Archive for category: Global Health

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Infectious Diseases in Morocco

Infectious Diseases in Morocco Infectious diseases in Morocco continue to be a major public health concern, especially in areas with limited access to health care and environmental challenges. Nonetheless, Morocco has achieved notable advancements in disease prevention through international partnerships, national health strategies and vaccination campaigns. These initiatives seek to strengthen the country’s health care system, reduce transmission and improve early diagnosis.

Tuberculosis Control Efforts

In Morocco, tuberculosis remains one of the most serious infectious diseases. Vulnerable populations with limited access to health care may be disproportionately affected by the illness, which spreads through airborne bacteria. The disease often affects poorer communities, where limited resources and health care access make prevention and treatment more difficult. This reinforces the importance of targeted public health interventions. Morocco has responded by putting in place a national tuberculosis control program that emphasizes early detection, free treatment and enhanced surveillance systems.

To encourage early testing and treatment, health authorities have increased diagnostic services and launched public awareness campaigns. These programs have helped Morocco reduce transmission in numerous communities and maintain comparatively high treatment success rates.

Addressing Leishmaniasis

Another infectious disease affecting Morocco is leishmaniasis, which spreads through sandflies in rural areas. The most prevalent type of leishmaniasis in the country is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which results in skin lesions. In some areas, outbreaks may occur due to both population movement and environmental factors.

Morocco has strengthened surveillance systems and implemented vector control programs to combat the disease. Public health officials also aim to inform communities about early detection and prevention strategies to reduce the severity and spread of infections.

Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment

Viral hepatitis is also a significant health challenge. Prevention and early diagnosis are crucial because untreated hepatitis B and C infections can result in chronic liver disease. As part of wider national health strategies, Morocco has expanded vaccination coverage and screening programs.

Treatment access and disease monitoring are supported by international partnerships and public health initiatives. Increased awareness and vaccination efforts are helping reduce the long-term impact of hepatitis and strengthen overall disease prevention measures.

Public Health Progress and Prevention

Morocco has shown that consistent public health investment can lower the risks of infectious diseases despite ongoing challenges. After decades of prevention efforts, the country eliminated malaria in 2014, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated national health policies and surveillance programs.

In Morocco, prevention, education and improved access to health care are becoming increasingly important aspects of addressing infectious diseases. The country continues to work toward better public health outcomes and healthier communities through strengthened disease monitoring systems and expanded treatment programs.

– Honey Regev

Honey is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending the Ebola Outbreak in the DRC

Ebola Outbreak in the DRCOn Dec. 1, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Health declared the end of the Ebola outbreak that occurred in Kasai Province. Since 1976, this was the 16th outbreak recorded in the country. The outbreak first occurred in the Bulape Health Zone and was declared on Sept. 4, 2025. A total of 64 cases were reported, with 45 deaths and a case fatality rate of 70.3%.

The urgent national and international response, including surveillance, case management, vaccination and community engagement, achieved successful containment of the disease. The outbreak occurred in a rural, hard-to-reach area with poor roads and limited infrastructure. The response illustrates how effective disease control safeguards vulnerable populations, minimizes economic disruption and supports poverty reduction while strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries. The last Ebola patient was discharged on Oct. 19, 2025, in Bulape, triggering the required 42-day countdown before officially declaring the outbreak over. Since Sept. 25, 2025, no new Ebola cases have been reported.

National Response and Vaccination Campaign

The leadership of the DRC government and the Ministry of Health led to a rapid response to the Ebola outbreak. Pre-existing agreements with vaccine manufacturers ensured immediate availability, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, played a vital role in delivering 300,000 investigational doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine. As a result, ring vaccination was rapidly implemented on Sept. 14, 2025, in the Bulape Health Zone, focusing on high-risk contacts and frontline health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also contributed operational support.

A total of 112 WHO experts and frontline responders were deployed to support field operations, and more than 150 tons of medical supplies and equipment were delivered to safeguard health workers and communities. Strong government coordination and decision-making also resulted in the introduction of an Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) to deliver higher-quality patient care while enhancing health worker safety. As a result, more than 47,500 people were vaccinated against Ebola.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also played a vital role in preserving vaccine cold chain integrity in a region with limited infrastructure while working in close partnership with the DRC Ministry of Health, WHO and other United Nations (U.N.) agencies. Beyond vaccination, UNICEF supported medical care for Ebola patients, strengthened hygiene measures in schools and health facilities and delivered community education on disease prevention. Operational challenges were addressed by improving access to clean water at Bulape Hospital through the installation of a piped water system, delivering lasting benefits for both the facility and the wider community. The coordinated response halted transmission, minimized secondary infections and enabled the outbreak to be declared over.

