Africa celebrated for COVID-19 response

The manner in which African countries have managed the coronavirus pandemic has set an example for the rest of the world. That was the message of the United Nations Secretary General in an exclusive interview with SABCNEWS in New York on the occasion of the global organisation's release of a policy brief on COVID-19 in Africa. The document addresses issues of economic strain, food security, peace and security and human rights as regions and countries grapple with best practices amidst the public health emergency. The UN Chief lauded South Africa's response, lamented the lack of international solidarity while pledging to do everything in his power to ensure the equitable access to and distribution of a future vaccine for call. Benjamin Moshatama speaks to: • Dr Lucille Blumberg, Deputy Director at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the founding Head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response.• Dr Yenew Kebede Tebeje, head of laboratory systems and networks at the Africa Centre for Disease Control • Dr Mary Stephen technical officer at the World Health Organisation for Africa