Thread by @WHO

"Our continent is facing a health crisis unlike any we have faced before.
Yesterday, we crossed 1 million reported #COVID19 cases in the region, with more than 20,000 deaths.
The number of cases in the region has doubled just in the past 6 weeks"-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO

"With the challenges we face obtaining #COVID19 testing kits, it’s likely that the real numbers are significantly higher.
But of course, numbers don’t even begin to tell the real story."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO

"The impact of the #COVID19 pandemic goes far beyond the suffering caused by the virus itself.
Essential services have been suspended or disrupted, putting countless lives at risk."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO

"The #COVID19 pandemic threatens to undo the gains we have made in recent years towards health equity and the @GlobalGoalsUN. But this is far more than a health crisis."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO

"According to the @WorldBank, the region is now in its first recession for 25 years, and in June the @IMFNews predicted that the sub-Saharan economy will contract by 3.2% this year."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO #COVID19

"Every country faces its own unique challenges. There is no one-size fits all solution.
Every country – and every individual, family & community – must take a comprehensive, risk-based approach, tailored to their own context, using the tools available."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO

"Everyone has a role to play, from cleaning hands to maintaining physical distance, staying at home if sick and wearing masks where distancing is not possible"-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO #COVID19

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1297496524763672576?s=20

"Governments must ensure measures are in place for surveillance, testing and contact tracing, to engage and empower communities, and to focus on the most vulnerable groups, including older persons."-@DrTedros at #RC70AFRO #COVID19

"As we learn more about the virus, we are learning the importance of focusing on amplifying events.
All over the 🌎, countries have experienced significant outbreaks linked to events with large numbers of people, incl. at stadiums, nightclubs, churches & protests."-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1283787493096202240

"Since the earliest days of the pandemic, @WHO has been working round the clock at all three levels to support you, our African Member States.
All countries in Africa now have a preparedness and response plan in place."-@DrTedros #AFRORC70

"All countries on the continent now have lab testing capacity for #COVID19, compared with just 2 at the beginning of the pandemic."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1298191677270691840?s=20

"Over the past few months, WHO has shipped millions of #COVID19 test kits and tons of protective equipment to many countries in Africa.
We’ve trained thousands of #healthworkers."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1298191677270691840?s=20

"And through the Access to #COVID19 Tools Accelerator and the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, we’re working to ensure that if and when a vaccine is proven to be safe and effective, it will be accessible equitably for all countries."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"Of course, #COVID19 is not the only emergency to which we are responding.
More than 100 people have now been infected and 43 people have died in a new outbreak of #Ebola in the Equateur province of the #DRC."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"We urgently need more human resources and logistics capacity to support the response in an ever-expanding geographic area."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1298194475748069383?s=20

"We all saw w/ the outbreak in North Kivu & Ituri, that w/
-strong leadership
-close partnership
-new tools incl. vaccines & therapeutics
-incredible dedication of #healthworkers
the ppl & govt of #DRC have the ability to stop #Ebola in the most difficult circumstances"-@DrTedros

"Today we are also celebrating another public health triumph: the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.
This is an incredible achievement, and a much-needed cause for celebration."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"And I fully agree with @MoetiTshidi, how difficult these times are, but how our colleagues are working day and night, starting from Tshidi and the whole @WHOAFRO team.
This is an incredible achievement, and a much-needed cause for celebration."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"The infrastructure built up & the lessons learned through the #polio eradication effort are vital tools that countries must apply to the many other health challenges they face & to strengthening health systems to progress towards #HealthForAll"-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"As we work together to confront this pandemic, I give you my assurance that WHO will continue to support you in every way possible to suppress transmission and save lives."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"Even as we respond to the #COVID19 pandemic, we are continuing to transform WHO to serve you better."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"Through our special programme on #PrimaryHealthCare, we will work with you to strengthen the foundations of #HealthSystems."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"Through our new division of emergency preparedness, we will support you to prevent and mitigate the impact of emergencies, as well as responding to them."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"Through the Office of the Chief Scientist and our division for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact, we will provide the evidence and tools you need to strengthen your information systems to make the best decisions for the biggest impact."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"And through the new #WHOAcademy, we will provide in-person and online training, to empower health workers to accelerate advancements in medical care and practices to patients and communities."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"All these changes of transformation have been done in collaboration with our regions, and on many issues the @WHOAFRO region has lead."-@DrTedros #RCAFRO70

"We’re also working w/ the @_AfricanUnion to strengthen the @AfricaCDC, as my sister @AmiraDSA said & also to est. the Africa Medicines Agency.
I would like to use this opportunity to appreciate the leadership of His Excellency @AUC_MoussaFaki & also Commissioner Amira"-@DrTedros

"#COVID19 has taken so much from us. But it has also reminded us that health is not a luxury item; it the foundation of social, economic & political stability.
We’re all in this together. With national unity & global solidarity, we will overcome this pandemic together."-@DrTedros

"I have just one reminder. I would remind all Member States to join, to ratify the Africa Medicines Agency. This will be an excellent institution for Africa, and much-needed."-@DrTedros #AFRORC70

"From our side we will support you in any way possible, but I remind you and urge you to join, to ratify, and have the Africa Medicines Agency up and running."-@DrTedros #AFRORC70

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1298232353739988993?s=20

"I know how the European Medicines Agency @EMA_News is helping the European Union, and we need to have that kind of continental institution. You have all the commitment from @AUC_MoussaFaki and also from @AmiraDSA, and from my sister @MoetiTshidi and myself."-@DrTedros #AFRORC70

Full text: Director-General @DrTedros opening remark at the @WHOAFRO #AFRORC70
bit.ly/2FX1h9N