Africa Science Focus

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to public health in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can change their make-up and become resistant to the drugs that are used to treat them, such as antibiotics. One major challenge the continent faces is the lack of data to provide insight into the extent of the problem.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, African Society for Laboratory Medicine virologist Pascale Ondoa explains the implications of drug resistance for Africa’s health systems. And Yewande Alimi from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention tells us why over-reliance on antimicrobial medicines, particularly without a diagnosis, is a key reason for the rise of superbugs.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.

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The lands of indigenous peoples contain much of the world’s surviving tropical forests – which are key to limiting the devastating impacts of climate change. Yet it is estimated that just 17 per cent of global climate and conservation finance allocated for indigenous peoples and local communities’ forest management initiatives reaches them.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, Bryson Ogden of the Rights and Resources Initiative in Washington DC explains the barriers indigenous peoples face in accessing funds meant to protect forests on their lands. And Kenyan social entrepreneur and climate leader, Patricia Kombo, speaks about the importance of the forests in indigenous communities.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.

Episode 37

Africa’s prisons are hotbeds of disease and hunger — problems that have been heightened by COVID-19, a lack of resources and poor planning, health and rights advocates tell Africa Science Focus.

This week, reporter Charles Pensulo speaks to a former inmate of Malawi’s notoriously overcrowded prisons, who tells us what life was like behind the walls. We hear about the public health threat from tuberculosis and HIV from Thokozile Phiri-Nkhoma, the executive director of Facilitators of Community Transformation, while Alexious Kamangila from the legal non-profit Reprieve tells us why the poorest members of Malawi’s society still find themselves trapped in the system.

Malawi Prisons Service has acknowledged that it continues to face operational challenges, including inadequate funding, dilapidated infrastructure and old legislation, despite efforts to implement international prison standards

And, in this week’s Q&A segment, Cindy from St Therese Girls’ Secondary School in Zambia has a fantastic question about coronavirus.

Is there something you want to know about life, health or science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.

Africa Science Focus , with Selly Amutabi.

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at [email protected]

Episode 35

Music is at the heart of many African cultures. Now, music is taking centre stage in health communication and treatment — particularly in rural communities, where access to television, radio, the internet and electricity is limited.

This week on Africa Science Focus, we hear how music can be a game-changer when it comes to fighting disease. Edward Kabuye has been drumming up interest in cancer and HIV for years, while Joy Mugambi from the World Organization of Family Doctors Africa region tells us how music has been used to communicate about coronavirus.

Is there something you want to know about science in Africa? Send us your questions from anywhere in the world and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message via WhatsApp to +254799042513.

Africa Science Focus , with Selly Amutabi.

This programme was funded by the European Journalism Centre, through the European Development Journalism Grants programme, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at [email protected]

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at [email protected]