Open AccessCOVID-19: an opportunity for African governments to rethink social welfare benefits and protection
Author(s) -
Ikenna D. Ebuenyi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the pan african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.287
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1937-8688
DOI - 10.11604/pamj.supp.2020.35.2.23875
Subject(s) - social protection , nexus (standard) , public health , poverty , medicine , welfare , covid-19 , social welfare , economic growth , social determinants of health , development economics , public economics , disease , political science , nursing , economics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , computer science , law , embedded system
The emergence of COVID-19 in December 2019 has highlighted several lessons about Public health emergencies. One important lesson is on the role of social welfare benefits and protection in the overall management of public health emergencies. The absence of a functional and digitalized social welfare system in Africa may render ineffective public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The social determinant of disease illustrates the nexus between poverty and health outcomes. Therefore, COVID-19 is an opportunity for African governments to rethink their stance on social welfare benefits and protection; and adopt mechanisms that protect the most vulnerable.