Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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Poverty in Sri Lanka

Poverty in Sri LankaSri Lanka is one of many countries that grapples with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that 125 million people worldwide sank into poverty over the first 18 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed to an additional 71 million people falling into poverty. Sri Lanka is facing staggering levels of poverty and is exploring resolutions to combat the decline.

Rising Economic Challenges

The primary economic crisis in Sri Lanka started with attempted resolutions by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. After the Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009, the president took out huge loans from foreign creditors — including China — to pay war expenses and build more infrastructure. The 2019 Easter bombings and COVID-19 pandemic demolished Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, one of the country’s main sources of revenue, causing it to default on its loans.

With China holding about 26% of Sri Lanka’s debt, the country is now in ‘debt trap diplomacy’. Additionally, 56% of the debt is held by private banks with high-interest rates. Most of this debt was accrued for infrastructure projects that did not yield high enough returns to repay the loans.

Humanitarian Crisis and Sri Lanka Poverty

Between 2020 and 2022, poverty in Sri Lanka rose from 13.1% to 25%. That number continues to rise, as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war compound the existing lack of access to resources, such as food and fuel. Inflation rose 46% in 2022, with recent government resolutions causing massive job loss within Sri Lanka.

Agriculture, another huge sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, took a hit in 2021 when the president introduced a ban on chemical fertilizers in an effort to promote “all organic” farming. This disruption of Sri Lanka’s booming tea industry, alongside disrupted supply chains — has created major food insecurity, with 66,000 people suffering from severely acute food insecurity.

The Future for The Children of Sri Lanka

With the alarming lack of resources, the rise of malnutrition is projected to heavily affect children. Lack of funding for clean drinking water projects, as well as the importation of water treatment chemicals as a stopgap measure, leaves Sri Lankan children extremely vulnerable to a variety of diseases. All of these issues, alongside schools remaining closed until 2022, leave an estimated 4.8 million children of Sri Lanka with increased mental health and psychosocial issues in addition to living in deep poverty.

UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action supports access to essential health care services for children and women. It ensures the maintenance of government functions in addition to access to clean water and solutions to child health risks.

Sri Lanka has shown incredible resilience during these hard times. The “Leave No One Behind” initiative started by the Sri Lankan government and the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) provides volunteer relief through community kitchens, distribution of nutrition packs and support to access medicine.

– Isabella Polo
Photo: Flickr

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How National Debt Negatively Affects Developing Nations

National Debt Between 2000 and 2023, global GDP has tripled, while global public debt has quintupled in the same period. This is a serious issue, yet the world’s $92 trillion in public debt remains far from a household discussion. National debt affects developing nations in an outsized way that is spoken of even less.    

While public debt affects the developed world, it is crippling the developing world’s ability to rise out of poverty. Global poverty cannot be solved without recognizing that public debt is a key part of the problem. Without addressing it, developing countries will remain mired in high-interest payments and an ever-growing debt burden that harms their citizens and steals their futures.

How Does National Debt Affect Developing Nations? 

Last year, 59 developing countries held national debt worth more than 60% of their GDP. These countries are already combatting many other hurdles to success, including food instability, poor health care and a lack of sanitation. Their high levels of debt prevent them from being able to fully address the issues impacting their people. 

The debt problem is so severe that, according to the UN, “3.3 billion people now live in countries where debt interest payments are greater than expenditure on health or education.” These countries are only managing to pay the high interest on their loans, not their actual debt burdens. Developing countries face an increasing need to divert life-saving funds to maintain debt. As a result, national debt affects developing nations in an extremely detrimental way.

National Debt Affects Developing Nations Differently 

Public debt affects developing and developed nations very differently. While developed nations have the stability and resilience to ride out their storms and debt mistakes, developing nations do not. They remain stuck in a perpetual cycle of debt that they cannot pay off, while interest payments keep them from lifting themselves out of poverty. The story of debt in these two types of countries is very different.

What is the Interest Rate Disparity and Why Does it Matter? 

