With support from UNAIDS, two young social media influencers living with HIV are on their way to the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future in New York to urge world leaders to partner with them in the response to HIV. Ibanomonde Ngema from South Africa and Jerop Limo from Kenya will call on leaders to invest in youth-friendly health systems, provide holistic services for young people living with HIV, and to partner with young people and communities, allowing them to lead in the response to HIV.

“Young people’s powerful and vibrant activism has driven so much of the progress made in the HIV response,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “They know what works for them. It is essential for leaders to listen to them to understand the specific challenges that young people face and how those challenges can be overcome. Leaders can only successfully plan how to end AIDS and sustain the advances made by partnering with young people living with HIV.”

“I am representing not only the voices of 1.5 million Kenyans living with HIV but all people living with HIV,” said Jerop Limo, a young Kenyan HIV activist. “I want leaders to leave New York knowing that we are not beneficiaries, we are equal rights holders. We have a voice, we have skills and expertise and we need an equal playing field where our data is valued, where our input is valued and where our voices are heard. We want meaningful and ethical engagement of adolescents and young people in all spaces of the AIDS response.”

Young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Globally, 44% of all new HIV infections were among women and girls (all ages) in 2023 and every week 4000 young women and girls around the world are infected with HIV—3100 are in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, some 3.1 million adolescents and young people (15-24 yrs) were living with HIV—1.9 million were adolescent girls and young women.

“Governments meeting here in New York cannot end AIDS alone. They need to involve us to find solutions. We have lived experiences of HIV, from treatment to mental health, because we navigate life with HIV every day. We need to be included in policymaking so that we can take full ownership of ending end AIDS as a public threat,” said Ibanomonde Ngema, a young South African AIDS activist. “The world can only benefit when young people are included in the global HIV response. No conversation about HIV should take place without us, from policy to practice in communities.”

Too often young people report facing stigma and discrimination, including from doctors and healthcare workers, when they access sexual and reproductive health and HIV services. This discourages them from seeking support and crucial information about their health, putting them at risk of HIV infection or of defaulting on treatment for those who are living with HIV.

Involvement of young people in the HIV response

Young people living with HIV play a critical role in the fight against AIDS in communities. They offer support and share important information about HIV that schools or parents might not talk about. They also challenge stigma and discrimination through social media, helping to save lives and encourage young people to stay on treatment.

They drive innovation in communities, for example, a self-funded project by the Youth Empowerment Group uses e-bikes to deliver antiretroviral medicines, food and adherence support to young people who often cannot attend clinics because their schooling hours conflict with clinic opening times in Namibia.

However, their transformational work is being held back because it is not being sufficiently supported. Youth-led HIV responses often operate with little or no financial and political support. At the UNGA the two young people will call on world leaders to fully support and fund their work. They will also urge leaders to uphold the human rights of young people as key to ending AIDS as a public health threat—they will call on them to protect young people’s right to healthcare, education, freedom of speech, and to provide social support to young people living with HIV.

“Providing treatment is not enough, young people living with HIV need an education and they need a job to survive,” added Jerop Limo. “We need to be seen as equal contributors and partners, and we need investment to allow us drive change. We are the leaders of the future and we need to be included now to help shape a better future for us all.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The Ugandan Ministry of Health has today received brand new Information Technology (IT) Equipment worth USD 222,594 (equivalent to UGX 865,029,221) to support the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the ongoing digitization of health service delivery and the scale-up of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system across all public health facilities.

The IT equipment, comprising 95 laptops and 130 scanners, was donated by the Federal Republic of Germany, through World Health Organization (WHO), as part of their partnership to improve universal health coverage. The equipment will be channeled to the National Referral Hospital, selected Regional Referrals, and General hospitals.

The Ministry of Health is digitizing health service delivery in line with the Health Information and Digital Health Strategic Plan 2020/21-2024/25 as aligned with the Health Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2020/21. This was in response to the National Development Plan (NDP) III and following a Presidential Directive to leverage information technology as a vehicle for improving medical supplies accountability, the quality of health care as well as continuity of care based on a transferable medical record.

During the handover ceremony, Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, welcomed the support of WHO and Germany, which will contribute to improving electronic medical records in health facilities.

 “Ministry of Health is rolling out a comprehensive Electronic Medical Record system in a phased approach to all health facilities across the country starting with National Referral hospitals down to high volume Health centre IIIs. We however still require a lot of investment in computers, as well as networking equipment to facilitate deployment and scale of the system in these health facilities,” Dr. Atwine said.