Treatment Center and Clinical Efforts

The establishment of a new treatment center in Bulape supported the successful management of the Ebola outbreak. The 32-bed facility has been operational since Oct. 9, 2025, and was built on a 4,500-square-meter site located 200 meters from Bulape General Hospital. The center features 14 tents with private rooms to ensure patient dignity and privacy. Patient monitoring systems allowed staff to provide care without direct exposure to the disease, clearly separating “red zone” (high-risk) and “green zone” (low-risk) areas for safer workflow. The center also included a water, sanitation and hygiene system with a 20,000-liter capacity supplied from a protected source 1.2 kilometers away.

Another key innovation was the introduction of the Infectious Disease Treatment Module (IDTM) to provide more humane care. The module included the use of a “patient liner,” which allows constant patient visibility while maintaining safety, and a deliberate shift in language to emphasize dignity by referring to people as “patients” rather than “cases” and facilities as “treatment centers” instead of “isolation centers.”

In terms of staffing, 50 health professionals and 75 hygienists were trained, all staff were vaccinated and 64 WHO experts were deployed.

As a result, continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Health, WHO, Africa CDC and NGO partners made timely access to treatment and vaccines critical to reducing fatalities and stopping the outbreak. The WHO Africa director, Dr. Mohamed Janabi, said, “The recovery of the last patient … illustrates the strength of partnership, national expertise and collective determination to overcome obstacles to save lives.”

Looking Ahead

The successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC demonstrates the strength of coordinated public health action, effective partnerships and community engagement. Beyond ending transmission, the response improved preparedness, strengthened health systems and built community resilience. This achievement reinforces regional health security and reflects the DRC’s growing capacity to respond effectively to future outbreaks.

– Angela D’Avino

Angela is based in Preston, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Malaria and Poverty in Africa: Funding Cuts Threaten Millions

Malaria and Poverty in Africa: Funding Cuts Threaten MillionsMalaria is the leading cause of preventable death, killing almost 600,000 people in 2023. The largest outbreaks occur in sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty is a key contributing factor. Global aid programs have been successful, averting millions of malaria-related deaths, demonstrating their necessity. Sadly, recent funding cuts threaten progress against malaria and poverty in Africa. Millions are once again at risk from a disease the world already knows how to prevent.

The Disease-Poverty Cycle

Malaria is more than a health concern. It is part of a disease-poverty cycle that threatens the welfare of generations. For many African countries, approximately 63% of malaria spending comes from foreign investment. Poor areas lack access to health clinics and mosquito nets, leaving millions vulnerable.

Malaria infections leave low-income households facing further financial strain. Missed workdays mean lost wages and medical care is unaffordable. According to the World Bank, treatment for a single case of malaria costs up to 25% of annual income, pushing vulnerable families deeper into poverty. Children bear the heaviest burden, with almost 80% of malaria-related deaths occurring in children under 5. Infections also lead to higher absenteeism and poor learning outcomes. This threatens their future earning potential, making it harder for them to escape poverty as adults.

International aid is the strongest tool to break this cycle. Subsidized mosquito nets and affordable medication have saved millions of lives and reduced the financial strain on families. But the funding cuts in early 2025 are undoing all of the progress. Unless resources are restored, the disease-poverty cycle will only tighten its grip.

How Funding Cuts Impact Malaria and Poverty in Africa

Between 2010 and 2023, the United States (U.S.) contributed an average of 37% of global malaria financing. The $15.6 billion dispersed through the Global Fund averted more than 600 million malaria cases. The recent foreign aid reductions, however, led the Global Fund to cut $1.4 billion from existing grants. These cuts significantly limit resources for the communities that rely on them most.

Within the last year, several African countries saw a sharp increase in malaria cases and deaths. Zimbabwe recorded 119,648 cases and 334 deaths, while Namibia registered 89,959 cases and 146 deaths. Without sustained aid, millions will again face illness and economic hardship. Households lose income, medical expenses increase and children miss school. Each malaria case reinforces the disease-poverty cycle, trapping generations in a world of disease and hardship.

Preventing Malaria: Funding, Care and Innovation

In light of the funding cuts, countries and organizations are taking coordinated action to reduce the impact of malaria and poverty in Africa. At the 38th African Union Summit this year, African leaders emphasized the need for foreign investment to reduce the economic burden of the disease.

