We must be grateful to our health workers

Several theories have been postulated to explain why the number of Covid-19 deaths have been low in Africa compared to other parts of the world.

There has been suggestions that viruses cannot survive for a long time in the tropics because of the warm climate. It has also been claimed that their previous exposure to other coronavirus infections may have helped to develop resistance to Covid-19.

Other scholars are pursuing the line of thinking that Africans have a genetic predisposition that kept Covid-19 at bay.

In another paper, scientists suggested that populations in countries that have conducted mass immunisation against tuberculosis (TB) show resistance to Covid-19.

These are scientific views that need further research and validation. However, we need to thank our healthcare givers, who continue to carry out a critical role in keeping Covid-19 infections low, hence low mortality and morbidity rates.

Our health workers have used innovative ways, especially in ICU that helped Covid-19 patients to recover. Use of drugs, three of which stand out, proved effective.

Remdesivir, dexomethosone and hydrocortisone, in combination with high-flow oxygen system or use of tight face masks that ensured consistent oxygen flow into lungs, were quite helpful techniques.

Low blood pressure

The fast flow of information and communication across ICU physicians, nurses and other stakeholders was critical in adjusting available treatments. Use of proning — where a patient lies on their front rather than on their back, as long as they do not have low blood pressure — was found effective as an alternative in making lungs more expandable and allow more oxygen flow.

ICU patients were asked to self-prone and these effective ways of ensuring lungs were well ventilated avoided use of ventilators, which are invasive and were associated with low recovery levels.

Reports in the journal Anaesthesia say innovative use of drugs, rapid communication among physicians across the globe as well as use of non-invasive ventilation techniques helped to reduce ICU Covid-19 deaths from 50 per cent in March to 40 per cent.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering ICU facilities that do not allow for recirculation of air and rapid Covid-19 testing and isolation also contributed to reduced Covid-19 deaths.

We should, nonetheless, remain grateful to our healthcare workers for providing frontline defence against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Memories of the medical personnel who lost their lives as they fought to protect the rest of us will forever be embedded in our history as the greatest heroes and heroines of our generation.

Dr P.M. Mutua, immunologist, Makueni