracy of these tests are topics of my next series of article. A robust healthcare system is critical for access to care for Covid-19 patients. As the coronavirus pandemic surges across the country, hospitals are facing a crisis-level shortage of beds, respirators and staff to provide adequate environment for healthcare personnel and safe patient care. Healthcare facilities and capability for various diagnostic, therapeutic, and protective medical devices in high demand during the Covid-19 spike in new cases will be discussed in my next series of article. Insights into how these measures could play out in real African life are topics of my next series of articles. I will also share my lived experience as a Covid-19 patient. Watch this space. The writer is a Doctor of Leadership and African cultural studies.
