Metro

WHO says life expectancy in Africa has grown 10 years longer: But Africans know better

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2022

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), life expectancy in Africa has grown significantly with people now living nearly 10 years longer than before.

In a report on Saturday by the UN health agency, a recent study it conducted has shown that life expectancy across the continent has risen from 46 years to 56 years, which is an improvement on a previous study it carried out 10 years ago.

The rise, according to the agency, is because of better access to health services in the continent, but noted that the numbers are “still well below the global average of 64 years”, according to the health agency.

The WHO said it analysed life expectancy data from 47 African countries between 2000 and 2019, and concluded that the rise of life expectancy in Africa was greater than any other region of the world, but warned the Covid pandemic could affect the gains.

In a tweet on its handle, the WHO said:

“Healthy life expectancy in the African region has increased on average by 10 years per person between 2000 and 2019,” it wrote.

Healthy life expectancy in the African region 🌍 has increased on average by 10 years per person between 2000 and 2019, a WHO assessment reports👏🏾 ➡️ https://t.co/MqJhb8ZEPn pic.twitter.com/HAitiYmIam

— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) August 4, 2022

In yet another tweet, the agency said:

“The 2022 report shows that healthy life expectancy or the number of years an individual is in a good state of health increased to 56 years in 2019, compared with 46 in 2000.”

“Improvements in the provision of essential #health services, gains in reproductive, maternal, newborn & child health, as well as progress in the fight against infectious diseases helped to extend healthy life expectancy.”

But the assessment by the global health agency may not be completely correct as most Africans still battling with access to health facilities as most countries are still dependent on donor agencies for their health needs.

Outbreaks of diseases in most impoverished African countries have been difficult to tackle without the help of foreign countries especially in sub-saharan Africa.

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Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

23 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.