In the East African country of Eritrea, the shadows of mental health challenges often go unnoticed. This article highlights the experiences of Eritreans, their access to mental health services, the importance of education and its effect on the country’s economy.
Mental health includes an individual’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how an individual thinks, feels and acts. It can also affect how we handle stress, make health decisions and relate to others. It can affect a person’s physical health. For example, depression increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Similarly, chronic conditions can increase the risk of mental illness. Mental health disorders refer to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. A mental health concern becomes a mental health illness when it affects your ability to function, and symptoms become frequent stressors in daily life. In most cases, treatment can be either medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Background
In 2022, the people of Eritrea continued to experience the impact of weak socioeconomic conditions, low food production, a decline in family remittances due to economic sanctions and a depletion of groundwater levels, affecting access to potable water. Additionally, mental health problems are rising in Eritrea, with mental illnesses among the leading causes of disability, comorbidity and mortality. In 2015, there were an estimated 219,549 cases of depressive disorders (4.3% of the population) and 156,599 cases of anxiety disorders (3.1% of the population) with other common conditions, including schizophrenia, neuroticism, stress and mood disorders, epilepsy and dementia. Approximately 30-40,000 children are estimated to have intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, childhood intellectual disability and childhood neurological origin.
Regarding the treatment and services for mental health patients, Eritrea has a small network of mental health facilities, the main being Saint Mary’s Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, located in Asmara. This provides inpatient care and long-stay residential services for individuals with mental disorders. A second community residential care facility serves those with relatively stable and chronic mental disorders not requiring intensive medical interventions.
Eritrea also has a long-standing commitment to social justice, accessibility, and the right to health care, with a range of medicines, including antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, available free of charge. However, despite being free of charge, many children and adolescents drop out of school due to mental health issues.
Mental Health Support in the Education System
The introduction of mental health and psychosocial support into the education system could aid the stress of mental illness in Eritrea and help keep children in school. In 2022, the Eritrean Government reported that around 300,000 children and adolescents aged 6-17 were out of school. During humanitarian emergencies, child mental health can be affected in several ways, including exacerbating existing mental health issues, reducing educational participation and worsening educational outcomes. As a result, mental health issues combined with low academic attainment can result in low lifetime earnings. This can not only affect individuals but can also affect Eritrea’s economy.
UNICEF completed a global cost-benefit analysis and found that the impact of failing to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of 10-17-year-old children affected by humanitarian emergencies would result in the equivalent loss of a global US$203 billion loss of potential lifetime earnings.
In Eritrea, there is a high urban-rural distribution disparity of mental health workers and services, with the majority located within urban areas. Patients in rural areas have reduced accessibility to services. Spreading mental health work throughout schools in both rural and urban areas could help to reduce this disparity and align with Eritrea’s long-standing commitment to social justice, accessibility and the right to health care. Introducing mental health support into the education system could inspire a new generation of psychiatrists and mental health support workers in Eritrea.
Currently, the country only has one psychiatrist. Comparing this number with the United Kingdom, which has 13,170 psychiatrists per 67.33 million people, Eritrea should have around 708 psychiatrists for its population of 3.62 million. Eritrea does have an initiative to send doctors and medical professionals abroad to train as psychiatrists, which should help to grow the country’s mental health support network.
In January 2021, the Eritrean Minister of Health, Honorable Amina Nurhussien, launched a four-year health sector strategic development plan for 2022-2026. This development plan would include essential tools to help guide the country towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This plan should allow all who need it to access mental health support and treatment. Eritrea has made remarkable progress in health care since 1991, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) health care targets, and shows great promise in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by 2030.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Eritrea is making significant efforts towards improving mental health support. However, introducing it into the education system could enhance it further. Allowing children and young adults to learn about mental health in a school setting could provide them with an interest in a career in mental health support and provide Eritrea with a new generation of psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health support workers.
– Charlotte Campion
Photo: Flickr
Nigeria Invests $5 Billion Annually Towards Poverty Reduction
The Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund was approved by the FEC and unveiled by Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu. The fund will be realized through the collaboration of public and private sectors, as well as philanthropic organizations and individuals.
“This, of course, is a victory for the poor and indeed would bring help and succor, which the Renewed Hope Agenda stands for,” Minister Betta Edu stated in Vanguard News.
