Africa

2022 - 3 - 30

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Nature.com"

Africa's struggle with hepatitis B (Nature.com)

Liver cancer is common in West Africa. But knowledge about hepatitis B — the viral illness estimated to cause 80% of primary liver cancers globally — is rare.

The prevalence of hepatitis B is estimated to be 4–6% of the population, but the exact figure is unknown. “It will be a document that people can show to policymakers and say, this is what’s necessary to have a successful hepatitis B diagnostic and treatment programme,” Lau says. And, unlike its hepatitis C screening, which is universal, that for hepatitis B covers only pregnant women and the five million people being treated for hepatitis C. “So we’re still missing some hepatitis B cases,” says Manal El-Sayed, a paediatric haematologist and oncologist at Ain Shams University in Cairo and a member of Egypt’s national committee for viral-hepatitis control. El-Sayed says that an effective awareness campaign included giving hepatitis B vaccinations to university students studying medicine, dentistry and nursing — careers in which needle-stick injuries might be associated with increased risk of contracting the disease. A study by scientists in the United Kingdom, Gambia and Senegal, run between 2011 and 2014, was able to enrol around 2,000 people with hepatitis B in the two African countries, and gave those requiring treatment antiviral drugs. Gavi, a global public–private alliance that funds vaccination programmes in low-income countries, had looked into including hepatitis B birth-dose vaccines in 2018 under the range of jabs it supports. For such action to reach the people who need it, however, the widespread ignorance surrounding hepatitis B must be tackled head-on. Hepatitis B is also a complex disease to diagnose and treat. By comparison, in Europe and the Americas, the corresponding figures are 18–19% and 2–3%. The continent also lags behind the rest of the world in preventing hepatitis B through vaccination. In fact, low- and middle-income countries could even see more people dying of viral hepatitis by that year because of the countries’ ageing populations and lack of testing. Liver cancer is common in West Africa. But knowledge about hepatitis B — the viral illness estimated to cause 80% of primary liver cancers globally — is rare. And the number of people living with chronic hepatitis B outnumbered those receiving treatment for the condition by around 10,000 to 1.

C40 Cities launches research on South Africa green jobs - C40 Cities (C40)

C40's latest report shows that taking ambitious city climate action by 2030 could create and support nearly 1.1 million green jobs across South Africa.

As the ‘Creating Local Green Jobs in South Africa’ report shows, not only is investing in a just and green recovery a vital way to build more prosperous, sustainable and inclusive communities, but it can also create hundreds of thousands of good quality green jobs.” The report also highlights that significant investment from public and private sources is needed for cities to realise their full potential in terms of job creation, emissions reduction and building resilience, and that the gains from this investment will far outweigh the cost. It is critical that job creation initiatives are also coupled with skills training to increase the likelihood of beneficiaries securing employment opportunities in the longer term. “The concept of green jobs is not only about saving the environment. The figures are a demographically representative sample proportions by age, gender, region, and race. As the Mayor of Durban, I am committed to growing a sustainable, equitable and inclusive economy. “These are the same communities prone to flooding and in need of support to become more resilient. Cities are also at the forefront of the climate emergency. The report identified improving the energy efficiency of existing and new homes, schools and workplaces as having the most significant job-creation opportunity. Most significantly, creating green jobs will have a ripple effect across people’s lives, from ensuring comfortable homes, to cleaning up the air we all breathe and making cities more resilient to future extreme weather events. Ambitious urban climate action could create and support over 1.8 million green jobs in South Africa by 2030. According to the report, investing in adaptation and nature-based solutions to tackle extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, can produce an additional 705,000 sustainable jobs across the country.

Why Nigeria leads the way in YC's participation in Africa – TechCrunch (TechCrunch)

Nigerian startups are a huge part of the current Y Combinator cohort. Looking at the data, that should not be a surprise.

