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There is increasing evidence that Africans living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes are more likely to suffer severe cases of COVID-19 and die.

With several African countries now expanding COVID-19 testing, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a network of laboratories to reinforce genome sequencing of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, in Africa.

When Dr Mark Anthony makes his weekly rounds in Kaduna state, from public hospitals to private facilities, he is encouraged to see health workers protecting themselves, attending to patients with the right protective gear and performing the necessary hand hygiene. It gives him hope that the battle against COVID-19 will be won in his country.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone disrupted the health system, especially the delivery of routine services. As infection prevention and control measures are being practiced and monitored, the implementation of routine services has commenced in order to ensure the gains made over the years are maintained. In this regard, capacity building on Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has commenced for maternity staff in the regional hospitals.