Background
According to the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics, it is estimated that approximately 63% of the population suffers from poverty. Moreover, more than half of the population does not have basic access to housing, health care, food, and clean energy. Of those affected by poverty, approximately 51% are children — two-thirds of children in Nigeria are victims of inadequate living conditions.
In response to concerns about these living conditions, Nigeria announced the Renewed Hope Agenda on October 17, where President Tinubu outlined the nation’s new strategies in poverty reduction. These include government restructures that will make poverty reduction a key focal point in order to provide effective implementations without the hindrance of government corruption. Furthermore, the government announced collaborations with private sector groups, such as the World Bank, to provide zero-interest financial support to the state’s national social safety net expansion program, which will deliver aid to vulnerable Nigerians. The recently announced Renewed Hope Agenda will act as a seven-year plan to aggressively address humanitarian crises and poverty in the country.
Expected Outcomes
With increased funding, the Nigerian government will be able to deliver new shelters to impoverished households, refugees and those suffering from disabilities. The agenda will deliver school meals to 10 million children across the nation, while also providing education to children who have previously been unable to access it.
The government will also be funding agricultural developments on 500,000 hectares of land, as well as providing farmers with 225,000 metric tons of fertilizers, in an effort to tackle food shortages. To strengthen the economy, the agenda will deliver support to an estimated 2 million beneficiaries in Nigeria through business grants.
With the combined annual dedication of $5 billion as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is taking an aggressive and direct approach toward implementing poverty reduction. By working with private sectors and charity organizations to support these new, ambitious policies, the Nigerian government hopes to propel the nation into economic stability and improve the lives of many Nigerians who face the obstacles posed by poverty on a daily basis.
Final Thoughts
“Our objective is to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. Yet, this will only be possible with the cooperation of the people we seek to help. Let us continue to work together to achieve our collective goal of eradicating poverty in Nigeria,” said President Tinubu in his address to the nation.
– Remigius Kim
Photo: Pixabay
Using the Education System to Support Mental Health in Eritrea
Mental health includes an individual’s emotional, psychological and social well-being. It affects how an individual thinks, feels and acts. It can also affect how we handle stress, make health decisions and relate to others. It can affect a person’s physical health. For example, depression increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Similarly, chronic conditions can increase the risk of mental illness. Mental health disorders refer to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. A mental health concern becomes a mental health illness when it affects your ability to function, and symptoms become frequent stressors in daily life. In most cases, treatment can be either medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.
Background
In 2022, the people of Eritrea continued to experience the impact of weak socioeconomic conditions, low food production, a decline in family remittances due to economic sanctions and a depletion of groundwater levels, affecting access to potable water. Additionally, mental health problems are rising in Eritrea, with mental illnesses among the leading causes of disability, comorbidity and mortality. In 2015, there were an estimated 219,549 cases of depressive disorders (4.3% of the population) and 156,599 cases of anxiety disorders (3.1% of the population) with other common conditions, including schizophrenia, neuroticism, stress and mood disorders, epilepsy and dementia. Approximately 30-40,000 children are estimated to have intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, childhood intellectual disability and childhood neurological origin.
Regarding the treatment and services for mental health patients, Eritrea has a small network of mental health facilities, the main being Saint Mary’s Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, located in Asmara. This provides inpatient care and long-stay residential services for individuals with mental disorders. A second community residential care facility serves those with relatively stable and chronic mental disorders not requiring intensive medical interventions.
Eritrea also has a long-standing commitment to social justice, accessibility, and the right to health care, with a range of medicines, including antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, available free of charge. However, despite being free of charge, many children and adolescents drop out of school due to mental health issues.
Mental Health Support in the Education System
The introduction of mental health and psychosocial support into the education system could aid the stress of mental illness in Eritrea and help keep children in school. In 2022, the Eritrean Government reported that around 300,000 children and adolescents aged 6-17 were out of school. During humanitarian emergencies, child mental health can be affected in several ways, including exacerbating existing mental health issues, reducing educational participation and worsening educational outcomes. As a result, mental health issues combined with low academic attainment can result in low lifetime earnings. This can not only affect individuals but can also affect Eritrea’s economy.
UNICEF completed a global cost-benefit analysis and found that the impact of failing to address the mental health and psychosocial support needs of 10-17-year-old children affected by humanitarian emergencies would result in the equivalent loss of a global US$203 billion loss of potential lifetime earnings.