Echoing the same appreciation, Dr. Christine Chakanyuka Musanhu, Officer In Charge – WHO Uganda Country Office, said that “Scaling up Electronic Medical Records is an area WHO and its partners like the Federal Republic of Germany are happy to support. It resonates well with WHO’s vision of improving the country’s health system to meet the needs of its population.” She further expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ugandan government.

Hans von Schroeder, German Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting the people of Uganda, noting, “We believe that by supporting the digitization of medical records, we are playing a part in ensuring timely access to healthcare by all who need it.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – Uganda.

COKE STUDIO™ 2024 (www.CokeStudioAfrica.com) unveiled exciting new additions to this year’s lineup, welcoming global music superstars, USHER and Tyla. Marking another milestone for COKE STUDIO™, Coca-Cola’s premier global music platform, USHER and Tyla are joining this season alongside several incredible artists including Karol G, NewJeans and Peggy Gou, delivering exclusive musical experiences to fans around the world. 

As part of the COKE STUDIO™ programming, fans can look forward to an array of immersive experiences from USHER and Tyla, including exclusive original tracks and thrilling live performances to be announced in the coming weeks. In October, USHER will perform live in Atlanta as part of his upcoming tour, while Tyla will take the stage in Johannesburg, South Africa where lucky fans will get to be some of the first in the world to experience the new tracks performed live for the very first time. 

“Being part of this year’s COKE STUDIO™ lineup is both an honor and an opportunity to engage with my fans through the power of music. Partnering with Coca-Cola to bring these experiences to life is exciting, and I can’t wait for fans to join us in the magic we’re crafting together,” said USHER. 

“I’m excited to perform in my hometown of Johannesburg as part of the COKE STUDIO™ platform. It’s a privilege to bring these vibrant moments to life and share the joy and energy with music lovers across the world,” said Tyla. 

USHER and Tyla are the latest artists to curate new music for COKE STUDIO™ 2024 following the successful song drops of Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” (https://apo-opa.co/3Twfqxy), Peggy Gou’s “Find The Way” (https://apo-opa.co/3Zwa09F), and NewJeans’ “How Sweet” (https://apo-opa.co/3Xzzbp4) videos. Karol G’s COKE STUDIO™ session has been celebrated for its remarkable achievements, as it reached the No. 1 global top music video on YouTube with over 225 million views. The song has been on top of the global charts for more than ten weeks, while also reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. You can pre-save Usher’s track here (https://apo-opa.co/3Xzo7bs) before it’s released across music streaming services.

“We’re thrilled to welcome two of our favorite artists, USHER and Tyla, to our incredible 2024 lineup. This year COKE STUDIO™ offers unparalleled access to exclusive content and experiences that can’t be found anywhere else. We’ve partnered with both USHER and Tyla to create something special for their fans, and we’re sure that they will love what we have in store for the rest of 2024,” said Josh Burke, global head of music and culture marketing at The Coca-Cola Company.

The COKE STUDIO™ 2024 campaign was developed by Universal Music Group for Brands, Spotify AUX, Blended Strategy Group, Tyne Valley Group and WPP Open X including VML, Ogilvy and EssenceMediacom.   

Fans can learn more information and access all content related to COKE STUDIO™ by visiting https://apo-opa.co/3TzOOM1.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coke Studio Africa.

Contact: 
Amel Benchikh El Houcine
abenchikh@coca-cola.com

About The Coca-Cola Company:
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our water, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak and Ayataka. Our juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.Coca-ColaCompany.com and follow us on Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3ZpCjGN), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3TwfugM) and LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/4evqEua).

By Dr. David Ugai, Country Director for Guinea, Mercy Ships (www.MercyShips.org).

Just days away from the opening of a new training facility at Guinea’s only dental school on September 25th that will more than double its capacity, Dr. David Ugai reflects on the transformative journey he and the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry have embarked upon together, and the power of collaboration.

Dental care is not a luxury; it is a crucial component of essential healthcare. Without it, not only is people’s health jeopardized, but their lives are at risk. Don’t just take my word for it—look at the tragic outcomes in nations without sustainable access to dental care, where the result is often inoperable tumors, dental abscesses and early deaths.

The root problem lies in the stark imbalance between the population and the healthcare workforce. In the WHO African Region, there are an average of just 3.3 dentists per 100,000 people (http://apo-opa.co/3XOxLsb) – a figure that’s around one-tenth of the global ratio. In nations like Guinea, this leaves much of the population, particularly those living in rural areas, unable to access timely dental care when they need it. The need is particularly high among children, with the WHO citing that 40% of those aged 1-9 in Guinea have untreated cavities. This unsustainable ratio leaves vast segments of the population without even basic dental care. Without addressing this fundamental issue, other efforts will remain inadequate.