African countries are reprioritizing budgets to maintain malaria prevention and treatment programs in high-risk areas. Local health workers bring diagnosis and treatment closer to households, increasing access to treatment and reducing financial strain on families. 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in collaboration with Epidemic Prognosis Incorporating Disease and Environmental Monitoring for Integrated Assessment (EPIDEMIA), developed a malaria early warning system enabling targeted prevention and treatment efforts. In September 2025, the Gates Foundation pledged $912M to the Global Fund to support malaria programs and urged governments to increase funding.

Combating malaria and poverty in Africa requires urgent advocacy. The Global Fund, which provides 59% of international malaria financing, reduced malaria deaths by 29% between 2002 and 2023. It is a sustained investment that could deliver malaria-free Africa.

Key Malaria and Poverty Reduction Actions

According to the Global Fund, the following efforts can help reduce malaria and poverty.

  • Advocating for full replenishment of the Global Fund.
  • Urging governments to restore and increase contributions.
  • Pushing for transparent budgeting to ensure funds reach high-need communities.
  • Mobilizing advocacy groups to contact representatives to back global health funding. 

Looking Ahead

Despite recent funding cuts, progress against malaria reveals that the disease can be defeated. Continued support from governments, donors and communities can sustain prevention efforts and protect millions from poverty. With renewed commitment, a malaria-free Africa is within reach.

– Tina Kusal

Tina is based in Montrose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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All About Tungiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa: What, Where and How

All About Tungiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa: What, Where and How Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), meaning it does not receive adequate attention.  It is most prevalent among those living in poverty in the Caribbean, South America and the sub-Saharan region of Africa. Despite this fact, Tungiasis continues to go unaddressed in global public health agendas. Tungiasis does not get much coverage in academic circles, by community health care practitioners, public health experts, decision makers, funding organizations and pharmaceutical companies. No country, particularly in the sub-Saharan region, knows its disease burden regarding Tungiasis, which is a challenge in addressing the problem.

The What

Tungiasis is a skin disease caused by female sand fleas (Tunga penetrans), commonly called jiggers. It is a zoonosis, meaning it can be transmitted between humans and animals, particularly domestic animals such as dogs, cats and pigs. The disease occurs when the female flea burrows into the skin. The most affected areas of the human body are the feet, but the elbows, hands, knees, genitals, buttocks and periungal areas (fingers or toes) are also sites of infection.

At the acute stage, victims suffer from severe pain, itching, sleep problems, inflammation, swelling, deep fissures, ulcers and abscess development due to bacterial superinfection.  Those who suffer chronically experience protracted pain, deformity, damage to the feet, disability and eventually long-term cognitive impairment. In addition to the physical manifestations of the disease, those with Tungiasis also endure social stigma and isolation.

Tungiasis Prevalence: The Where

The prevalence of Tungiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa varies by location.  The disease primarily affects children and elderly people in every country within the Sub-Saharan region of Africa.  The prevalent rates of infection in each country are as follows: 

  • Ethiopia: 46.5%
  • Cameroon: 44.9%
  • Tanzania: 42.0%
  • Kenya: 37.2%
  • Nigeria: 28.1%
  • Rwanda: 22.7%
  • Uganda: 20.1% 

These rates are averages, but some areas within these countries show higher prevalence. For example, northeastern Uganda recorded a prevalence rate of 62.8%.

Ongoing Efforts: The How

Risk factors for contracting Tungiasis include poverty, poor hygiene, lack of sealed flooring, mud/earthen housing, rearing of domestic animals, and walking barefoot. Home remedies attempted include manual extractions with non-sterile sharp instruments, which cause inflammation, significant pain, bleeding, open wounds and a high risk of bacterial and viral infections. Other methods include the use of motor oil, tobacco, naphthalene, kerosene and hydrogen peroxide. None of these methods is effective, and all are dangerous.

The most recommended treatment for Tungiasis is the use of low-viscosity Dimeticone. It is the most effective and works in mild and severe cases. Another effective treatment is the combination of coconut and neem oil. However, it is not as effective as Dimeticone and requires more application to the affected area.

Innovations for Tropical Disease Elimination (IFOTRODE), a humanitarian organization based in Uganda, carried out a two-year study in the country’s northeast. The study included quarterly detection and treatment efforts. People and animals received treatment with Dimeticone oil, and the team also organized community health promotions through local dialogues. During the study, health workers diagnosed and treated 12,540 cases. As a result, the prevalence of tungiasis in the area dropped from 62.8% to 5.7%. It appears researchers have discovered the formula required to reduce and even possibly eradicate Tungiasis.

