Africa Science Focus

This week on Africa Science Focus, we dive into the results of the world’s largest health attitudes survey, the Wellcome Global Monitor. The survey of around 115,000 adults from 113 countries has found that trust in science has increased globally over the past two years – but not in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

 Our reporter Michael Kaloki takes to the streets in rural northern Kenya and in the capital Nairobi to find out how COVID-19 has affected people’s lives and livelihoods. And Obed Ogega from the African Academy of Science tells us how research can help communities ‘build back better’ after COVID-19.

Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki. 

The world has entered the most exciting era in science, says Quarraisha Abdool Karim, a leading AIDS researcher. Despite the world being off track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, South Africa’s Abdool Karim says there are now a wide range of options available for women and men to prevent HIV infection.  

 Abdool Karim tells Africa Science Focus that the COVID-19 and AIDS pandemics have shown that no one is an island. She tells reporter Dhashen Moodley that while differences of opinion are a fundamental part of science, communities need to work together and build trust to beat the biggest health challenges facing the world today.

 Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki. 

 Learn more about Quarraisha Abdool Karim’s career

Pork tapeworms are responsible for between 30 and 70 per cent of epilepsy cases around the world. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of people living with epilepsy can be found in low-income countries, mostly among subsistence farming communities.

While treatments for the neglected tropical disease neurocysticercosis – which is caused by the pork tapeworm and can lead to epilepsy – are available, the medicines can be extremely difficult to access in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

This week on Africa Science Focus, our reporter Michael Kaloki finds out why neuropharmacologist Priscilla Kolibea Mante’s investigations into plant-based treatments for epilepsy, pain, anxiety and depression are so important for the continent. 

 Africa Science Focus, with Halima Athumani. 

 Learn more about Priscilla Kolibea Mante’s career

Taking the stage at a major meeting to look at the way that climate loss and damage is valued at the international climate summit COP26, Ineza Grace delivered a powerful message: climate-vulnerable communities cannot adapt to starvation, and finance for irreparable climate damage is a matter of justice.  

At just 25, Ineza is co-founder of the global Loss and Damage Youth Coalition. She also leads The Green Protector, an organisation that focuses on Rwanda’s sustainable development and environmental education, and acts as a community think-tank. 

An environmental engineer by training, Ineza tells Africa Science Focus that women in Sub-Saharan Africa are heroes who live every day with the growing challenges of the climate crisis.

 Africa Science Focus, with Fiona Broom. 

 Learn more about Ineza Grace

Togo became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate the disfiguring disease elephantiasis as a public health problem in 2017, followed by Malawi in 2020. Elephantiasis occurs when parasites carried by mosquitos are transmitted to people. Infection usually occurs in childhood, and can later cause the abnormal enlargement of body parts.

Despite some progress, the disease is still a major health burden across the continent – about one third of global cases of elephantiasis occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria’s Jackie Badaki has devoted

her career to studying neglected tropical diseases. She tells Africa Science Focus that this dedication meant taking her first baby with her into the field on research trips.

Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki.

Learn more about Jackie Badaki’s career

When Jane Kubai fled forced marriage at the age of 11, she began working as a maid and found support to go to school. She later took a job as a security guard at a hospital in Kenya — and discovered a passion for surgery. Working day and night, Kubai studied to become a theatre technologist. And she has her eyes fixed firmly on becoming a surgeon. 

Recently recognised as a health hero by the Women in Global Health network, Kubai has inspired her former security colleagues to also enrol in training courses. “They’re not supposed to stay where they started, you’re supposed to make a step forward in your life,” she tells reporter Michael Kaloki, as he joins her on a tour of her hospital in Kenya’s Nakuru county. 

Africa Science Focus, with Halima Athumani. 

Learn more about Jane Kubai’s career

Season 2, Episode 8

 Getting stuck deep underground with thousands of years old human remains may not sound like fun to some people, but for explorer and paleoanthropologist Keneiloe Molopyane, it is a dream come true. And, her discoveries in South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind have the potential to change the world.

Molopyane is an underground astronaut, a National Geographic Society emerging explorer, and a diehard Tintin comic fan. This week on Africa Science Focus, we hear how Molopyane is using her science superhero alter ego, Bones, to inspire new generations of adventurers and scientists.

Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki. 

Learn more about Keneiloe Molopyane’s career 

Music from AShamaluevMusic

Tanzania’s first female physician says major advances have been made in health and wellbeing in the 50 years that she has worked in medicine. But, as Esther Mwaikambo tells Africa Science Focus, major challenges persist — particularly around women’s access to healthcare. She says breast cancer remains rampant in Africa, and cultural changes are needed to fully eradicate female genital mutilation. 

And yet, Mwaikambo’s tenacity is slowly paying off: today, there are growing numbers of female medical students at the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University where she teaches. Our reporter Michael Kaloki finds out what’s next for this 81-year-old pioneer, and founder of the Medical Women Association of Tanzania.  

Africa Science Focus, with Halima Athumani. 

 Learn more about Esther Mwaikambo’s career

 ‘Across the Savannah’. Music  promoted by The Free Cat 

Uganda is among the top banana-producing countries in the world, and is home to the much-loved matoke banana — also known as the East African highland banana. But the matoke, along with many of the other banana varieties that are native to Sub-Saharan Africa, is under threat from diseases and pests. 

 This is where Priver Namanya Bwesigye comes in. This week on Africa Science Focus, reporter Halima Athumani finds out how Namanya and her banana research team at the National Agricultural Research Organisation are working to protect Uganda’s bananas, and the vital nutrition that they provide.

Music:

“Adding the Sun” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), License: By  4.0 License, Music promoted by The Free Cat

“By Grace” By Podington Bear, (Inspiring), License: NonCommercial 3.0 International License 

 Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki. 

 Learn more about Priver Namanya Bwesigye’s career

Community health workers are the backbone of many health systems around the world. But, their contributions to public health are rarely recognised, and many go unpaid. Diana Nambatya Nsubuga, from the non-profit Living Goods, is working with governments across Sub-Saharan Africa to build these community heroes into their public health systems. 

Not only is Nsubuga a high-level public health advocate and maternal health specialist, she’s also an award-winning urban farmer who teaches the tricks of the trade at her Integrated Health Kwagala Farm. Nsubuga tells Africa Science Focus reporter Halima Athumani why farming, nutrition, family and public health go hand in hand.

Music:

"Artifact" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed : By 4.0 License, Music promoted by The Free Cat

Africa Science Focus, with Michael Kaloki. 

Learn more about Diana Nambatya Nsubuga’s career