Noah Olabode Olaleke

Digital health innovations are reshaping global healthcare systems by enhancing access, efficiency, and quality of care. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, mobile health applications, and big data analytics have been widely applied to support disease surveillance, enable remote care, and improve clinical decision making. This review critically identifies persistent implementation challenges that hinder the equitable adoption of digital health solutions, such as the digital divide, limited infrastructure, and weak data governance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It aims to propose strategic pathways for integrating digital innovations to strengthen universal health coverage (UHC) and bridge health disparities in the region. By analyzing the best global practices and emerging innovations, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue on leveraging digital health for inclusive, scalable, and sustainable healthcare delivery in underserved regions.

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving to bridge the inequality gap and provide precision care to its diverse population. One of these approaches is the integration of digital health tools into healthcare delivery. Significant milestones such as reduced maternal mortality, rising and rapidly proliferating health tech start-ups, and the use of drones and smart devices for remote health service delivery, among others, have been reported. However, limited access to family planning, migration of health professionals, climate change, gender inequity, increased urbanization, and poor integration of private health firms into healthcare delivery rubrics continue to impair the attainment of universal health coverage and health equity. Health policy development for an integrated health system without stigma, addressing inequalities of all forms, should be implemented. Telehealth promotion, increased access to infrastructure, international collaborations, and investment in health interventions should be continuously advocated to upscale the current health landscape and achieve health equity.

Mental health is a crucial but frequently neglected aspect of general health and well-being that faces numerous challenges, including underfunding, shortage of trained professionals, pervasive stigma, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient policies in sub-Saharan Africa. This review reports the significant progress and initiatives that have been made in this region. South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana have developed national policies and integrated mental health services into primary healthcare, marking a shift towards community-based care and reducing stigma through awareness campaigns. Countries such as South Africa and Rwanda have robust infrastructure, while Ethiopia and Kenya emphasize training primary healthcare providers and community-based models. Ghana's Mental Health Act and Uganda's collaboration with NGOs has enhanced awareness and resource mobilization. Mental healthcare-targeted programs, such as Kenya's Friendship Bench and Ethiopia's Health Extension Program, have demonstrated the efficacy of community-based interventions. South Africa has leveraged innovative approaches, such as telepsychiatry, to expand access to holistic mental health services, particularly in rural areas. Partnerships with traditional healers in Uganda and Rwanda have enhanced early identification and referral. Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Common issues include a severe shortage of mental health professionals, inadequate budget allocation, limited access to services in rural areas, and the need for comprehensive policy frameworks that continue to stall the desired goals. Urban-centric services in Nigeria, financial constraints in Tanzania, and resource limitations in Ethiopia and Rwanda have hindered equitable access. While public-private partnerships and technological innovations are emerging, the dominance of institutionalized care in several regions limits community outreach. To chart the path forward, improving mental health services in Sub-Saharan Africa requires increased funding, expanded training programs for mental health professionals, and incorporation of mental health into basic healthcare systems. Utilizing technology such as telemedicine and mobile health applications holds promise for overcoming geographical barriers and supporting ongoing education. Community-based models and advocacy efforts are essential for reducing stigma, promoting sustainable mental healthcare, and enhancing the overall well-being of citizens insub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, has introduced a challenging era characterized by the persistent emergence of subvariants. Even after the World Health Organization announced the end of the pandemic, the virus continues to evolve, posing significant challenges to public health responses. This comprehensive review examines the multifaceted impacts of these subvariants, emphasizing their significance across diverse dimensions. SARS-CoV-2 has genetic variability, especially at the spike protein region, which has given rise to Variants of Concern, including Beta, Delta, Gamma, Alpha, and the highly mutable Omicron, which differently exhibit varying levels of immune evasion, disease severity, and transmissibility. Subvariants within the Omicron lineage, including BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, and others, further complicate the landscape with distinct genetic signatures and varying infectivity levels. The impacts extend to diagnostic techniques, treatment strategies, and vaccine effectiveness, underscoring the need for a comprehensive public health response emphasizing preventive measures, genomic surveillance, and vaccination campaigns. Sustaining these interventions is critical, necessitating long-term strategies considering socio-political factors, community involvement, continuous adaptation of healthcare approaches, robust monitoring, and sustainable public health interventions to effectively combat the virus's ever-changing landscape.

Global efforts to combat epidemic cholera outbreaks have witnessed tremendous feats over the decades. However, sporadic outbreaks in regions, particularly across African states, mask these advancements. This regressive trend is frequently fuelled by factors retarding efforts towards optimal environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, which include ingesting infected food, drinking contaminated waters, and engaging in unhealthy environmental practices such as indiscriminate waste and sewage disposal and poor toilet practices. The ongoing efforts to achieve the Global Taskforce on Cholera Control (GTFCC) targets of a 90% reduction in cases and deaths by 2030, even in the wake of continuous outbreaks across various African regions, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) face a significant threat. One such effort, among others, is the AFRICHOL project, an enhanced cholera surveillance consortium launched in Africa over a decade ago as part of the GTFCC at WHO to monitor and fast-track the GTFCC's 2030 targets. It is tasked with supporting the implementation of research-based strategies for combating cholera in Africa. The prequalified oral cholera vaccines - Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol - and those with recombinant DNA technology have also emerged as remarkable strides. In the face of this progress, challenges persist. Climate change, including extreme weather events and the lack of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, acts as a multiplier, amplifying existing challenges and hindering progress. Porous borders with inefficient disease surveillance networks among member states also facilitate the inter-territorial spread of the disease. Despite ongoing challenges, global targets are achievable provided strong institutional infrastructure and additional evidence-based public health initiatives are promulgated and enacted. The Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera Outbreaks by 2030 is a resourceful tool for advancing this fight and eradicating cholera.