Looking Ahead

The success of community-based efforts in Uganda shows that the right tools and attention can dramatically reduce tungiasis. Expanding access to effective treatments like dimeticone, investing in public health education, and strengthening global awareness will help eliminate the disease. With continued innovation and support, communities can achieve the goal of ending the suffering caused by tungiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa.

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Dying to Give Birth: Maternal Mortality in Indonesia

Dying to Give Birth: Maternal Mortality in Indonesia Experts widely recognize maternal mortality as a critical indicator of the quality of a nation’s health care system. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for a global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of less than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Indonesia, however, continues to face serious challenges in meeting these targets.

Regional Disparities Highlight Inequities in Care

According to World Bank data, 140 women die per 100,000 live births due to pregnancy-related causes in Indonesia — higher than the regional average. While maternal deaths have steadily declined, Indonesia remains among the highest in Southeast Asia, with significant disparities within the country. Hypertensive disorders and non-communicable diseases account for a growing share of maternal deaths, complicating efforts to reduce mortality.

The national MMR masks stark regional differences. Provinces in Java and Bali report lower maternal mortality rates, whereas Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia experience rates more than twice the national average. These disparities reflect unequal access to health care and differences in the availability of skilled professionals. 

Drivers of Maternal Mortality

The main medical causes of maternal death include hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis. However, structural and social factors play an equally critical role. Studies indicate that rural and remote settings correlate with higher complication rates and insufficient referrals. The availability of obstetricians and midwives explains nearly half of the variance in maternal mortality outcomes across the country. Patients from wealthier backgrounds often migrate across provinces to seek better care, highlighting the quality gaps in rural facilities.

Distance and lack of infrastructure further endanger women’s lives. As Noorkarmila, a midwife from West Java, observes, “The long distance it takes them to get to the hospital and limited facilities… it saddens me to see [a pregnant woman’s journey] to the moment she dies, especially when there are things we can do to prevent it.”

Socioeconomic inequalities, entrenched gender norms and gender-based violence (GBV) exacerbate these risks. Nationwide surveys indicate that roughly one in three Indonesian women aged 15 to 64 has experienced physical or sexual violence, which carries both immediate and long-term health consequences such as trauma, unwanted pregnancies and chronic illness. Underreporting and weak enforcement of laws further compound the problem.

Local Initiatives Bridging the Gap

Despite these challenges, local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and programs are making meaningful progress. The Indonesian Global Health Foundation provides telemedicine devices to connect rural residents with doctors, midwives and nurses, facilitating more than 350 online consultations across at least 20 villages.

Project HOPE focuses on strengthening the skills of midwives, who provide the first neonatal care for half of all infants in Indonesia. Through training and ongoing supervision, midwives gain confidence in managing common obstetric and newborn emergencies, improving outcomes in sub-district health facilities and private midwife practices.

The Road Ahead

The challenge of maternal mortality in Indonesia underscores the urgent need for equitable access to health care, investment in skilled personnel, and interventions addressing social determinants of health. Achieving the SDG targets by 2030 will require sustained efforts, particularly in underserved regions, alongside comprehensive strategies to combat poverty, gender inequality and violence against women. With targeted initiatives and local innovations, Indonesia can continue its progress toward ensuring safe motherhood for all.

– Kai Xian Lim

Kai is based in Odense, Denmark and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Childhood Anemia in Sierra Leone: Scale, Costs, and Solutions

Childhood Anemia in Sierra LeoneIn Sierra Leone, childhood anemia remains a widespread public-health burden with immediate clinical harms and long-term economic consequences. Recent national surveys and nutrition profiles show very high prevalence among children under 5 and point to a large absolute caseload that demands both low-cost commodities and substantial delivery investments.

The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey reported an exceptionally high prevalence of anemia in children under 5. When combined with population estimates for the under-5 cohort (~1,188,000), the implied burden is roughly 900,000 young children affected. Quantifying both prevalence and headcount helps translate epidemiology into program scale and budgetary needs.

Causes and Clinical Impact

Multiple drivers contribute to childhood anemia in Sierra Leone: inadequate access to iron-rich foods, repeated infections (including malaria), intestinal parasites, and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions. Clinically, moderate and severe anemia in young children associates with reduced activity, impaired immune response, delayed cognitive development and elevated risks of hospitalization and mortality—outcomes that reduce lifetime human capital.

Home fortification with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) constitutes one of the clearest, evidence-backed interventions for reducing iron deficiency and lowering anemia prevalence in infants and young children. Meta-analyses and program guidance report reductions in anemia (meta-analytic point estimates commonly around the high-teens percentage reduction in targeted age bands) and substantial declines in iron deficiency biomarkers. At the procurement level, UNICEF price data have shown MNP product costs can be very low (for example, roughly $1.65 for 90 sachets), but product cost is only one component of a functional program.

