The implications of the Sudan war on healthcare workers and facilities: a health system tragedy.

In light of a collapsing healthcare system in Sudan, attacks on healthcare institutions and staff have markedly increased since the eruption of war on the 15th of April, costing many precious lives and valuable hospitals. Around 60 attacks on health facilities have been reported so far, many occupied by one or the other sides of the conflict, and the rest exhibit medication shortages and safety issues; hence, two-thirds of the medical centers are nonfunctioning. More than 200 violations against medical staff were recorded all over the country, which led to the death of 38 healthcare workers. Killing, kidnapping, and assaulting doctors, consequently led to a huge shortage in staff in the few barely working facilities, as the remaining health workers were concerned regarding their safety. Recommendations consisted of ceasing fire, restoring and resuming healthcare services, and insurance of a safe working environment. International collaboration and sufficient financial support are crucial to restore the healthcare system in Sudan.

Epidemiology and etiology of brain cancer in Africa: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a significant threat to public health and a leading cause of morbidity across the globe. Of all cancers, brain cancer can be particularly catastrophic as treatment often fails to achieve the desired degree of effectiveness and diagnosis remains associated with a high mortality rate. Africa, as a continent with resource-limited countries, needs to allocate the necessary proper healthcare infrastructure to significantly reduce cancer rates and improve patient survival. In addition, the relative paucity of data within this field in Africa makes effective management a challenge. OBJECTIVE: This review is aimed at elucidating the currently available evidence base with regard to the epidemiology and etiology of brain cancer within resource-limited African countries. This review hopes to bring to the attention of the wider clinical community the growing burden of brain cancer within Africa and to encourage future research into this field of research. METHODS: The available literature for this Systematic Review was searched on two bibliographic databases, PubMed and Scopus, using an individually verified, prespecified approach. In addition, the Global Cancer Observatory and Global Burden of Disease databases were also utilized. Studies reporting on the epidemiology, etiology, and impact of brain cancer in Africa were suitable for inclusion. The level of evidence of the included studies was considered as per the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine recommendations. RESULTS: Out of the four databases searched, 3848 articles were initially screened rigorously, filtered into 54 articles, and finally assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. We have demonstrated a poor survival rate and lack of proper funds/resources necessary to report, identify, and treat cases, as well as the dearth of comprehensive research on the subject of brain cancer that has become a challenging healthcare concern in many African developing nations. Also, because of the gradual improvement in healthcare facilities and the increasing population within many countries in Africa, the number of patients with central nervous system and intracranial tumors is rising specifically in the elder population. In addition, the population in West Africa is at a higher risk of HIV-related malignancies due to the high prevalence of HIV in West Africa. The burden of brain cancer in Africa is increasing in comparison with the developed parts of the world in which it is decreasing. Moreover, the mismanagement of cancers in Africa leads to higher morbidity and mortality and decreased quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study addresses the burden of brain cancer as a major public health crisis in Africa. Improved treatment modalities and access to screening are required to better address the burden of this disease. Therefore, there is a clear need for more substantial and comprehensive research on etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of brain cancer within Africa to understand its epidemiological distribution and provide a means for managing and reducing the associated morbidity and mortality.

Anthrax outbreak amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: Challenges and possible solutions.

Anthrax and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are both notable zoonoses that have high morbidity and mortality, not to mention adverse socio-economic and health consequences on the communities they ravage. Anthrax wreaks disease amongst mammalian species worldwide and has an endemic distribution in Africa and Asia. Kenya, for example, records an average of 10 outbreaks annually. In 2014 and 2017, it held anthrax attack rates of 15% and 29%, respectively, and case fatality rates of 1-5%. As with COVID-19, effective surveillance, containment, and vaccination programs are crucial in the fight against anthrax. While there is no evidence of direct, human-to-human transmission of anthrax currently, Bacillus anthracis remains a disease of public health concern that serves to fuel the devastating effects of SARS-CoV-2 in African communities. In this commentary, we examine anthrax spread in Africa amidst COVID-19, the challenges faced by these simultaneous zoonoses, and the efforts put to combat both equally.