In Eritrea, there is a high urban-rural distribution disparity of mental health workers and services, with the majority located within urban areas. Patients in rural areas have reduced accessibility to services. Spreading mental health work throughout schools in both rural and urban areas could help to reduce this disparity and align with Eritrea’s long-standing commitment to social justice, accessibility and the right to health care. Introducing mental health support into the education system could inspire a new generation of psychiatrists and mental health support workers in Eritrea.
Currently, the country only has one psychiatrist. Comparing this number with the United Kingdom, which has 13,170 psychiatrists per 67.33 million people, Eritrea should have around 708 psychiatrists for its population of 3.62 million. Eritrea does have an initiative to send doctors and medical professionals abroad to train as psychiatrists, which should help to grow the country’s mental health support network.
In January 2021, the Eritrean Minister of Health, Honorable Amina Nurhussien, launched a four-year health sector strategic development plan for 2022-2026. This development plan would include essential tools to help guide the country towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This plan should allow all who need it to access mental health support and treatment. Eritrea has made remarkable progress in health care since 1991, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) health care targets, and shows great promise in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 by 2030.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Eritrea is making significant efforts towards improving mental health support. However, introducing it into the education system could enhance it further. Allowing children and young adults to learn about mental health in a school setting could provide them with an interest in a career in mental health support and provide Eritrea with a new generation of psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health support workers.
– Charlotte Campion
Photo: Flickr
How the Bean Industry in Africa Could Help Reduce Food Insecurity
What is PABRA?
The Pan-African Bean Research Alliance is based in Nairobi, Kenya. The alliance works with members in 30 countries to provide better beans and economic growth within those countries. They believe that their research on beans can:
Food Insecurity in Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa faces an alarming food crisis, with around 146 million people food insecure. The causes of food insecurity in Africa include extreme weather and armed conflict. Food insecurity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which reduced essential food imports to African countries.
Beans are a popular food item across Africa, with approximately 300 million people eating beans. Researchers Ulrike Rippke and Julian Ramirez-Villegas 2016 studied when and where bean farming will become unviable in Africa. They found that if action is not taken, 60% of the land in sub-Saharan Africa will be unviable for bean farming by the end of the 21st century.
Better And Diverse Bean Varieties
PABRA’s efforts to reduce food insecurity in Africa have led to the creation of 650 new bean varieties. These new bean varieties are more resilient and better acclimated to the extreme wet and dry seasons that Sub-Saharan Africa is facing. PABRA’s beans use less water than other beans.
The newly developed beans also double productivity. The director of PABRA says that in Ethiopia, there is a shorter harvest time for PABRA’s beans. Therefore, you can harvest the beans and sell them before other crops. Additionally, the beans provide diversity and a more comprehensive range of crops that can be grown by farmers. Through diversity and high resilience, farms can better withstand the shock in the cropping system.
Economic Benefits Of Better Bean Crops
Bean crops are a valuable income source for at least 37 million farmers across the African continent. PABRA reports that there has been a 30% income increase in more than 5 million households due to their beans. From 2003 to 2021, with PABRA’s improved bean varieties, farmers in Zimbabwe saw $500–$800 income gains per hectare under rain conditions and $1,000 per hectare for irrigated plots. For further poverty reduction, PABRA found that households using their beans are 6% more likely to be food secure. The likelihood of being poor also decreased by 6%, according to PABRA’s 2022 report.
Concluding Remarks
The Pan-African Bean Research Alliance’s efforts towards bean development are one of the many ongoing projects to reduce food insecurity in Africa. The diverse bean varieties provide new sources of income and food for consumption to approximately 30 countries and millions of people.
– Komalpreet Kaur
Photo: Wikimedia
How the IAEA Is Changing Cancer Care in Benin
World Bank
In April of 2022, the World Bank allocated nearly $200 million dedicated to improving their health care system. Access to care is a significant issue in Benin and these funds will improve Benin’s ability to care for their citizens. However, the World Bank country manager said there is still much work to be done to create a successful and robust health care system.
Cancer care in Benin is an area in desperate need of improvements. Throughout Benin, around 5,000 people die each year from cancer, and about 7,000 more people are diagnosed with some form of the disease. These numbers are extremely alarming, but luckily, they are being addressed by multiple organizations and the local government.