Delivery Costs and Program Scale

Product procurement at UNICEF commodity prices implies a modest line-item for sachets alone: covering a six-month intermittent regimen for ~903,000 children would cost on the order of $1.5 million for the sachets themselves. Implementation pilots, however, highlight that distribution, community health worker time, training, supervision and adherence monitoring drive total costs far higher. Pilot studies report per-child program costs in the low tens of dollars (for example, approximately $53 per child via community platforms and ~ $66 via facility platforms in a nine-month pilot), which projects to program budgets in the tens of millions to reach the whole affected cohort.

UNICEF, WFP and HKI

UNICEF partners with the Government of Sierra Leone on child-nutrition programs, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling, and supports behavior change and supply-chain steps that are essential to sustained impact. Recent UNICEF reporting describes local innovations and maternal/child nutrition support activities deployed in 2024–2025.

The World Food Program (WFP) has piloted local production of affordable, nutrient-enriched complementary foods for children and works through community and school platforms to improve diet quality—an approach that reduces reliance on imported products and supports local economies. WFP described a 2023 pilot equipping women’s producer groups to hygienically make nutrient-rich complementary foods.

Helen Keller International (HKI) acts as a long-standing nutrition partner in Sierra Leone and has worked with the Ministry of Health to expand access to prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation and other nutrition services; HKI’s recent program descriptions note expansion of prenatal supplement access across more than 1,400 health facilities in recent years, an example of scaling maternal nutrition to support child outcomes indirectly.

Conclusion

The numbers outline a stark but solvable public-health challenge: a large cohort of young children faces anemia, and inexpensive commodities exist that reduce prevalence. The decisive constraints are delivery systems and integrated public-health responses. Scaling proven platforms—UNICEF’s supply and behavior-change partnerships, WFP’s local complementary-food initiatives and HKI’s facility-level nutrition expansions—offers an operational road map: combine affordable MNP procurement with funded distribution, malaria and deworming measures and maternal-child nutrition services to convert low unit costs into durable population health gains.

– Alexander Broermann

Alexander is based in Frankfurt, Germany and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Innovative Ways CEPI is Fighting Lassa Fever

CEPILassa Fever is spread primarily through rodents, specifically Mastomys rats. The viral illness affects up to half a million people a year, with thousands of deaths reported each year. Despite its destructive impact on West Africa, there is still no licensed vaccine. To fight this, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is driving forward an ambitious strategy that combines science, partnerships and capacity building. CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, offering a blueprint for how the world can prepare for other epidemic threats.

Accelerating Clinical Trials in West Africa

A key step toward eliminating Lassa Fever lies within vaccine development and CEPI is helping to fast-track clinical trials directly in the communities that have been most affected. In 2022, CEPI supported Phase 1 trials in Liberia, marking the first test of an experimental Lassa vaccine in West Africa. This has now been followed up with Phase 2 studies across Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia, which have enrolled more than 600 participants as of 2024.

The Lassa Fever Vaccine Efficacy and Prevention for West Africa (LEAP4WA) consortium, funded by both CEPI and the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnerships (EDCTP), is now preparing for a phase 2b efficacy trial in Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. CEPI’s April 2025 LEAP4WA newsletter confirms that this trial, evaluating the ‘rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC’ vaccine candidate, will begin in 2026 with extensive preparations already underway.

Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, stressed the urgency of the development of a vaccine: “Lassa Fever has been neglected far too long; through supporting trials in endemic regions, we can help those in need.” This focus on West African communities reflects one of the most important ways CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that science serves the people who need it most.

Understanding the Disease Through Epidemiology

Developing a vaccine is only half the challenge; understanding the virus itself is equally vital. That is why CEPI has created its ENABLE program, the largest study of its kind for Lassa Fever, which has enrolled up to 23,000 participants across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This ground-breaking study aims to map transmissions, symptoms and risk factors. These findings are vital for guiding future vaccination campaigns.

To ensure global data consistency, CEPI’s Enabling Science initiative, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has developed international standards and assays for Lassa Fever. This ensures laboratories worldwide can reliably evaluate vaccines and diagnostics.

Gabrielle Breugelmans, CEPI’s Director of Epidemiology, stated, “ENABLE 1.5, running in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, is giving a clearer picture. Its findings will guide vaccine trial locations and help identify priority groups for vaccination.” Supporting this, CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) has become the world’s largest vaccine testing network, processing more than 120,000 samples and aiding more than 60 developers. In 2025, it expanded with new members, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has strengthened Africa’s outbreak readiness. 

