SOCIO-PHARMACOECONOMIC AND ANTHROPOLOGIC IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN RESOURCE LIMITED COUNTRIES

Estella Achick Tembe-Fokunang, Pascal Kum Awah, Andrew Nyuyki Banin, Dobgima John Fonmboh, Christian Nubia Kaba, Joseph Fokam, Lovet Benyella Fokunang, Ben Enoluomen Ehigiator, Zelinjo N. Igweze, Ralf Duerr, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoua, Sarah Tiskoff and Charles Ntungwen Fokunang*

ABSTRACT

During the early month of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ignited in Wuhan China, the most reported cases and deaths have been reported in high-income countries (HIC) by the middle of 2021. On the other hand, the challenges of lack of and limited access to testing facilities contributed to an underestimation of infections in many low middle-income countries (LMIC), most especially in sub-Saharan Africa. With the increase of global testing and confirmed infection cases, the impact of the pandemic on individuals and communities in LMIC became very evident. This negative impact of COVID-19 in its forms has motivated research in diversified domains to address potential response for the management of the pandemic within the framework of LMIC strategic health plan. with particular references to the transmission patterns of SARS-CoV-2, the clinical characteristics of the disease, and the impact of pandemic prevention and response measures. Sub-Saharan Africa is faced with many setbacks from the pandemic due to the unpreparedness for disasters epidemiology of global magnitude, as created by COVID-19. This paper has been motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic global effect that has permitted us make a review using a multidisciplinary approach. We have taken into consideration the socio, pharmacoeconomic and anthropological impact potential burden of COVID-19 in LMIC countries, faced with limited human resources, funding, or medical supplies from response activities.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, socio-pharmacoeconomic impact, anthropology, global health, epidemiology, vaccine, therapeutics.