SJD1501
Assignment 6
Name:
Student Number:
1.What would you say to those who believe Africa lacks expertise in responding
to pandemics?
As per the article the following proactive steps were being utilized:
In response to the article, it clearly advises that African businesses need to understand
the direct and indirect impact of the virus with regards to their operations, extended
supply chains so that they may protect their employees, understand the impact of their
production and supply and consider the changing landscape. The article also highlights
an important fact of misinformation.
Strategy:
Businesses need to strategize in accordance with the pandemic to minimize the impact
that it may have on their operations. The slow down of the economy will definitely
impact the liquidity and working capital of the business. Its is thus extremely important
for businesses to revisit their funding and credit strategies to avoid major issues.
Production:
Many businesses are being affected by the supply shortage of imports from Chine etc.
Businesses need to re-look at their inventory and identify alternate supply chains. Local
businesses have seen an increase in demand due to import restrictions which is great
for the current economy.
Transport and Logistics
Due to the imports from China being slowed down, the ripple effect has been felt in
South Africa. Also with local transportation restrictions, profitability of local businesses
are impacted.
Sales:
There has been an increase in the demand of pharmaceuticals since the pandemic.
People are also panic buying. This must be proactively managed so that there is no
impact on of supply.
Mobility:
Businesses need to re-visit their emergency strategies and perhaps come up with
committees to assist. Flexible working hours and access to systems should be made
available.
The article further sets out scenarios that businesses need to consider.
Deloitte highlights an early intervention plan as well as their view point:
, 1. Early intervention: Assess organizational exposure and the effects that other
countries had. A review of our crisis plan, preparing for a proportional response,
monitor global travel policies.
2. Communicate: Communication with employees is the key, engage with alternate
supply chains, remain in contact with key stakeholders.
3. Plan, Monitor and review: Get updated advise and information, no plan of action
should be set in stone, it needs to updated and revisited.
This is how Africa responded:
“In 2019, the Global Health Security Index ranked countries according to their
preparedness for pandemics. The United States was identified as the most prepared
country, while most African countries were deemed to be least capable of dealing with
any new health threat.”[1] It was also predicted that Africa would have 10 million covid
related deaths. Many reasons were given for this prediction. Africa was believed to be
disadvantaged due to poverty, lack of infrastructure, vulnerable social groups with no or
little access to clean water, and cannot self-isolate if they live in crowded slums as well
as limited resources.
Drawing experience from the 2014 Ebola virus disease crisis in West Africa, African
leaders were keenly aware that failure to contain COVID-19 would threaten health,
prosperity, and security.[2] So how exactly did Africa plan to fight this pandemic? Mr
John Nkengasong , the director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,
a virologist said that they watched with total fright and awe what happened in Europe,
thus Africa was on high alert.
Before a single confirmed case of Covid-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Nkengasong
convened an emergency two-day meeting of health ministers in Addis Ababa. “I have
never been this serious in my life,” he said. “They came from Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria,
South Africa. Everybody was there.” Not long after, Cyril Ramaphosa, president of
South Africa and chairman of the African Union, began organising weekly video
conferences to co-ordinate Africa’s response. “I don’t know any continent that rallied
that quickly,” recalls Mr Nkengasong. [3]All international flights were cancelled, boarded
closed and people were told to stay in doors. South Africa took a bold step prior to any
covid related deaths, by announcing a three week lockdown. Countries from Senegal to
Uganda closed schools, churches mosques, and banned mass gatherings. Ethiopia
tried a low-tech response. Kenya imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. [4]. In Rwanda, hand
washing stations were provided at public places, testing and isolation was provided for
free.
In answering the question as to whether Africa lacks expertise in responding to a
pandemic, I would firmly say no. In a short period of time, all of the above was done.
Africa rallied together. With reference to the article we already also had sound advise of
the necessary steps that should be taken into account. Faced with a public-health
emergency of unprecedented scale, Africa has demonstrated solidarity and collective
leadership in acting quickly.[5] I believe that we learnt from the mistakes of other
countries and also our failure to handle the Ebola virus. Had these measures not been
in place, our death toll would have been cataphoric. No country would ever get it a
Assignment 6
Name:
Student Number:
1.What would you say to those who believe Africa lacks expertise in responding
to pandemics?