In accordance with this, CEPI’s Biospecimen Sourcing Initiative aims to reduce the time needed to collect survivor samples from months to weeks, accelerating the diagnostic process and vaccine development. Together, these innovations demonstrate the way CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, linking local epidemiology and global lab capacity.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Governance

Scientific progress alone cannot subdue Lassa Fever. Strong governance and collaboration are essential to ensure vaccines are delivered fairly and effectively. CEPI has worked with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to launch the Lassa Fever coalition. This collaboration brings together ministries of health, NGOs and civil society organizations to coordinate strategies across borders.

Oyeronke Oyebanji, the head of CEPI’s Lassa Engagement, proclaimed, “The coalition reflects growing solidarity across West Africa, strengthening health security for Lassa and other epidemic threats.” 

In parallel, CEPI supports the RegECs Project, which has harmonized regulatory and ethical approval processes across West Africa through collaboration with the African Regulatory Forum (AVAREF). This innovation has reduced delays in starting trials whilst upholding the international safety standards. Such cross-border cooperation is yet another example of how the CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that progress doesn’t stop at the laboratory but extends into policy and practice.

Building Clinical Trial Infrastructure

One of CEPI’s most forward-thinking strategies is investment in local infrastructure. Through the Research Preparedness Program West Africa (RPPWA), CEPI is helping establish new laboratories, train researchers and prepare trial sites capable of hosting large-scale studies. These investments are designed to outlast any single project. By strengthening scientific capacity across the region, CEPI is building resilience that will help West African countries respond not only to Lassa fever but also to future outbreaks such as Ebola or unknown diseases like “Disease X.” This commitment to sustainability is another practical way CEPI is fighting Lassa fever, leaving behind a legacy of stronger, self-reliant health systems.

A Blueprint for Future Epidemics

CEPI’s fight against Lassa fever illustrates how epidemic preparedness must go beyond developing a vaccine. Indeed, it requires embedding research with affected communities, building networks of trust and investing in long-term infrastructure. Its work shows that when science, governance and regional leadership align, neglected diseases can be confronted head-on.

Through accelerated clinical trials, pioneering epidemiological studies, regional governance initiatives and infrastructure development, CEPI is reshaping how the world approaches epidemic threats. These strategies are among the most impactful ways CEPI is fighting Lassa fever while also providing a model for addressing other emerging infectious diseases. In a region where outbreaks have too often devastated communities, CEPI’s approach offers hope not just of a vaccine but of a safer, more resilient future.

– Charlie Wood

Charlie is based in Liversedge, West Yorkshire and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Stop TB Partnership Takes Action With RESPECT

Stop TB Partnership Takes Action With RESPECT Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that mostly affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit. TB is a preventable and curable disease. Only about a quarter of the world’s population is estimated to have TB bacteria. About 5% to 10% of people infected with TB will eventually get symptoms and contract TB disease. People who have the bacteria but are free of the disease cannot transmit it. Treatment usually involves the use of TB antibiotics, without which TB can be fatal.

Overview of Project RESPECT

The Stop TB Partnership, in collaboration with Unitaid, is leading the Reshaping People-Centric Empowered Community-led DR-TB Treatment (RESPECT). DR-TB refers to drug-resistant tuberculosis. The project focuses on mobilizing and strengthening the role of TB-affected communities and civil society to increase the demand for and uptake of DR-TB services and tools.

Community Engagement and Target Regions

RESPECT plans to use the Stop TB Partnership’s Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) to boost community engagement and demand for DR-TB services and tools in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Moldova and Pakistan. The project also supports national networks in advocating for budgets and policies, promoting literacy and stigma reduction initiatives and conducting community-led monitoring to enhance accountability. Other consortium partners will join the Stop TB Partnership’s efforts to advance this work at the country level.

Funding and Treatment Shift

The Stop TB Partnership will implement RESPECT alongside other programs as part of a $15.3 million investment from Unitaid to strengthen DR-TB action in 16 countries. The initiative aims to empower those most affected and increase demand for, address barriers to and improve access to new World Health Organization (WHO) treatment regimens for DR-TB. These new regimens replace older treatments that could last up to two years and required painful injections.