In my career as a dental professional, I’ve gained valuable insights into the crucial role healthcare practitioners play in transforming communities, especially in Africa, where access to quality care can make a profound difference. From the experience of working in different countries, including Guinea, Cameroon, Haiti, and Belize, I encountered a wide range of healthcare challenges and began volunteering with Mercy Ships in 2012.

Here in Guinea, with Mercy Ships, I have felt the strongest calling—to work alongside this nation’s experts to help address the pressing gaps in dental education and healthcare that persist within this region. My motivation is driven by faith, a guiding principle that has shaped my career and my desire to give back to communities in need. 

When we examine Africa, the state of oral health is deeply concerning. A staggering 44% of the population suffers from oral diseases, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report (http://apo-opa.co/3XOxLsb). Over the last three decades, the region has seen the steepest rise in oral diseases globally, yet spending on treatment remains shockingly low. 

SEVERELY UNDERSERVED

Like many other African nations, Guinea faces a significant shortage of dental professionals, resulting in a concerning public health issue. We are making progress, but many rural areas are severely underserved, with people forced to travel long distances for basic dental services. Access to proper training and education is limited, which in turn affects the quality of care available to the population.  

Currently, one of the most pressing issues in dental healthcare in Guinea, and Africa at large, is the prevalence of dental cavities. The increasing consumption of sugar and carbohydrates, exacerbated by the rise of sugary beverages and processed foods, has led to a surge in dental decay. Left untreated, dental cavities can result in serious health complications, such as abscesses that may become life-threatening. Unlike in more high-income countries, where healthcare systems are robust enough to prevent such outcomes, in Guinea, many people lack access to timely dental care, resulting in preventable fatalities. 

To tackle these issues, we must go beyond individual treatment and focus on comprehensive solutions.

When I first visited Guinea as a Mercy Ships volunteer in 2012-2013, fresh out of dental school, the dental crisis here hit me hard. I was particularly struck by the lack of hands-on training for dental students. Unlike my education, their studies were almost entirely theoretical, with little practical experience until after graduation.  

Many students had to rely on their initiative, seeking private dentists or online resources to fill the gaps in their education. This has resulted in a disparity where only the most motivated students were able to succeed, while others fell behind due to a lack of resources and support. This should not be the case. 

This is where the importance of partnership becomes clear, and it is the foundation upon which Mercy Ships’ work in Guinea is built. When I returned in 2018, we launched a partnership with Guinea’s only public dental school at the Université Gamal Abdel Nasser of Conakry (UGANC), where all the dentists in the country are trained. This collaboration has evolved significantly, and in September 2024, we’re expanding the clinical training facility.  

Our vision is to provide every student with access to high-quality training that aligns with global accreditation standards. This ensures that when they graduate, they are well-prepared to treat patients not only in Guinea but in any part of the world. 

The expansion of the clinic and the addition of practical training facilities are critical in addressing the challenges faced by dental schools in Africa. Funding remains a major issue, impacting infrastructure, human resources, and equipment. Ensuring that teachers are well-compensated and that students have access to necessary materials is essential, as dentistry is a costly field to support. Additionally, there are shortages of specialized faculty and resources. 

Our expanded clinical training building will more than double our capacity for students. This expansion aims to provide the resources and real-world experience needed to overcome these challenges and develop skilled dentists. We have also achieved accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education in Guinea, which helps maintain quality standards.  

IMPACT

Looking ahead, we plan to pursue international or sub-regional accreditation within the next 5 to 10 years to further enhance the program’s quality and impact. Our goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, receives the training required to excel and contribute to improving dental care throughout Africa. 

The work we are doing at the dental school is not a quick fix, nor do we claim to solve all of Africa’s dental care challenges. However, by focusing on training and expanding the health workforce, and empowering local health professionals, we can begin to close the gap. As more dentists are trained and equipped to practice in rural and underserved regions, we will see a ripple effect. These dentists, trained to meet the needs of their local populations, will be the ones to shape the future of dental care in Guinea and beyond. 

The partnership continues to expand with UGANC and specializations in a leading dental postgraduate program in Morocco. Today, students at UGANC and its related program in Morocco come from various African nations, including Benin, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone.

As I emphasized, dental care is not a luxury but a critical frontline in essential healthcare. These confident professionals will return to their countries, establishing new schools and strengthening dental care in the region.

Gamal’s new extended clinic is due to open on Sept 25th. Press and other interested parties can follow the story by registering here https://apo-opa.com/gamal-dental-clinic-en/

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.