Fighting Tuberculosis in Africa: The Current Situation Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading infectious causes of mortality, with around 4000 deaths daily. Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Africa, the region has experienced a lapse in responses directed at TB control, because the priority has shifted to interventions aimed at managing COVID-19. In addition to an unprecedented burden on the region's already overburdened health systems, another major public health concern is the clinical similarities between COVID-19 and TB, making TB diagnosis increasingly challenging, which may lead to poor prognosis, especially in people with TB and COVID-19 co-infection. A likely implication is that TB patients may stop attending health-care facilities due to fear of contracting or being diagnosed with COVID-19 or to avoid being stigmatized, invariably resulting in a disruption in their access to health-care services. Therefore, massive global support should be provided for TB endemic countries to respond synergistically and strongly to the thousands of TB cases as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The understanding of Parkinson's disease through genetics and new therapies.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is one of the progressive neurodegenerative diseases from which people suffer for years. The mechanism of this disease is associated with a decrease in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) while Lewy bodies are still present. As a result, both motor-ridity, tremor, and bradykinesia-and non-motor symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Nowadays, it is well known that the cause behind Parkinson's disease is mainly environmental changes, genetic susceptibility, and toxins. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease but treatments. The replacement of lost neurons, α-synuclein and apomorphine, is currently being studied for new therapies. This article focuses on history, mechanism, factors causing Parkinson's disease as well as future therapies for the cure of the diseases. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected from medical journals published on PubMed, The Lancet, Cells, and Nature Reviews Neurology databases with a predefined search strategy. All articles considering new therapies for Parkinson's disease were considered. RESULTS: The pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease is currently reasonably understood. However, there is no definitive cure so all the treatments focus mainly on reducing or limiting the symptoms. Current treatment studies focus on genetics, replacing lost neurons, α-synuclein and apomorphine. CONCLUSION: Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder worldwide because of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its symptoms include motor dysfunctions such as rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia and non-motor dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression. Through genetics, environmental changes and toxins analysis, it is now known that future new therapies are working on replacing lost neurons, α-synuclein and apomorphine.

Neurological disorders in HIV: Hope despite challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes several diseases by attacking the human immune system. It is transmitted by contact with certain bodily fluids of an infected person, most commonly during unprotected sex, through sharing needles, or from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. The central nervous system is not spared from this virus, as HIV has been shown to induce several neurological disorders. However most neurological pathologies (such as dementia, infections, meningitis, and neuropathy) rarely show until late stages, in this case, after the patients develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This article aims to review the neurological disorders in the HIV population and the attempts initiated to limit the disease. METHODOLOGY: Data were collected from medical journals published on PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Science Direct and Embase bibliographical databases with a predefined search strategy. All articles considering neurological disorders associated with HIV were considered. RESULTS: To date, the pathogenesis of HIV-associated neurological complications remains poorly elucidated; thus, imposing a hindrance and limitations on the treatment options. Nevertheless, some studies have reported alterations in dendritic spine as the causative agent for developing brain damage. CONCLUSION: HIV remains one of the most serious global health challenges, with neurological manifestations imposing a major concern among patients with HIV. Despite the availability and efficacy of antiretroviral therapies, yet, the risk of developing neurological complications remains relatively high among patients with HIV. Thus, the 2030 HIV vision must focus on further preventive measures to protect HIV patients from developing such neurological complications.

People living with mental disorder in Nigeria amidst COVID-19: Challenges, implications, and recommendations.

COVID-19 has become a global public health obstacle. This disease has caused negligence on mental health institutions, decreased trust in the healthcare system and traditional and religious beliefs, and has created a widespread stigma on people living with mental health illness, specifically in Nigeria. The increase of COVID-19 cases that have exhausted the healthcare system in Nigeria have brought further negligence to people living with mental disorder, thus increasing the burden of the disease on these patients. Overall, this article considerably highlighted the need for equal accessibility to healthcare resources, as well as the requirement of proper attention and care for mental health patients in Nigeria. This article discusses the challenges that surfaced because of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with mental illness and their implications, as well as suggesting necessary actions and recommendations.