Abstract Background Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), including Ebola, Lassa fever, cholera, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Marburg virus disease, and mpox, continue to pose major global health threats, with sub-Saharan Africa experiencing a disproportionate share of morbidity and mortality. Effective epidemiological surveillance is important for early detection, rapid response, and outbreak preparedness; however, surveillance performance across the region remains inconsistent. Approach This perspective article presents a narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and regional surveillance reports to examine the current epidemiological surveillance landscape in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is organized around key domains influencing surveillance effectiveness, with selected regional and country-level experiences used to illustrate broader systemic patterns. Key themes identified Although notable progress has been made through facility- and event-based surveillance systems, the adoption of digital health tools (including mobile health applications, geographic information systems, and genomic surveillance), and strengthening of regional coordination mechanisms, such as the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response framework, substantial gaps remain. These include persistent underreporting, limited diagnostic and laboratory capacity, inequitable surveillance coverage among rural, nomadic, displaced, and conflict-affected populations, reliance on externally funded vertical programs, and the constraining effects of sociopolitical instability. Lessons from polio eradication initiatives and responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and cholera suggest the importance of community engagement, trust building, interoperable data systems, genomic data sharing, and integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. Conclusions Strengthening epidemiological surveillance in sub-Saharan Africa likely requires sustained regional collaboration, context-appropriate digital innovation, investment in workforce capacity, integration of One Health approaches, and more sustainable domestic and pooled financing mechanisms. More resilient and equitable surveillance systems are essential for improving outbreak preparedness in the region and reinforcing global health security against transboundary and epidemic threats.
Current medical problems are complex and require a new approach. Nanomaterials can address these complications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in particular green-synthetized particles, because of their unique properties have attract the attention of scientist. The objective of this work deals with using Elaeagnus angustifolia (EA) leaf extract as a reducing agent for biofabrication of AgNPs and investigation of its antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. UV–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning-Transmission Electron Microscope (STEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques were used for characterization of the biosynthesized AgNPs. Antimicrobial efficacy was measured through disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods, while cytotoxic effects on PC-3 cancer cells were evaluated using the MTT assay. The biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited a strong surface plasmon resonance peak at approximately 441 nm, confirming successful synthesis. XRD analysis indicated a face-centered cubic structure, with crystallite sizes 27.04 nm. Antibacterial tests revealed significant activity against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, with AgNPs demonstrating comparable efficacy to standard antibiotics. In particular, AgNPs demonstrated successful activity on E. coli with an MIC value of 113.24 ± 14.36 and an inhibition zone of 24.32 ± 1.25 mm, comparable to standard antibiotics Furthermore, the AgNPs displayed notable cytotoxic effects on PC-3 cells, with an IC50 value of 58.77 µg/mL. The results explore the potential of leaf extract of Elaeagnus angustifolia as an effective agent for the green synthesis of AgNPs that have significant antibacterial properties. This study supports the application of green synthesis in medical therapies.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aims to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare without financial hardship. Somalia presents a critical test case for UHC implementation in fragile and conflict-affected settings due to decades of state collapse, weak governance, and heavy reliance on an unregulated private health sector. This commentary examines Somalia's policy paradox: the coexistence of formal commitment to UHC alongside a predominantly market-driven, donor-dependent, and weakly regulated healthcare system. Drawing on evidence from Somalia and comparable low-income settings, the article argues that unregulated privatization structurally undermines equity, financial protection, and quality of care. High out-of-pocket expenditure, fragmented governance, weak regulatory oversight, urban-rural disparities, and donor-driven financing continue to impede progress toward universal and equitable healthcare access. Although private providers remain indispensable in Somalia's current context, market expansion alone cannot achieve UHC without effective state stewardship, pooled financing mechanisms, and robust regulatory institutions. The commentary concludes that Somalia's pathway toward UHC depends on transitioning from an unregulated commercialized health market toward a regulated mixed health system grounded in equity, accountability, and public-sector governance.
This study examines how entrepreneurship education and training and digital transformation contribute to the sustainability of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This study applied a quantitative cross-sectional research design, and data were collected from 160 entrepreneurs who received entrepreneurial training from the SIMAD Innovation-Lab at SIMAD University and the Jamhuriya Incubation Centre (JIC) at Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology. The participants included aspiring young entrepreneurs as well as individuals who were actively engaged in establishing or managing SMEs. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select participants from different cohorts who received entrepreneurship training at different time periods. A structured questionnaire based on validated scales was administered online using Google forms. The responses were analyzed using partial least squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via Smart-PLS software (v.4.1.1.2). The results reveal that both entrepreneurship education and training and digital transformation have statistically significant positive effects on SMEs sustainability. These findings highlight the complementary roles of entrepreneurial competencies and digital capabilities in enhancing SMEs resilience, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability. The findings have practical implications, emphasizing the need for integrated policy initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurship development programs and digital infrastructure.
The rapid emergence and global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance pose a serious threat to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Central to this crisis is the resistome, defined as the collection of all antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) present in pathogenic and non-pathogenic micro-organisms across clinical, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. The environmental resistome plays a crucial role in the evolution and transmission of resistance, serving as both a reservoir and a conduit for ARG exchange through horizontal gene transfer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, diversity, and dynamics of the resistome, with emphasis on the interconnected water-soil-air continuum. Key mechanisms driving resistome dissemination, including mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, integrons, transposons, and bacteriophages, are discussed alongside the major routes of gene transfer, conjugation, transformation, and transduction. The review highlights anthropogenic drivers that intensify resistome expansion, including antibiotic misuse, wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, and exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and disinfectants, which promote co-selection. Advances in resistome profiling approaches, such as quantitative PCR, metagenomics, long-read sequencing, and functional metagenomics, are critically evaluated for their capacity to resolve ARG diversity, mobility, and host associations.
