Search

Abstract Studies show the role of various electrification technologies in providing electricity access to households in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on electricity demand for end-use services such as lighting, cooking, heating, cooling and other appliance use. The demand for productive use of electricity, which is important to enhance income generation opportunities and labour productivity, is usually not considered. Using the IMAGE-TIMER integrated assessment model framework, we present a methodology to project the impact of productive activities on the electricity system of the region. We show that growing productive activities increase household electricity demand by half, which has important consequences for determining the cost-optimal electrification technologies. We argue that planning of electricity systems should accommodate this increase in electricity demand for productive uses. In addition, while productive uses of electricity have a positive impact on the financial viability of electrification systems, they also increase the electricity sector investment requirements considerably.

ObjectivesTo propose a novel framework for COVID-19 vaccine allocation based on three components of Vulnerability, Vaccination, and Values (3Vs).MethodsA combination of geospatial data analysis and artificial intelligence methods for evaluating vulnerability factors at the local level and allocate vaccines according to a dynamic mechanism for updating vulnerability and vaccine uptake.ResultsA novel approach is introduced including (I) Vulnerability data collection (including country-specific data on demographic, socioeconomic, epidemiological, healthcare, and environmental factors), (II) Vaccination prioritization through estimation of a unique Vulnerability Index composed of a range of factors selected and weighed through an Artificial Intelligence (AI-enabled) expert elicitation survey and scientific literature screening, and (III) Values consideration by identification of the most effective GIS-assisted allocation of vaccines at the local level, considering context-specific constraints and objectives.ConclusionsWe showcase the performance of the 3Vs strategy by comparing it to the actual vaccination rollout in Kenya. We show that under the current strategy, socially vulnerable individuals comprise only 45% of all vaccinated people in Kenya while if the 3Vs strategy was implemented, this group would be the first to receive vaccines.

IntroductionGhana is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to aim for universal health coverage (UHC). Based on Ghana's UHC system, the accessibility and distribution of healthcare facilities were evaluated for 2020. Projecting into 2030, this study aimed at providing geographical information data for guiding future policies on siting required healthcare facilities. Ghana as a precedent for SSA was evaluated and proposed to "leave no disease behind" in the surveillance of infectious diseases (IDs). This is to reinforce the sustainable development goals (SDG) 3 agenda on health that underpins monitoring equity in "leaving no one behind."MethodsGeospatial accessibility, travel time data, and algorithms were employed to evaluate the universality and accessibility of healthcare facilities, and their future projections to meet UHC by 2030. Healthcare facilities as surveillance sites were compared to community-based surveillance to identify which would be more applicable as a surveillance system to leave no disease behind in Ghana.FindingsGhana has 93.8%, 6.1% and 0.1% as primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities respectively. It has 26.1% of healthcare facilities remaining to meet the SDG 3 health target by 2030. In terms of providing quality healthcare, 29.3% and 67.2% of the additional required healthcare facilities for optimal allocation and achieving the UHC target need to be secondary and tertiary respectively. In assessing the broad spectrum of IDs studied from 2000 to 2020, an average of 226 IDs were endemic or potentially endemic to Ghana. The majority of the studies carried out to identify these IDs were done through community-based surveillance.ConclusionEstablishing community-based surveillance sites to leave no disease behind and also providing the required healthcare facilities to reinforce leaving no one behind will enhance the universal health security of Ghana as a precedent for SSA.

Introduction Ghana is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to aim for universal health coverage (UHC). Based on Ghana’s UHC system, the accessibility and distribution of healthcare facilities were evaluated for 2020. Projecting into 2030, this study aimed at providing geographical information data for guiding future policies on siting required healthcare facilities. Ghana as a precedent for SSA was evaluated and proposed to “leave no disease behind” in the surveillance of infectious diseases (IDs). This is to reinforce the sustainable development goals (SDG) 3 agenda on health that underpins monitoring equity in “leaving no one behind.” Methods Geospatial accessibility, travel time data, and algorithms were employed to evaluate the universality and accessibility of healthcare facilities, and their future projections to meet UHC by 2030. Healthcare facilities as surveillance sites were compared to community-based surveillance to identify which would be more applicable as a surveillance system to leave no disease behind in Ghana. Findings Ghana has 93.8%, 6.1% and 0.1% as primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities respectively. It has 26.1% of healthcare facilities remaining to meet the SDG 3 health target by 2030. In terms of providing quality healthcare, 29.3% and 67.2% of the additional required healthcare facilities for optimal allocation and achieving the UHC target need to be secondary and tertiary respectively. In assessing the broad spectrum of IDs studied from 2000 to 2020, an average of 226 IDs were endemic or potentially endemic to Ghana. The majority of the studies carried out to identify these IDs were done through community-based surveillance. Conclusion Establishing community-based surveillance sites to leave no disease behind and also providing the required healthcare facilities to reinforce leaving no one behind will enhance the universal health security of Ghana as a precedent for SSA.