Applicability of WHO COVID-19 Regulations on Poverty Affected Regions: Case Study of Africa

Management and containment of Covid 19 in Africa has been affected by several vulnerability factors peculiar to the region. The transmission rate in Africa has seen a sharp increase recently and containing the virus has proved to be tough under the existing WHO guidelines. The preconditions required for the implementation of the Covid 19 guidelines do not exist in Africa due to its vulnerabilities caused by poverty. Africa is poorly equipped, lacking basic services, water, and sanitation and having fairly weak health systems, poor hygiene facilities, and high population mobility such that the Stay- at- Home guideline, lockdowns, regular hand washing and social distancing have proven difficulty to meet the African context. This study analyzed the applicability of WHO Covid 19 guidelines in the African region. The study recommended that certain policies in support of the poor population be implemented so as to make the WHO Guidelines effective in Africa or development of a separate set of guidelines suiting the African Context so as to contain, mitigate and manage the pandemic in this region.