There is significant disparity in interest rates between loans that developing nations take out as opposed to developed ones. Over the past 10 years, while developed countries have been paying around 1% interest on loans, developing countries have been charged 5-8% interest. It is far more expensive for a developing nation to have debt than it is for developed nations.

Why Do Developing Nations Take Out Loans?   

To better understand this massive problem, it is helpful to understand why developing nations take out debt in the first place. The reasons are myriad, but include:   

  • The unexpected cost of the COVID-19 pandemic   
  • External disasters that have an impact on the country   
  • Domestic disasters 
  • Other unforeseen economic issues that countries face 
  • Infrastructure development aimed toward economic growth 
  • The war in Ukraine 

Many developing nations faced multiple disasters in the last few years that, due to their financially vulnerable state, have left them without any recourse other than loans. This means that national debt affects developing nations now even more than it normally would. 

Who Do Developing Nations Borrow Money From? 

When a country decides to borrow, they have several possible sources, including:   

  • Internal loans that the government takes out by itself, for itself   
  • Bilateral loans borrowed from the governments of other nations    
  • Multilateral loans from international organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • Private creditors    

The institution that the country is indebted to has influence over that country and may change how easily the country can pay back the loans. For example, China has resisted the movement of international entities working to alleviate the debt burden on developing nations. That makes helping countries who are indebted to China much more difficult.  

Addressing the Debt Crisis 

While there is still a great deal of work to do, global awareness of this issue is increasing. The UN published a report on the global debt crisis in July 2023 titled “A World of Debt: A Growing Burden to Public Prosperity.”   

Additionally, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund collaborate on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, designed to give much-needed relief to developing countries that are overwhelmed with debt. This initiative began in 1996 and provides a road for indebted countries to receive 100% relief on eligible debts. Before a country can receive this aid, it must meet certain criteria — one of which is that the country must “face an unsustainable debt burden that cannot be addressed through traditional debt-relief mechanisms.” There are 36 countries receiving relief through this initiative.

Conclusion   

Global public debt has skyrocketed over the last two years, and developing nations have faced heavy impacts. National debt affects developing nations in a way that developed nations are not subject to, which makes it extremely difficult for developing nations to pay off their debt. Efforts by developed nations are necessary to help developing nations rise out of the depths of public debt. When public debt is no longer a concern, these countries can focus on sustainable development to improve the quality of life among their citizens.

– Abigail Leland
Photo: Pixabay

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Smart Tattoos: The Future of Health Monitoring in Developing Countries

Health MonitoringIn the global battle against diabetes, a condition that directly caused 1.6 million deaths in 2015 and was associated with 4 million deaths in 2017, the revolutionary emergence of smart tattoos could mark a significant turning point, particularly for developing nations grappling with limited health care resources. These innovative devices could be the harbinger of a new era in health care, offering a low-cost, efficient method for real-time health monitoring.

The Escalating Health Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented a staggering rise in diabetes cases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The number of people with diabetes soared from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, and there was a notable 3% increase in diabetes-related mortality rates from 2000 to 2019. The disease is a leading cause of severe health complications, including blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

India, which has the highest number of children and adolescents living with type-1 diabetes — an estimated 229,400 — exemplifies the urgent need for innovative and accessible diabetes management tools. Similarly, Brazil, with 92,300 youth affected, reflects the widespread impact of this chronic condition in developing countries.

The incidence rates of type-1 diabetes in children also shed light on the disease’s reach within these nations. Algeria’s high incidence rate of 34.8 persons diagnosed per 100,000 people each year is proof of the growing need for effective diabetes care and education in Africa and developing countries worldwide.

In its 2018 guidelines on pharmacological agents for managing diabetes in low-resource settings, the WHO noted that “sulfonylureas are currently more affordable than newer oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents for people who pay ‘out of pocket’.” Consequently, they are likely to be more accessible. “This supports the South Asia consensus on diabetes management, which highlighted that cost is an important consideration in this region of the world, as a majority of patients are not covered under medical insurance.”

Smart Tattoos: A Technological Marvel

Historically, tattoos have served various purposes from symbols of cultural significance to marks of personal identity. However, recent research reveals that tattoos may have played a therapeutic role in ancient societies. The discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy with tattoos strategically placed over acupuncture points, suggests that people used tattoos for pain relief, a practice that mirrors modern acupuncture techniques.