In 2022, the government in Benin worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop a comprehensive plan to help current and future cancer patients nationwide. The WHO helped provide expertise and insights that will help support the plan that the government is working to implement between 2023 and 2027.
Rays of Hope
As mentioned before, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also been a driving force in improving cancer care in Benin. The plan that has been outlined would certainly not be possible without the help of the IAEA. The agency created a program called “Rays of Hope,” which is dedicated to increasing access to radiation care for cancer patients in areas with struggling health care systems. This new initiative is needed to improve cancer care in Benin.
The IAEA has embarked on a unique mission with the “Rays of Hope” program due to its robust nature. The program does not only provide the necessary equipment for radiation care for cancer patients, but it also includes a variety of other services. The IAEA is working to make sure radiation care is put into place safely through training and fighting for legislation that will regulate the use of the new medical treatments. In Benin, they have worked with the local government to use the new equipment to be able to help identify cancer in patients early on and, as a result, hopefully decrease the number of cancer deaths per year throughout the country.
Final Thoughts
Cancer care in Benin will continue to improve drastically because of the “Rays of Hope” program. The IAEA has stated that they are working hard to increase their impact throughout the world and increase access to radiation. They hope to find new groups and organizations to help them move their new program forward.
– Dylan Lyons
Photo: Flickr
How Gentrification Exacerbates Poverty
Some argue that there are positive effects originating from gentrification. For example, as a more affluent demographic begins to infiltrate an area, crime rates tend to decrease, and homeowners can benefit from higher property values. As the increasingly wealthy move to an area, consumption will also typically increase, which benefits local businesses and generates additional job opportunities. Investment increases, due to increased construction of modern homes and large boulevards. Rapid development may occur as a result of increased investment, generating success for any given area, which is typically construed as a net positive for society. Others may argue that this is not the case.
Gentrification in Developing Nations
Rapid development is highly sought after in any developing country, due to the exponential benefits to be reaped. Investment in capital and infrastructure is a major accelerator to development, typically leading to higher levels of GDP growth. However, the benefits of growth are not reaped equally, and rapid development can often be an opportunity for income and wealth inequality.
In developing nations, where absolute poverty is already a prevalent issue, high levels of inequality and decreasing social mobility can act as a major barrier to poverty reduction. The displacement caused by gentrification can affect an individual’s access to basic necessities such as healthy food, education and health care. For those living on less than a dollar a day, gaining access to these amenities is more important than ever in poverty reduction efforts.
Impacts of Gentrification: Mozambique and Brazil
Mozambique is a nation affected by a type of social polarization or rather a rich-poor divide. This is fortified by the dual socio-spatial structure of some of its regions — for example, Maputo, which is sometimes referred to as a segregated city. This originated in the colonial period in the 16th century, when the colonialists and the colonized were segregated, creating a harsh divide between society.
Socio-spatial patterning in divided areas may sometimes mean that amenities of a city are located at the center, typically surrounding more affluent areas and excluding those with low or no income. This results in the creation of densely concentrated areas of poverty. This social stratification increases the divides between different socioeconomic groups. Restricted opportunities and unbalanced wealth, compounded with reduced social mobility, create a cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Brazil is another area that has been impacted by gentrification. A type of area known as a ‘Favela,’ which translates to ‘slum’. This area is often found in the outskirts of Brazilian cities, more prominently in Rio. Favelas are known for their high-density, compact organization, but can sometimes be described as less than liveable, with conditions in these areas sometimes being dysfunctional and destitute. In this scenario, the increasing popularity of locations such as Rio has meant that many have suffered from displacement, being confronted with rent increases and forced evictions to higher-risk locations.
As a result, many previous residents may find themselves relocated to the outskirts of the city, suffering from worse conditions and less access to basic necessities. Once again, this exacerbates poverty for those already on low incomes, creating a cycle of intergenerational inequality.
Policy as the Solution
Policy is the key to mitigating the negative consequences of gentrification. The main frameworks that could be implemented include managing rent affordability, preventing tenant displacement and strengthening participation from residents in general society. Gentrification can be a net positive when taking place under the correct conditions — that is, while ensuring that society’s most vulnerable are protected. To prevent the creation of wide inequality gaps, policy should aim to ensure economic equality of all residents, thus ensuring that low-income residents do not suffer and ultimately slip into poverty.
