Bulletin 12: SADC Regional Response to COVID-19

The 12th Bulletin on SADC Response to COVID-19 is being published at a time when the WHO African region has just concluded the 70th Session of the Africa Regional Committee held virtually from Congo-Brazzaville. The meeting took stock of the wider situation on health on the continent but more importantly, the challenges that have been posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the measures that Member States have taken to contain the pandemic.

The report provides highlights of the global, continental and regional situation of COVID-19. The Bulletin also documents a case study on the COVID-19 home based care programme in Zambia and how the programme is assisting to alleviate the burden of care in health facilities.

The Bulletin goes on to provide a WHO Surveillance Guide which Member States can utilize. In view of the impact of COVID-19 on economic growth, the report makes reference to World Bank and IMF Lending Facilities which have been availed to Member States as part of economic recovery initiatives that have been adopted by Member States. Finally, the bulletin provides highlights of the impact of COVID-19 on sectors such as Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), Meteorology and Transport among others.