In Africa, data on confirmed cases of and deaths caused by COVID-19 have been vastly underestimated. There are many reasons for this, including the widespread unavailability of tests and – even more problematic – the lack of systems for civil registration and vital statistics such as Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for keeping records of births, deaths and the cause of the latter. For example, South Sudan has done a total of about 300,000 COVID-19 tests, while Italy did over 1 million tests daily at the height of the pandemic. According to WHO data, Africa has reported around 250,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic; yet only six of Africa’s 54 countries have reliable systems for registering deaths and their causes. In South Africa, a significant proportion of the number of excess deaths recorded since the start of the crisis – 300,000 – is likely attributable to COVID-19. Thus it is important to exercise caution and avoid making ill-considered affirmations about the supposed lesser impact of COVID-19 on Africa (a conjecture put forth by numerous media outlets). To prevent the emergence of new and dangerous variants in Africa, its population must be vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccine patents should be suspended, and investments should be made in testing, epidemic surveillance systems and registration systems.In Africa, data on confirmed cases of and deaths caused by COVID-19 have been vastly underestimated. There are many reasons for this, including the widespread unavailability of tests and – even more problematic – the lack of systems for civil registration and vital statistics such as Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) for keeping records of births, deaths and the cause of the latter. For example, South Sudan has done a total of about 300,000 COVID-19 tests, while Italy did over 1 million tests daily at the height of the pandemic. According to WHO data, Africa has reported around 250,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic; yet only six of Africa’s 54 countries have reliable systems for registering deaths and their causes. In South Africa, a significant proportion of the number of excess deaths recorded since the start of the crisis – 300,000 – is likely attributable to COVID-19. Thus it is important to exercise caution and avoid making ill-considered affirmations about the supposed lesser impact of COVID-19 on Africa (a conjecture put forth by numerous media outlets). To prevent the emergence of new and dangerous variants in Africa, its population must be vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccine patents should be suspended, and investments should be made in testing, epidemic surveillance systems and registration systems.

Doctors with Africa CUAMM has worked in support of Italy’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign since June 2021, partnering with the Veneto Region, the local health authority “ULSS 6 Euganea”, and the Diocese of Padua to set up Padua’s first volunteer-run vaccination hub. Located in Rubano, Padua, and staffed by around 190 dedicated volunteers, the hub operated for 234 days to administer COVID-19 vaccines, ultimately getting more than 48,000 shots into arms, including first, second and third (booster) doses. The intervention was part of a broader project called “Italian Response to COVID-19” that took place in 19 health facilities in 6 Italian regions with the goal of improving hygiene infrastructure and practices, patient assistance, and personnel protection and efficiency.

The data shows that African countries come in last place in terms of the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered to the overall population. Indeed, WHO data as of April 2022 reported that only 16% of the African population were fully vaccinated, while 21% had received at least one dose. The continent’s low vaccine coverage is also a global security issue, so pushing for effective vaccination campaigns there is also a way to help limit the spread of new variants.
From the outset, Doctors with Africa CUAMM’s “A Vaccine for All of Us” campaign was devised as a support to local healthcare services (which were already fragile prior to the pandemic) at both the center and peripheral levels in the most remote districts and health centers, as well as in communities. The main goal continues to be that of improving health service delivery, increasing its availability, quality and use.

In 2021 the expenditures of Doctors with Africa CUAMM, a non-profit NGO, totaled €41,986,172. Of this figure, 92.5% (€38,822,857) was invested in our projects for treatment, prevention and training in the countries where we work. Operating costs accounted for 3.2% of the total and included the overall management of CUAMM’s facilities, staff, depreciations, financial charges and taxes and fees. Communications, outreach and fundraising expenses accounted for 4.3% of the total and included the organization of events in Italy, publications, media relations, development education, loyalty marketing, new campaigns and the staff of the Communications, Community Relations and Fundraising divisions.