The evolution of the medical workforce in Cape Verde since independence in 1975

COVID-19 in Cabo Verde: an assessment of the first six months of the pandemic in the country

Background

COVID-19, or the new coronavirus, has spread globally since its emergence in December 2019, bringing enormous global health and socioeconomic challenges. Egypt confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Africa on February 14, 2020, while Cabo Verde confirmed the first case on March 19, 2020. Contrary to forecasts that the virus would swiftly spread throughout Africa, which would soon become the infection’s epicenter, the evolution of the pandemic on the continent over the investigated time period has been slower than expected.

Objective

This study aims to comprehend the progression and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cabo Verde during its first six months of existence. After the first confirmed case of the new coronavirus, on March 19, 2020, the government of Cabo Verde closed its international borders. Consequently, a state of emergency was declared with stringent restrictions on the movement of persons and goods. Additionally, facilities for the isolation of sick individuals, including field hospitals, had been established. To aid the most vulnerable, public and private organisations had organized fundraising drives.

Results

Despite the use of mitigation techniques, the pandemic in Cabo Verde has caused severe socioeconomic harm. It is crucial to preserve and strengthen active surveillance, infection control, and risk communication methods. Social protection policies and economic incentives have the potential to boost infection control strategies.

Telemedicine Consultation as an Indicator of Local Telemedicine Champions' Contributions, Health Care System Needs or Both: Tales from Two Continents

Background: Telemedicine systems increase access to care, particularly in remote and developing countries. Nationwide telemedicine programs in Cabo Verde and Albania have been built by the International Virtual e-Hospital Foundation (IVeH) and based on the effective Initiate-Build-Operate-Transfer (IBOT) strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results between the two programs and examine the relationship between the clinical teleconsultations as an indicator of health care system needs and the contribution of local telemedicine champions. Methods: Data were prospectively collected between 2014 and 2018 from Albania and Cabo Verde. Telemedicine champions were defined as programs, physicians, or hospitals who have contributed at least 100 telemedicine consultations during the study periods. Chi-squared test was utilized to analyze the data. Results: There were 2,442 teleconsultations in Cabo Verde and 2,724 teleconsultations in Albania during the study periods. Using the 100-consultation benchmark as the indicator of telemedicine champion, we identified radiology (n = 1,061), neurotrauma (n = 742), and general neurology or stroke (n = 489) as champion clinical disciplines in Albania. With the same method of 100 consultations, we identified eight champion clinical disciplines in Cabo Verde, including neurology (n = 720), cardiology (n = 313), orthopedics (n = 190), surgery (143), endocrinology (141), otolaryngology (n = 139), urology (n = 139), and dermatology (126). The patient transfer/nontransfer ratio was 0.5 in Cabo Verde and 0.3 in Albania (p < 0.001). Three hospitals in Albania and eight community hospitals/health care centers in Cabo Verde requested the majority of teleconsultations. Two main hospitals in Cabo Verde and Albania responded to the consultations. Conclusion: The successful implementation of a telemedicine program depends on many factors. However, physician champions, who eventually create clinical discipline champions, and represent the hospital champions, are the backbone of the sustainability and progress of any telemedicine program. The number of consultations reflects the lack of local specialty expertise to provide health care service and thus can be used for future planning and investment.

Medical training for universal health coverage: a review of Cuba-South Africa collaboration

Achieving improvements in Universal Health Coverage will require a re-orientation of medical education towards a stronger focus on primary health care. Innovative medical curricula have been implemented in some countries, but in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the emphasis remains focused on hospital and speciality services. Cuba has a long history of supporting LMICs and has made major contributions to African health care and medical training. A scheme for training South African students in Cuba was established 20 years ago and expanded more recently, with around 700 Cuban-trained graduates returning to South Africa each year from 2018 to 2022. The current strategy is to re-orientate and re-train these graduates in South African medical schools for up to 3 years as they are perceived to have inadequate skills. This negative narrative on Cuban-trained doctors in South Africa could be changed dramatically. They have highly appropriate skills in primary care and prevention and could provide much needed services to rural and urban under-served populations whilst gaining an orientation to the health problems of South Africa and strengthening their skills. Bilateral arrangements between South Africa and the United Kingdom are providing mechanisms to support such schemes. The Cuban approach to medical education may have lessons for many countries attempting to meet the challenges of Universal Health Coverage.