Francisca Mutapi
Edinburgh
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Articles by Francisca Mutapi
View / We need to domesticate Africa’s health algorithm Original
As healthcare enters the age of artificial intelligence, data is becoming as strategically important as physical infrastructure. For Africa, this shift is profound. The continent holds some of the world’s most diverse and underrepresented health data — critical for building robust global health systems — yet much of the infrastructure to analyze, govern, and benefit from that data remains external.
View: We need to domesticate Africa’s health algorithm
Flipboard HomeLandscape version of the Flipboard logo Related storyboards More stories from Technology This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Linara Bozieva, a 39-year-old founder of Ravenopous, based in San Jose. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Loading audio narration... A little over two years ago, I was laid off from eBay after spending 11 years with the … And what to do to avoid them.
Identifying gaps in the care and management of NTD morbidity, disability and disfigurement in Africa
Loading metrics Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article ? This is an uncorrected proof. Citation: Pfavayi LT, Osakunor DNM, Chiombola CE, Mutapi F (2025) Identifying gaps in the care and management of NTD morbidity, disability and disfigurement in Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 19(12): e0013834.
Why Africa must localize health production
Africa experiences more disease outbreaks and public health emergencies than any other region globally. This reality is shaped by fragile health systems, limited disease surveillance, and inadequate access to safe water and sanitation. The continent is also deeply reliant on external supply chains for essential health products — vaccines, diagnostics, and medicines.
Hygiene behaviours are critical for addressing neglected tropical diseases - Nature Human Behaviour
Neglected tropical diseases affect more than a billion people worldwide, cause ill health and perpetuate cycles of poverty. Behavioural change can help, particularly through hygiene. But to achieve this we first need to understand the complex circumstances that mean hygiene is not always prioritized.
Afrique: Crise du financement des soins de santé en Afrique - Trois stratégies pour lutter contre les maladies mortelles
analyse La tendance baissière de l'aide étrangère à l'Afrique oblige le continent de réévaluer son approche en matière de prestation des soins de santé. Les pays africains font face à un double défi : une forte prévalence des maladies transmissibles, comme le paludisme et le VIH/sida, conjuguée à une progression rapide des maladies non transmissibles. Pourtant, les systèmes de santé du continent manquent de ressources pour garantir des soins accessibles et abordables à leurs populations.
Crise du financement des soins de santé en Afrique : trois stratégies pour lutter contre les maladies mortelles
La tendance baissière de l'aide étrangère à l'Afrique oblige le continent de réévaluer son approche en matière de prestation des soins de santé. Les pays africains font face à un double défi : une forte prévalence des maladies transmissibles, comme le paludisme et le VIH/sida, conjuguée à une progression rapide des maladies non transmissibles. Pourtant, les systèmes de santé du continent manquent de ressources pour garantir des soins accessibles et abordables à leurs populations.
HT Syndication: Africa's healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases
New Delhi, April 15 -- The increasing trend of reducing foreign aid to Africa is forcing the continent to reassess its approach to healthcare delivery. African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent's health systems don't have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.
Africa’s healthcare funding crisis: 3 strategies to manage deadly diseases Original
The increasing trend of reducing foreign aid to Africa is forcing the continent to reassess its approach to healthcare delivery. African countries face a major challenge of dealing with high rates of communicable diseases, such as malaria and HIV/Aids, and rising levels of non-communicable diseases. But the continent’s health systems don’t have the resources to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to address these challenges.
Afrique: 4 pistes pour sortir de la dépendance à l'aide extérieure
Depuis 2018, on observe une tendance à la baisse de l'aide au développement destinée à l'Afrique. Les donateurs redéfinissent leurs priorités en fonction de leurs agendas nationaux et internationaux. L'Allemagne, la France et la Norvège, par exemple, ont toutes réduit leur aide à l'Afrique au cours des cinq dernières années. Et, en 2020, le gouvernement du Royaume-Uni a réduit son aide publique au développement de 0,7 % à 0,5 % du revenu national brut.
Santé en Afrique : 4 pistes pour sortir de la dépendance à l'aide extérieure
Depuis 2018, on observe une tendance à la baisse de l'aide au développement destinée à l'Afrique. Les donateurs redéfinissent leurs priorités en fonction de leurs agendas nationaux et internationaux. L'Allemagne, la France et la Norvège, par exemple, ont toutes réduit leur aide à l'Afrique au cours des cinq dernières années. Et, en 2020, le gouvernement du Royaume-Uni a réduit son aide publique au développement de 0,7 % à 0,5 % du revenu national brut.
Africa: How can foreign aid dependency be reduced?
Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care. Therfore, long-term strategies to reduce aid dependency are critical, writes Francisca Mutapi from University of Edinburgh. There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years.
Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health - 4 ways to fix this
There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care.
There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care.
Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health – 4 ways to fix this | Democracy in Africa
There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care.
Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health. Four ways to fix this
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Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health - 4 ways to fix this
There's been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care.