Goals and Impact

Project RESPECT seeks to have a transformative impact on DR-TB care by identifying and removing barriers to life-saving diagnosis and treatment. According to Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid, “Too often, the latest innovations in drug-resistant TB testing and treatment do not reach populations that need them. Community networks can help us to reach beyond the health care system and drive demand, reduce stigma and ensure equitable access to the latest tools.” The project also aims to raise awareness and build the capacity of communities through community-led monitoring, training, advocacy and communication tools. These resources will ensure the creation of literacy and communication materials tailored for affected communities and local governments.

Looking Ahead

TB has a reputation as a contagious but curable disease. The Stop TB Partnership is working to reinforce this globally through RESPECT and other initiatives. DR-TB poses a serious public health threat in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and recent developments in DR-TB treatments have led to World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended regimens that can cut treatment time and costs in half. However, adoption of these new treatment regimens has been slow in many LMICs. Through RESPECT, Unitaid will implement mechanisms that drive demand and create solutions tailored to community needs. The project will also develop and share tools and resources to strengthen community engagement and improve the overall response to DR-TB. This approach aims to improve health outcomes and reduce TB-related stigma and discrimination and will be complemented by the Stop TB Partnership’s work in other countries.

– Abirame Shanthakumar

Abirame is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Care Crisis: 4 Diseases Impacting Kenya

Diseases Impacting KenyaKenya’s health care system has profoundly suffered as problems like corruption, lack of adequate resources, systemic malpractice, suboptimal policy-making, and Kenya’s ever-increasing poverty rates, amongst other severe issues, pervade Kenya’s fragile health care sector. The current climate crisis has also ignited further issues regarding Kenya’s health care system, as the rate of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has drastically increased in recent years. Here are four diseases impacting Kenya.

Malaria

In 2022, Kenya reported around 5 million cases of malaria, with more than 12,000 Kenyans dying as a result of the outbreak. Lack of rainfall and high temperatures have exacerbated the already dire risk of Malaria contamination, as Kenya’s lack of rainfall has created environmental conditions that are highly conducive to Malaria exposure.

Extreme changes in Kenya’s weather patterns have attracted a breed of mosquito, Anopheles Stephensi, which serves as an avid transmitter of malaria. Studies have concluded that the resurgence of the Anopheles Stephensi population in Kenya could potentially expose around 126 million Kenyans to Malaria.

HIV/AIDS

Kenya currently has the seventh largest percentage of people infected with AIDS/HIV globally. Due to the erroneous distribution of health care facilities across Kenya, faulty educational policies and cultural/systemic gender norms, AIDS/HIV reigns as one of the leading causes of death in Kenya. The HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects women, especially young women (15-24), as women and young girls make up two-thirds of the current percentage of Kenyans living with AIDS/HIV. The current U.S. foreign aid freeze has only exacerbated this issue, as foreign aid has historically accounted for 40% of Kenya’s HIV/AID preventative resource supply.

Cholera

Kenya has historically been a hotspot for frequent Cholera outbreaks and has continued to affect the Kenyan population due to poor sanitation infrastructure and lack of access to clean water. Heavily populated areas like refugee camps, informal settlements, and other highly populated and poorly regulated areas have especially served as hotspots for Cholera contamination.

While efforts like nationwide vaccine distribution, an increase in research towards Cholera prevention/preparedness, and an increase in policy highlighting health care reform in Kenya have helped mitigate outbreaks in recent years, Kenya has had a Cholera outbreak almost every single year since its first outbreak in 1971.

Tuberculosis

In 2016, Tuberculosis was the fourth-leading cause of death in Kenya, and the reported cases of TB contamination have increased sixfold in the last 15 years.  The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these rates, as the percentage of Kenyans who contracted Tuberculosis increased from 49% in 2019 to 61% in 2020. While the spike in Tuberculosis rates has since decreased as the turbulence of the pandemic has decreased, the 2020 Tuberculosis outbreak represents the severe fragility of Kenyan’s health care sector, as statistics have repeatedly shown that the slightest economic, political, health care, or societal issue can seriously exacerbate an already extremely vulnerable healthcare system.

The Future

Though many issues continue to fray the fabric of the health care sector in Kenya, there is hope for the welfare of Kenyan citizens. In 2024, President William Ruto implemented the Social Health Insurance Fund, mandating health care coverage for citizens nationwide.

NGOs like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to implement immunization programs to reduce diseases impacting Kenya.  Though much work is still necessary when it comes to health care reform in Kenya, the shift in political attention towards healthcare reform, coupled with the persistence of NGO efforts to supply Kenya with the proper resources to combat disease outbreaks, establish that hope for the improvement of Kenya’s fractured healthcare system remains steadfast.