– Hannah Bugeja
Photo: Flickr
Satellite Imagery, AI and Poverty Reduction
In a world where poverty is a constant challenge, two key technologies are joining forces to revolutionize the approach to this global problem: artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery. This powerful combination provides governments, organizations and policymakers with innovative solutions and knowledge-based insights that can potentially transform the fight against poverty as it is today.
Satellites: Guardians From Above
Satellite photography with detailed views of the Earth’s surface has evolved into an invaluable tool in the fight against poverty. These satellites do more than just take pictures; they collect a significant amount of information about the conditions of the planet. Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in effectively processing this data, revealing patterns and trends that used to be hidden. In addition, the satellites provide a real-time window into impoverished areas. Satellites monitor land use changes, crop health, infrastructure development and even natural disasters. This information is central to understanding the dynamics of poverty in order to make informed decisions.
AI Control of Satellite Data
AI analytics capabilities are key to unlocking the potential of satellite imagery. Machine learning algorithms can analyze significant data sets with unprecedented speed, identify trends related to poverty and help predict future developments. This synergy between artificial intelligence and satellite images opens up possibilities in the fight against poverty.
Satellites’ and AI’s Applications in the Fight Against Poverty
Real-World Application of Satellites & AI in Africa
Stanford researchers have developed an innovative tool that combines satellite imagery and artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate poverty levels across African villages. By analyzing both nighttime and daytime satellite images, the tool identifies indicators of development, such as lights at night and human infrastructure during the day. Deep learning algorithms create an asset wealth index, a common measure of household wealth, based on these characteristics. Tested on around 20,000 African villages, the tool accurately gauges poverty levels over different time periods.
This technology has substantial potential to combat poverty in Africa by providing valuable economic data at local and broad scales. It facilitates improved targeting of anti-poverty programs, aids in product distribution by NGOs and supports market growth analysis for businesses. The democratization of this technology, with publicly available satellite imagery, makes it accessible for widespread use. By addressing the challenge of measuring economic progress and poverty interventions, this tool contributes to enhancing the well-being of impoverished populations in Africa.
As the world continues to improve and expand the use of artificial intelligence and satellite imagery, the fight against global poverty will become a powerful ally. With clear data and innovative solutions, these technologies can significantly reduce poverty and offer hope for a more equitable world.
– Suhani Bhattad
Photo: Flickr
How Cybercrime in South Africa Exacerbates Poverty
How Cybercrime Impacts the Economy and Most Vulnerable
One of the most severe impacts of cybercrime is the negative effect it has on a nation’s economy. Attackers tend to target developing countries, which struggle with unemployment and generally lack defined cybersecurity infrastructure. For example, a 2023 report by Statistics South Africa determined the official unemployment rate to be 32.6%, which is the highest in the world.
The unemployed are both vulnerable to scams and sometimes willing to participate in them to make ends meet. These scams can range from job access to financial services such as banking and the poor sometimes see such methods as ways to make easy money. As a result of the cybercrime in South Africa, fears about fraud can prevent people from taking advantage of online services. For example, online classes or courses are a great way for the poor to access education; however, the potential for cybercrime hinders the ability for them to help reduce poverty.
Solutions
To rectify this worsening situation, several actions are occurring to fight cybercrime in South Africa. For example, INTERPOL worked with AFRIPOL to launch a four-month Africa Cyber Surge II operation in April 2023, which was successful in identifying 14 cybercriminals and more than 20,000 cyber networks. Across the 25 participating countries, there was an estimated loss of $40 million due to these networks. Trend Micro, a private cybersecurity company, also contributed to the INTERPOL operation, assisting in uncovering malicious infrastructure and providing a great example of a positive public-private partnership. This operation was only the start of positive solutions to cybercrime in South Africa.
The government has also taken the help of U.S.-based organizations like the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), working to build solutions that protect against digital threats. South African representatives met with U.S. cybersecurity companies in 2020, working on a reverse trade mission that used American innovation to help strengthen South Africa’s online defenses.
Future Steps
There are several crucial steps that are occurring to continue South Africa’s progress. To start, investing in cybersecurity education can be a critical part of stopping major cybercrime for good. In particular, focusing on vulnerable groups like the poor would allow them to recognize and protect themselves against attacks. Improving the education system would also empower individuals to escape poverty, working toward South Africa’s sustainable development goal to eradicate extreme poverty. One example of such an effort is the creation of the Absa Cybersecurity Academy, which helps marginalized youths gain cybersecurity certification. Not only does this provide a wealth of opportunities to the poor, but it can also ensure that people can better deal with cyber attacks.