Africa relies too heavily on foreign aid for health - 4 ways to fix this
There’s been a global trend in the reduction of aid to Africa since 2018. Donors are shifting their funding priorities in response to domestic and international agendas. Germany, France and Norway, for instance, have all reduced their aid to Africa in the past five years. And, in 2020, the UK government reduced its Overseas Development Aid from 0.7% of gross national income to 0.5%. Many health services across the African continent rely heavily on overseas aid to provide essential care.
Afrique: Maladies tropicales négligées - La résistance aux médicaments complique le traitement
analyse Le fait que les médicaments ne soient plus efficaces pour traiter les infections constitue un défi majeur pour la santé à notre époque. Cela se produit lorsque les agents responsables des infections (bactéries, virus ou champignons) deviennent résistants aux médicaments. Les antimicrobiens sont une large gamme de médicaments qui agissent sur les microbes - comme les bactéries, les champignons, les virus ou les parasites.
Maladies tropicales négligées : la résistance aux médicaments complique le traitement
Le fait que les médicaments ne soient plus efficaces pour traiter les infections constitue un défi majeur pour la santé à notre époque. Cela se produit lorsque les agents responsables des infections (bactéries, virus ou champignons) deviennent résistants aux médicaments. Les antimicrobiens sont une large gamme de médicaments qui agissent sur les microbes - comme les bactéries, les champignons, les virus ou les parasites.
Maladies tropicales négligées : la résistance aux médicaments complique le traitement
Le fait que les médicaments ne soient plus efficaces pour traiter les infections constitue un défi majeur pour la santé à notre époque. Cela se produit lorsque les agents responsables des infections (bactéries, virus ou champignons) deviennent résistants aux médicaments. Les antimicrobiens sont une large gamme de médicaments qui agissent sur les microbes - comme les bactéries, les champignons, les virus ou les parasites.
Quando os remédios não funcionam: eliminação de doenças tropicais negligenciadas pode reduzir resistência antimicrobiana
Um grande desafio de saúde da atualidade é quando os medicamentos não funcionam mais para tratar infecções. Isso acontece quando os agentes causadores das infecções, que podem ser bactérias, vírus ou fungos, tornam-se resistentes aos medicamentos. Os antimicrobianos são uma ampla gama de medicamentos que atuam em micróbios, como bactérias, fungos, vírus ou parasitas. Os antibióticos, por exemplo, são um tipo de antimicrobiano que atua contra as bactérias.
Quando os remédios não funcionam: eliminação de doenças tropicais negligenciadas pode reduzir resistência antimicrobiana
Um grande desafio de saúde da atualidade é quando os medicamentos não funcionam mais para tratar infecções. Isso acontece quando os agentes causadores das infecções, que podem ser bactérias, vírus ou fungos, tornam-se resistentes aos medicamentos. Os antimicrobianos são uma ampla gama de medicamentos que atuam em micróbios, como bactérias, fungos, vírus ou parasitas. Os antibióticos, por exemplo, são um tipo de antimicrobiano que atua contra as bactérias.
When medicines don’t work: Eliminating neglected tropical diseases will reduce drug resistance - a win for all
A major health challenge of our time is when drugs no longer work to treat infections. This happens when the agents that cause infections – they may be bacteria, viruses or fungi – become resistant to the drugs. Antimicrobials are a broad range of medications that act on microbes – like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. Antibiotics, for instance, are one type of antimicrobial working against bacteria.
How Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases Can Reduce Drug Resistance
Cross-sectoral efforts, preventive medicine, and sanitation improvements are essential to achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 target of eliminating at least one neglected tropical disease in 100 countries. By doing so, we can reduce antimicrobial use and safeguard global health A major health challenge of our time is when drugs no longer work to treat infections. This happens when the agents that cause infections – they may be bacteria, viruses or fungi – become resistant to the drugs.
Francisca Mutapi
Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh
When medicines don't work: Eliminating neglected tropical diseases will reduce drug resistance-a win for all
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A major health challenge of our time is when drugs no longer work to treat infections. This happens when the agents that cause infections—they may be bacteria, viruses or fungi—become resistant to the drugs. Antimicrobials are a broad range of medications that act on microbes—like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites.
Bagaimana COVID memengaruhi pengendalian penyakit tropis yang terlupakan
Penyakit tropis terabaikan atau neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) adalah istilah umum yang digunakan untuk menggambarkan sekelompok 20 penyakit menular. Penyakit yang bisa melumpuhkan, melemahkan, dan bahkan membunuh ini telah berdampak pada lebih dari 1,7 miliar orang di dunia. Kelompok yang paling rentan dan termiskin adalah yang paling terkena dampaknya.
Africa: Five Actions to Prepare African Countries Better for the Next Pandemic
Africa: Five Actions to Prepare African Countries Better for the Next Pandemic analysis By Francisca Mutapi Globally, cases of COVID-19 and related deaths are lower in June 2022 than they were at the beginning of the year. But the infection numbers are rising. Africa is no exception. The past two years have caused unimaginable disruption of normal life. And these disruptions continue to delay the recovery of economies and health systems in Africa.