– Ava Lachini

Ava is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Combating Mold and Poor Air in Informal Settlements

Invisible Threat: Combating Mold and Poor Air in Informal Settlements to Boost HealthInformal settlements, often characterized by dense populations, inadequate infrastructure and precarious living conditions, house millions of people worldwide. While visible challenges like the lack of sanitation and access to clean water are widely recognized, a serious and often overlooked threat exists within the very structures these communities rely on: mold and poor air quality. This ongoing issue significantly affects public health, contributing to chronic illnesses and undermining the overall well-being of residents.

The built environment in informal settlements worsens the problem. Residents often construct dwellings from salvaged or low-cost materials that provide minimal insulation and poor ventilation.

Overcrowding is common, further limiting air circulation and increasing humidity. Additionally, many residents rely on open fires or rudimentary stoves for cooking and heating and this releases harmful pollutants into the already confined spaces. The combination of moisture, poor ventilation and indoor pollution creates ideal conditions for mold growth and contributes to dangerously poor air quality in informal settlements.

Health Impacts of Mold and Poor Air

Exposure to mold and poor air in informal settlements has far-reaching health consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly and individuals with preexisting respiratory conditions.

  • Respiratory Illnesses. Mold spores, when inhaled, can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. Chronic exposure to indoor air pollutants, including particulate matter and volatile organic compounds from cooking fires, significantly increases the risk of acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and even lung cancer. Children, whose respiratory systems are still developing, are particularly susceptible to these adverse effects.
  • Allergic Reactions and Skin Conditions. Beyond respiratory issues, mold can cause a range of allergic reactions, including skin rashes, itchy eyes and nasal congestion. The damp and unhygienic conditions often associated with informal settlements can also exacerbate existing skin conditions and contribute to new ones.
  • Cognitive and Developmental Impacts. Studies have begun to link exposure to poor indoor air quality, particularly in early childhood, with negative impacts on cognitive development and academic performance. This creates an unfortunate cycle where environmental factors undermine educational opportunities, perpetuating poverty.
  • Mental Health. The constant presence of dampness, mold and poor air in informal settlements can also contribute to stress, anxiety and depression among residents. The feeling of living in an unhealthy and unsafe environment can take a significant toll on mental well-being.

Potential Solutions and Ongoing Efforts

Addressing mold and poor air quality in informal settlements requires a multi-faceted approach that considers the unique challenges of these communities.

  • Improving Housing Design and Materials. Simple design modifications, such as strategically placed windows and vents, can significantly improve airflow and reduce humidity. Educating residents on preventing water intrusion and managing leaks could also play a crucial role. Implementing affordable and moisture-resistant building materials can also help. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity often focus on improving housing conditions, including better ventilation and moisture control. Exploring the use of locally sourced, sustainable materials that offer better insulation and breathability can potentially provide long-term solutions.
  • Enhancing Indoor Air Quality Practices. Promoting access to and adoption of cleaner cooking technologies, such as improved cookstoves or alternative fuels, can significantly reduce indoor air pollution. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves promotes the use of these solutions. Educating residents on simple practices like opening windows when cooking, drying clothes outdoors and maintaining regular cleaning can make a significant difference. Proper waste disposal reduces the presence of damp organic matter that can contribute to mold growth.
  • Community Engagement and Education. Informing residents about the health risks associated with mold and poor air and empowering them with practical solutions is paramount. Supporting local initiatives that focus on improving housing conditions and environmental health can lead to sustainable change. Organizations like Slum Dwellers International (SDI) often work with communities to identify and address their housing and infrastructure needs. Establishing community-based health monitoring programs can help track the prevalence of respiratory illnesses and other health issues linked to indoor air quality, allowing for targeted interventions.
  • Policy and Urban Planning Interventions. Granting secure land tenure to residents of informal settlements can incentivize them to invest in improving their homes and living conditions, knowing they won’t be evicted. Investing in basic infrastructure like drainage systems, piped water and electricity can reduce dampness and the reliance on polluting energy sources.
  • Integrated Urban Planning. Incorporating health considerations into urban planning for informal settlements, with a focus on ventilation, open spaces and access to services, is crucial for long-term public health. UN-Habitat supports inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

A Healthier Future for Informal Settlements

Addressing mold and poor air in informal settlements appears to go beyond improving housing; it also involves safeguarding public health, strengthening resilience and reducing poverty linked to environmental conditions. Implementing strategies that combine improved housing, cleaner practices, community engagement and supportive policies can help mitigate these risks and improve outcomes for affected communities.

– Anoushka Rai

Anoushka is based in Frisco, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr