First Online Scientific Conference Co-Hosted by UKZN

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The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Africa Chapter in partnership with UKZN held the inaugural online Scientific Conference recently, featuring eight keynote speakers and 32 other senior and junior presenters.

Topics on an Environmental Epidemiology theme included indoor and outdoor air pollution, e-waste, climate change, pesticides and chemicals, toxic metals, water and sanitation, and ethics.

Titled: Understanding Africa’s Environmental Health Challenges, a total of 185 delegates and guests participated in the event.

The conference was commissioned by the ISEE Africa Chapter EXCO, led by the Chair, Dr Kwaku Poku Asante, whose report emphasised that potential health challenges suffered in Africa could be associated with environmental difficulties.

Issues involved included air and water pollution, climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, deforestation, desertification, over-exploitation of natural resources, and ocean acidification. With this in mind, Asante called for evidence-based research, requiring the attention of governments and global partners.

Excellence awards were presented to the five highest-ranked emerging researchers: Mr Afua A Amoabeng Nti of the University of Ghana; Ms Michaela Deglon and Ms Lethabo Makgoba, both of the University of Cape Town; Ms Tolulope Olawole of the Covenant University in Nigeria, and Mr Osei Dacosta of the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Ghana.

The organising committee included the Chair, Professor Mohamed Aqiel Dalvie of the University of Cape Town; Dr Sylvia Takyi from the University of Ghana; Professor Rajen Naidoo from UKZN; Dr Lawrencia Kwarteng of the Biomedical and Public Health Research Unit-CSIR, Ghana); Dr Nosiku Munyinda of the University of Zambia; Dr Sokhna Thiam of the African Population Health Research Center (APHRC) in Senegal), and Dr Oyewale Morakinyo of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Image: Supplied