SJD1501
ASSIGNMENT 6 SEMESTER 2 2024
UNIQUE NO.
DUE DATE: 18 OCTOBER 2024
, SJD1501
Assignment 6 Semester 2 2024
Unique Number:
Due Date: 18 October 2024
Social Dimensions of Justice
1. Response to Claims that Africa Lacks Pandemic Expertise
Africa’s response to pandemics is often underappreciated due to long-standing
misconceptions. Contrary to beliefs of inadequacy, Africa has demonstrated significant
expertise in managing health crises, particularly in controlling infectious diseases like
Ebola and HIV/AIDS (Nkengasong & Tessema, 2020). The continent's successful
handling of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa showed robust public health
capabilities, particularly in surveillance, contact tracing, and community engagement.
Africa's institutions, such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
(Africa CDC), have played a key role in coordinating continent-wide efforts to combat
COVID-19. Additionally, African countries have deployed innovative strategies, such as
digital health tools, to monitor cases and distribute vaccines. While there are gaps in
healthcare infrastructure, these issues are not unique to Africa. The argument that
Africa lacks expertise dismisses local knowledge systems and the collaborative
international efforts in place, including partnerships with global health organizations
(WHO, 2020). Underestimating Africa’s potential undermines the global fight against
pandemics, as the continent's contributions are critical for developing a comprehensive
response.
References
1.
Nkengasong, J. N., & Tessema, S. K. (2020). Africa needs a new public health
order to tackle infectious disease threats. Nature Medicine, 26(9), 1194-1196.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0971-7