World Health Organization surge team to arrive in South Africa
The South African COVID-19 response will soon be bolstered by a surge team of health experts from the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO will be deploying 43 experts from various fields to support the COVID-19 outbreak response management. The first 17 health expects will arrive today and include key expertise in epidemiology, surveillance, case management, infection, prevention and control, procurement, as well as community mobilization and health education. Among them is Dr David Heymann, a seasoned infectious disease epidemiologist and public health expert, who was at one-time Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment at WHO. He headed the response to the SARS epidemic in 2003, working with his team to mediate international efforts to halt the pandemic.
These deployments have emanated from continued discussions between the Minister of Health, Hon Dr Zweli Mkhize, and WHO global and regional leadership. With South Africa now among the top five of the world’s most affected countries, it is critical to strengthen its COVID-19 response.
“At this time when the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa is spreading rapidly, it is important that we work together to intensify our fight against the virus,” said Dr Owen Kaluwa, WHO Representative for South Africa. “For this reason, WHO is ramping up support to complement national and provincial efforts to scale-up the response. Our collective efforts are necessary to identify cases, isolate and provide care, follow up contacts and fully implement physical distancing and other key public health measures. In this way we will minimize the spread and impact of COVID19.”
WHO will be primarily responsible for funding the international surge team with South Africa largely being responsible for providing administrative resources for smooth initiation and integration of the partnership.
The surge team will be jointly led by Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa and Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme. They will work virtually from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo and Geneva, Switzerland respectively to support the experts on the ground.
Optimism around Ethiopia’s potential in post Covid-19 environment
Ethiopian law firm Tameru Wondm Agegnehu Law Office in cooperation with BonelliErede recently held a webinar to discuss Ethiopia’s potential in a post Covid-19 environment. The latest in a series of such sessions organised by Gianpiero Succi, Partner of BonelliErede in charge for the firm’s development in Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa, it covered important topics including bilateral relations international treaties and more.
Opening remarks were delivered by Managing Associate Michele Saponaro and Local Partners Seble Geberegiorgis and Weynalem Weldesenbet spoke at length about several points.
Wondm Agegnehu, Founding Partner of Tameru Wondm Agegnehu Law Office in cooperation
with BonelliErede, commented “With healthy economic growth over the past 15 years, and a population of 100 million people, 70% of who are under 30 and brimming with potential, it’s easy to see why more businesses are looking to the horn of Africa for their next venture. However, the nation is not without its barriers, some of which have been exasperated by the impact of Covid-19. In spite of this, the government has demonstrated a strong willingness to overcome its hurdles. Ratifying the New York Convention, and amending the code of commerce, along with opening up minority stakes in key economic sectors to FDI means that international investors have much to be optimistic about. By hosting these discussions, our goal is to create an environment where dialogue is encouraged. It is with sincere gratitude that we thank all of the attendees, especially our honourable dignitaries. Together, we can continue to put forth solutions to challenges, allowing Ethiopia to shine for decades to come.”
Aleph Hospitality re-opens the Ramada by Wyndham Addis
Dubai-based independent hotel management company, Aleph Hospitality, took over the management of the Ramada by Wyndham Addis, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this year. Due to the Cornoavirus outbreak, which followed soon after takeover, the hotel was partially closed but fully re-opened on 22 June, 2020.
In support of Aleph Hospitality’s brand values and the company’s “count on us to put safety first” campaign – featuring best in class health and hygiene protocols in line with the guidelines and regulations of the World Health Organization and local health authorities – the hotel has re-opened with a complete set of measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of its guests.
Since the management takeover, Aleph Hospitality has been looking at ways to enhance the hotel experience for guests and to optimise the property’s revenues with the addition of new facilities, including an extension of the gym, a new executive lounge, meeting room and a spa, set to open in October 2020.
The hotel, which has been operating since 2016 on Bole Road just minutes from the city’s international airport, becomes Aleph Hospitality’s second property in Addis Ababa, following the company’s takeover of the 115-key independently-branded Getfam Hotel in July 2018.