As per the article the following proactive steps were being utilized:
In response to the article, it clearly advises that African businesses need to understand
the direct and indirect impact of the virus with regards to their operations, extended
supply chains so that they may protect their employees, understand the impact of their
production and supply and consider the changing landscape. The article also highlights
an important fact of misinformation.
Strategy:
Businesses need to strategize in accordance with the pandemic to minimize the impact
that it may have on their operations. The slow down of the economy will definitely
impact the liquidity and working capital of the business. Its is thus extremely important
for businesses to revisit their funding and credit strategies to avoid major issues.
Production:
Many businesses are being affected by the supply shortage of imports from Chine etc.
Businesses need to re-look at their inventory and identify alternate supply chains. Local
businesses have seen an increase in demand due to import restrictions which is great
for the current economy.
Transport and Logistics
Due to the imports from China being slowed down, the ripple effect has been felt in
South Africa. Also with local transportation restrictions, profitability of local businesses
are impacted.
Sales:
There has been an increase in the demand of pharmaceuticals since the pandemic.
People are also panic buying. This must be proactively managed so that there is no
impact on of supply.
Mobility:
Businesses need to re-visit their emergency strategies and perhaps come up with
committees to assist. Flexible working hours and access to systems should be made
available.
The article further sets out scenarios that businesses need to consider.
Deloitte highlights an early intervention plan as well as their view point:
, 1. Early intervention: Assess organizational exposure and the effects that other
countries had. A review of our crisis plan, preparing for a proportional response,
monitor global travel policies.
2. Communicate: Communication with employees is the key, engage with alternate
supply chains, remain in contact with key stakeholders.
3. Plan, Monitor and review: Get updated advise and information, no plan of action
should be set in stone, it needs to updated and revisited.
This is how Africa responded:
“In 2019, the Global Health Security Index ranked countries according to their
preparedness for pandemics. The United States was identified as the most prepared
country, while most African countries were deemed to be least capable of dealing with
any new health threat.”[1] It was also predicted that Africa would have 10 million covid
related deaths. Many reasons were given for this prediction. Africa was believed to be
disadvantaged due to poverty, lack of infrastructure, vulnerable social groups with no or
little access to clean water, and cannot self-isolate if they live in crowded slums as well
as limited resources.
Drawing experience from the 2014 Ebola virus disease crisis in West Africa, African
leaders were keenly aware that failure to contain COVID-19 would threaten health,
prosperity, and security.[2] So how exactly did Africa plan to fight this pandemic? Mr
John Nkengasong , the director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention,
a virologist said that they watched with total fright and awe what happened in Europe,
thus Africa was on high alert.
Before a single confirmed case of Covid-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Nkengasong
convened an emergency two-day meeting of health ministers in Addis Ababa. “I have
never been this serious in my life,” he said. “They came from Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria,
South Africa. Everybody was there.” Not long after, Cyril Ramaphosa, president of
South Africa and chairman of the African Union, began organising weekly video
conferences to co-ordinate Africa’s response. “I don’t know any continent that rallied
that quickly,” recalls Mr Nkengasong. [3]All international flights were cancelled, boarded
closed and people were told to stay in doors. South Africa took a bold step prior to any
covid related deaths, by announcing a three week lockdown. Countries from Senegal to
Uganda closed schools, churches mosques, and banned mass gatherings. Ethiopia
tried a low-tech response. Kenya imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. [4]. In Rwanda, hand
washing stations were provided at public places, testing and isolation was provided for
free.
In answering the question as to whether Africa lacks expertise in responding to a
pandemic, I would firmly say no. In a short period of time, all of the above was done.
Africa rallied together. With reference to the article we already also had sound advise of
the necessary steps that should be taken into account. Faced with a public-health
emergency of unprecedented scale, Africa has demonstrated solidarity and collective
leadership in acting quickly.[5] I believe that we learnt from the mistakes of other
countries and also our failure to handle the Ebola virus. Had these measures not been
in place, our death toll would have been cataphoric. No country would ever get it a