Five actions to prepare African countries better for the next pandemic
Globally, cases of COVID-19 and related deaths are lower in June 2022 than they were at the beginning of the year. But the infection numbers are rising. Africa is no exception. The past two years have caused unimaginable disruption of normal life. And these disruptions continue to delay the recovery of economies and health systems in Africa.
How COVID has affected the control of neglected tropical diseases
Neglected tropical diseases is an umbrella term used to describe a group of 20 infectious diseases. These diseases affect over 1.7 billion people. They can disable, debilitate and even kill. The world’s most vulnerable and poorest are most affected. In the past, the diseases in this group have been overlooked internationally and poorly funded domestically: hence the “neglected” in the name.
Managing COVID in 2022: First Do No Harm
People wait to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine at a mobile vaccination centre in Bolton, Britain, December 18, 2021. Photo: Reuters/Phil Noble As the world approaches a second year of living with the global pandemic, hundreds of millions have lost jobs or have been pushed back into poverty. What does living with the virus imply? It means evaluating our mitigation strategies to ensure they are effective, proportionate, appropriate and sustainable.
Francisca Mutapi, Author at The Wire Science
Managing COVID in 2022: First Do No Harm
Africa can attain research excellence
By Francisca Mutapi Prospective students and their parents have been examining the recently published 2022 World University Rankings. The ranking pattern has now become familiar. European, American and Asian universities jostle for the top positions while a sprinkling of African universities start appearing after the first 200. Some don’t even enter the rankings. This is despite universities in Africa making the most progress in the rankings since 2018.
Africa needs to speed up research excellence: here's how
Prospective students and their parents have been examining the recently published 2022 World University Rankings. The ranking pattern has now become familiar. European, American and Asian universities jostle for the top positions while a sprinkling of African universities start appearing after the first 200. Some don’t even enter the rankings. This is despite universities in Africa making the most progress in the rankings since 2018. The rankings are derived using various measures.
How has COVID-19 hit Africa? Here's what the data tells us
Africa faced fewer COVID-19-related deaths than some early predictions suggested. Two of the main reasons behind this is our limited knowledge of the virus' behavior in different environments and also an underestimation of Africa's pandemic response. Below are some key findings from Africa's epidemic, in addition to what we can learn from these in preparation for future pandemics.
COVID-19 shows why African data is key for the continent's response to pandemics
Early predictions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by some public health scientists painted a gloomy picture for Africa. The continent was expected to suffer a huge burden of disease and death. These predictions have not held true. The continent has experienced fewer deaths than predicted. In addition, it has been much less affected than many other parts of the world.
Africa: Covid-19 Shows Why Africa's Reliance On Outsiders for Health Services Is a Problem
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced several truths about the detrimental effects of Africa being over reliant on western and international stakeholders to solve its health challenges and using western solutions to Africa's health problems. The continent has suffered heavily from the global COVID-19 supply chain crisis.
COVID-19 shows why Africa's reliance on outsiders for health services is a problem
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced several truths about the detrimental effects of Africa being over reliant on western and international stakeholders to solve its health challenges and using western solutions to Africa’s health problems. The continent has suffered heavily from the global COVID-19 supply chain crisis.
Africa can flatten Covid-19 curve only if it invests in own health ecosystems
Sunday, June 27, 2021 A nurse attends to Covid-19 patients recuperating at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu County on June 10, 2021. Photo credit: Tonny Omondi | Nation Media Group By Francisca Mutapi Deputy director, NIHR Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh Covid-19 has shown what African governments, philanthropists, pharma and science institutions can achieve when they work together.
Managing COVID in 2022: First Do No Harm
As the world reaches its second year of living with the global pandemic, a grim picture is emerging. More than119 million people were pushed back into poverty in 2020, an equivalent of 255 million full-time jobs were lost, and the number of people suffering from hunger – which was already climbing before the pandemic – is estimated to increase by 83-132 million. And this is before contemplating the illness, death and stresses on healthcare systems that COVID-19 has wrought.
Africa should set its own health-research agenda
In a controversy reported last month, critics accused a UK institute of using African people’s DNA inappropriately, without sharing the benefits with partner institutions in Africa. But the biggest failing I see in transcontinental partnerships goes deeper. It involves inequity in the control of funding, research agendas, outputs, training and infrastructure. At a meeting I led in Accra, Ghana, this year, funders, policymakers and researchers agreed: ‘safari science’ is ineffective.
Putting the treatment of paediatric schistosomiasis into context
Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a water-borne parasitic infection that results in a debilitating chronic disease with extensive morbidity and organ pathology [1–3]. It is endemic in 76 countries worldwide, with about 207 million people infected of which 123 million are children. The majority (88%) of the people infected with schistosomiasis live on the African continent [2, 3].
Changing Policy and Practice in the Control of Pediatric Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is a chronic disease that affects ∼200 million people. The extended health impact of the disease has been estimated to exceed that of malaria or tuberculosis and to be nearer to that of HIV/AIDS. Within endemic areas, children carry the heaviest burden of infection. Infection/disease is controlled by the treatment of infected subjects with the anthelminthic drug praziquantel.
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