You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Click here to find out more about our partners. - Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address

South Africa v England: Women's Cricket World Cup semi-final 2022 ... (The Guardian)

Over-by-over report: Who will win through to face Australia in the World Cup final? Join our writers.

There’s a couple of singles, Wyatt gets of the mark with a tickle to third man. 5th over: England 15-1 (Wyatt 4, Knight 1)Wyatt scythes a cut shot away in the air but into the gap, just a single. We’ve been here before of course, England wobbled their way past South Africa in the semi-final at Bristol in 2017 on their way to lifting the trophy. 1st over: England 6-0 (Beaumont 5, Wyatt 1)Tammy Beaumont drives the first ball of the match for four! Wyatt then cuts away for a single and Beaumont gets away with a weird looking poke that goes wide of point. Ismail bowls a tight and fast over, she pins Beaumont on the pad and there’s a big appeal but the umpire says no dice. The sun is out and shining on Danni Wyatt at the moment. Wyatt pokes at a length ball from new bowler Masabata Klaas but the chance goes begging. DROP! Wow. Wyatt plinks a pull high on the bat and into the breeze, Marizanne Kapp diving but the ball goes through her. The game on a knife-edge. Remember the ball looping off the back of her bat and hip? Wyatt joins in with a nudge off her pads for a couple.

Cricket live updates: South Africa vs England, Women's World Cup ... (ABC News)

Defending Women's World Cup champions England take on South Africa at Hagley Oval in Christchurch for a spot in the final. Check out the live scores and ...

South Africa vs England, Women's World Cup, Live Score Updates (NDTVSports.com)

SA-W vs ENG-W, Women's World Cup, Live Updates: South Africa face England in the second semifinal of the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, ...

During the league stage, England bagged eight points in seven games and defeated Bangladesh by 100 runs in their last league game. In their previous fixture, South Africa defeated India by three wickets. SA-W vs ENG-W, Women's World Cup, Live Updates: South Africa face England in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday. The Sune Luus-led side wrapped up their league stage with a second-placed finish.

Women's Cricket World Cup: 'Transformed' England will beat South ... (Sky Sports)

Just like in 2017, England are facing South Africa in the World Cup semi-finals. Sky Sports blogger Phoebe Graham expects a repeat result, backing Heather ...

England are the reigning champions and you feel they believe they can win this. It's hard to turn around a losing streak but credit to them, they have changed the energy within the group and look a completely different team. But England being England (at the time) dropped her early doors! Cricket news Sky Sports blogger Phoebe Graham expects a repeat result, backing Heather Knight’s “transformed” team to reach Sunday’s showpiece in Christchurch… Cricket videos

South Africa's semi-final hoodoo: Will CWC22 see a disastrous ... (International Cricket Council)

South African cricket's relationship with World Cup semi-finals is a painful one. The nation's record of heartbreak at the penultimate hurdle straddles the ...

Two years ago it was another heartbreaking loss that denied South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final. Beginning of dialog window. End of dialog window. Beginning of dialog window. End of dialog window. Beginning of dialog window.

South Africa, England meet in semi for right to face Australia (cricket.com.au)

The 2022 women's ODI World Cup is down to just three teams now, with South Africa and England meeting in the second semi-final with Australia juggernaut ...

England have historically had the better of South Africa, but the Proteas have come a long way since their heartbreaking semi-final loss five years ago. If a semi-final or final is tied, the teams shall compete in a Super Over. And if the Super Over is a tie, subsequent Super Overs will be played until a winner is determined. A first World Cup century continues to elude Laura Wolvaardt butshe has been incredibly consistent, passing fifty in all but one of her innings at this tournament so far. Fortunately, there are reserve days for both semi-finals and the final, so England hopefully need not fear a repeat of their 2020 T20 World Cup semi-final exit. Off-spinner Charlie Dean originally was not included in England's XI but has made a significant impact since being introduced. Sadly for fans outside of New Zealand, the country's borders remain closed to tourists, with the recently announced re-opening to Australians not taking place until April 12.

Africa

Explore the last week