Strengthening law enforcement can also help take quick action against cybercrime in South Africa. Data indicates that a high proportion of cyberattack victims choose to pay ransoms to regain access to files rather than using other methods like backups to restore their information. Better law enforcement can help victims explore other options and potentially find and arrest cybercriminals before they can orchestrate multiple attacks. The government has already started to take action, such as with the Cybercrimes Act of 2019, which criminalized several cyber offenses and regulated cybercrime jurisdiction. Additionally, improved systems for reporting and tracking cybercrime can expedite the law enforcement process.
Looking Ahead
As developing countries continue to digitize, cybercrime will continue to be a major threat to general populations — especially the poor. The best way to protect South Africa and other nations’ people is to keep working on solutions through international collaboration and cooperation. The progress that South Africa is making is a great example of how governments and multiple organizations can come together to tackle cybercrime, protecting the poor for generations to come.
– Namit Agrawal
Photo: Unsplash
3 Factors Improving Health Care in Togo
While Togo has been struggling with their health care, they are beginning to improve their health care system. The methods that are in place to improve health care in Togo are training for health care professionals, spreading qualified health care workers to public clinics and the integration of a universal health care system.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the World Bank, is supporting the country by implementing solutions to its health care crisis. The World Health Organization is supplying 14 training schools for paramedical personnel with teaching, computers with videoconferencing materials, and 600 midwives and nurses who have recently trained in infection prevention. The World Health Organization has used its Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) funds to ensure the supply of equipment to training centers. This equipment will provide continuous training and face-to-face and teleconferences available to health care workers in the country. They will also contribute to updating the curriculum for health workers and increase the capacity of training centers. The World Health Organization is putting effort towards training personnel and updating training facilities to begin improving health care in Togo.
Integrate Health
Integrate Health uses a primary health care approach to improve the national health care system in Togo. One of the first ways Integrate Health is improving health care in Togo is by integrating professional health workers. As Togo only has 347 practicing doctors in the country, they rely on other sources to get more health care workers. Community Health Workers are many people’s first point of contact with the health system. These workers go door to door with personal protective equipment and supplies to provide lifesaving care. These workers train to administer treatment for children with respiratory infections, malaria and malnutrition. They also screen newborns and pregnant mothers. Workers also refer patients to health centers for advanced care when necessary. There are currently 200 community health workers in Togo.
Integrate Health is also pursuing improvements in the supply chain and infrastructure within Togo. Medications are commonly not in stock and are hard to get because health centers are outdated. To combat this, Integrate Health is overseeing improvements like building water towers, bolstering infrastructure, training pharmacy managers in equipment, ordering medication and managing medical supplies. With improvements in these areas, health care professionals will be better equipped to help patients, which will build trust. Currently, the renovations have fixed 17 health centers, and 28 supply chain managers have received training.
Another step Integrate Health is taking to begin improving health care in Togo is eliminating user fees. The pay-for-service culture that Togo’s system has cultivated has low user rates, which provides little funds to renovate the systems. Removing these fees will increase user rates in health care systems. To do this, Integrate Health provides monthly operating grants to the health centers to cover the cost of the services incurred. They also have people donating funds to invest in the costs covered by the pay-for-service fees.
Universal Health Care Systems
Recent legislation has established the creation of a universal health system (l’assurance maladie universelle – AMU). The government plans to have this plan completely rolled out by 2025, which would cover all residents. The system would have two tiers: the public and private sector employees (RAMO) and the individuals on public assistance (RAM). Under RAMO, employees would enroll at the beginning of their employment with coverage that extends to children and spouses. Coverage for RAM would be provided directly by government revenue. While this has yet to be rolled out, this will be a step towards fleshing out Togo’s health care system and giving people access to the care they need.
Conclusion
Although Togo has encountered significant difficulties in its health care sector, the nation is committed to creating positive change within its health care system. A multifaceted approach is achieving these goals.
One pivotal aspect of this transformation is the extensive training and development programs for health care professionals. By investing in the education and skill enhancement of its health care workforce, the country aims to ensure that its medical practitioners are equipped with the latest knowledge and expertise, thereby improving health care in Togo.
