UKZN student chairs African Youth Response to Covid-19
Narain`s appointment is based on research and leadership experience.
UKZN final year medical student, Mr Kapil Narain (24), has been appointed the Chair of FAMSA (Federation of African Medical Students Association) Covid-19 Technical Working group (TWG).
This committee comprises members from 15 countries, with equal gender balance, and French and Arab translators to ensure that all countries in Africa can access information generated by this group.
UKZN prepares for return of students and staff to campus
Narain`s appointment is based on research and leadership experience.
As the only South African on the committee, his duties as chair include; planning a coordinated response cognisant of the global and local contexts of the pandemic by leading discussions amongst the committee regarding potential areas of intervention, and ensuring youth are at the forefront of these movements.
“I am honoured to be appointed to this position and I am excited to be working with students throughout various regions in Africa to play a vital part towards combating this pandemic through research, awareness, activism, and art, as well as engaging with various health bodies. Currently, the pandemic has reached the 5 million mark with over 300 000 deaths globally. Whilst the United States currently has the highest cases globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that Africa may be the next epicentre. This is a serious concern noting the fragility of health systems. Now more than ever, we require all hands on deck,” he said.
ALSO READ: UKZN academic warns against use of antibiotics to treat Covid-19 patients
Narain had the privilege of being invited to the Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC) which is responsible for monitoring global public health events at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in November last year.
He also attended the World Health Assembly on Scholarship in May 2019, where he had the opportunity to speak to Director-General Dr Tedros.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