Furthermore, Togo recognizes the importance of extending the reach of qualified health care workers to public clinics. By decentralizing health care services and ensuring that well-trained professionals are available in various regions, the country aims to enhance accessibility to health care services, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This initiative is improving health care in Togo.
– Sara Agosto
Photo: Flickr
3 Pharma Innovations Benefiting Developing Countries
Preventable diseases continue to be a significant cause of death in developing nations, despite ongoing efforts to combat them. Frequently, these diseases spread due to poor living conditions rather than a lack of available treatments, often resulting from factors such as unsafe drinking water or inadequate sanitation. While treatments for many of these diseases do exist, there are several existing challenges. Some treatments are prohibitively expensive for low-income countries, many struggle with distribution due to poor infrastructure, and others have adverse side effects.
Developing medications and improving infrastructure in low-income countries have not been top priorities for many pharmaceutical companies because of limited profit margins. Nevertheless, there have been notable advancements in pharmaceutical innovations that are now benefiting developing nations. These innovations show promise in addressing these health challenges.
3 Pharma Innovations Benefiting Developing Countries
– Cheyenne Astarita
Photo: Flickr
J&J Paves the Way for Affordable Tuberculosis Treatment
On September 29, 2023, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced that it would not enforce patents in 134 low- and middle-income countries for Sirturo — its brand name for bedaquiline tuberculosis treatment. This change is an exciting step toward providing generic, affordable tuberculosis treatment to people who desperately need it.
Patents and Medication Prices
Patents can keep the cost of life-saving medications out of reach for many – especially those in poverty. So why do medications have patents? Pharmaceutical companies must undergo a rigorous testing process through the FDA to ensure the drugs are safe enough to go on the market. They obtain a patent to protect their research, which the FDA requires before approval. Once this patent is obtained, pharmaceutical companies must undergo a five-step process:
More than 90% of drugs do not make the cut — most fail because they either do not adequately treat the condition or because they cause side effects that are too debilitating.
It takes about 10 years for a new drug to complete the five-step process toward FDA approval, costing an estimated $2.6 billion. Considering that 90% of medications are not approved, pharmaceutical companies try to recoup their investment by passing that cost onto consumers. Innovation of new medications used to be the goal of pharmaceutical companies, but with the increased costs of research and development, they shifted their focus from innovating new medications to capitalizing on existing medications. Over the past five years alone, the average cost of medications has increased by more than 71%.
Rising Costs of Medications
Patents prevent the development of generic alternatives to medications. When pharmaceutical companies shifted their focus toward capitalizing on existing medications, they started proactively renewing drug patents to ensure generic alternatives could not be developed. Without competition on patented medications and no federal oversight on drug prices, pharmaceutical companies can set the price of life-saving medications as they see fit.
This decision is particularly devastating for developing countries. Even when generic alternatives are available, research has found that developing and poverty-stricken countries often pay more than others.
“Developing countries are often paying far more for everyday drugs than they should be. Why do some poor countries pay 20 to 30 times as much as others for common medicines to relieve pain or treat hypertension? In large part, because of flawed drug buying practices and broken generic medicines markets,” said Amanda Glassman, the executive vice president at the Center for Global Development.
Without generic medications, affordable health care is out of reach for developing countries, and people are paying the price for their health. Even when generic medications are available, there is little regulation of prices.
Tuberculosis and Poverty
Poverty is a huge determinant of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis risk factors are rampant in the poorest communities: overcrowding, malnutrition, inadequate ventilation and limited general health and disease prevention knowledge.
Given the prevalence of tuberculosis risk factors in poverty-stricken communities, the need for generic tuberculosis medications is a lifeline most vulnerable communities need now more than ever. This need is why Johnson and Johnson’s announcement that they will not enforce patents on their patented TB medication is a step in the right direction. The hope is that this will pave the way for affordable tuberculosis treatment by allowing the development of generic, more affordable alternative drugs.
“The decision is intended to assure current and future generic manufacturers that they may manufacture and sell high-quality generic versions of Sirturo without a concern that the company will enforce its bedaquiline patents, provided the generic versions of Sirturo produced or supplied by generic manufacturers are of good quality, medically acceptable and are used only in the 134 low- and middle-income countries,” J&J said.
– Ann-Jinette Hess
Photo: Flickr