In this modern context, health-monitoring ‘smart tattoos’ represent a significant medical breakthrough. As outlined in the British Journal of Nursing, these tattoos leverage nanotechnology to non-invasively monitor glucose levels. This advancement is crucial for diabetes management, where traditional methods are often invasive and painful, leading to poor adherence, especially in areas with limited health care resources.

A Glimpse into the Future of Health Monitoring

At the forefront of this pioneering innovation is the work that Dr. Ali Yetisen and Ph.D. student Rosalia Moreddu conducted at Imperial College London, coinciding with teams at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, led by Steve Park. Their research delves into tattoos capable of detecting biomarkers such as glucose levels by interacting with the interstitial fluid beneath the skin. In essence, it is a tattoo that changes color in response to blood sugar levels, shifting from yellow to green as glucose rises — a critical indicator for those managing diabetes. This paves the way for a future in which the daily rigors of diabetes management are significantly eased, potentially replacing frequent and painful finger-prick tests.

A study in 2018 revealed a preference for wristband devices that monitor glucose. However, it also indicated a growing interest in tattoo sensors, especially among younger demographics and individuals with type 1-diabetes. This hints at a generational shift in health monitoring preferences.

Other Uses for Smart Tattoos

The scope of smart tattoos extends beyond glucose. The Imperial College team is also exploring the detection of albumin and pH levels, which can signal conditions ranging from kidney failure to lung disease. The technology’s adaptability suggests that it could potentially monitor hydration by measuring ion concentrations, a vital aspect of health maintenance.

Further collaboration between MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers resulted in optical biosensors that can be tattooed into the skin, reacting to changes in interstitial fluid. These biosensors are designed to detect various health indicators, including blood pressure, glucose, lactate, skin temperature and brain activity. The researchers envision that this technology will foster new partnerships between biotech companies and skin professionals, such as prosthesis experts and tattooists. Future research aims to explore new biosensors, body modification practices and interaction techniques.

Parallel to the work at Imperial College, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made strides in developing tattoos that are only visible under UV light, making them timely reminders for sunscreen re-application. Another temperature-sensitive tattoo acts as a built-in thermometer, a tool that could be particularly useful in managing health in varying climates.

Adding a digital dimension, Google’s research into conductive ink opens up the possibility of turning body parts into a touchpad. This could enable interactions with devices through simple gestures, marrying the digital and physical aspects of our lives in an unprecedented way.

These technologies may provide a cost-effective, efficient solution for real-time health monitoring, crucial for countries where health care systems are overburdened and under-resourced.

Conclusion

These recent health monitoring innovations offer a glimpse into a future where managing chronic conditions like diabetes could be as simple as glancing at a tattoo. As this technology matures, it holds the promise of not just improving individual health outcomes, but also contributing to alleviating poverty by reducing health care costs and improving the quality of life for millions in developing countries.

– Jack Jones
Photo: Flickr

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3 Pharma Innovations Benefiting Developing Countries

Pharma Innovations
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

  1. A Chagas Disease Treatment for Children: Chagas disease is an illness that a parasite causes. It comes from a family of insects known as kissing bugs. The disease can cause damage to the nervous system and if left untreated, can cause heart failure that kills the patient. There are about 12,000 annual fatalities from Chagas disease worldwide, largely concentrated in South America. The disease is very treatable with proper diagnosis, and can even be cured, though internal damage cannot be reversed. However, for a long time, the most common drug used to treat Chagas disease was only for adults, meaning that children who contracted the disease needed to have the medication adapted to them, sometimes resulting in incorrect dosing which could be a barrier to treatment. In 2011, child-dosed tablets of benznidazole were created by a coalition of organizations, and currently are patented in Brazil and Argentina, allowing parents to more easily treat their children for this disease.
  2. A Cheap, Safe Cure for Hepatitis C: Though it is extremely common, most people with Hepatitis C do not have access to treatment. This leads to 800 people passing away from complications from Hepatitis C every single day. The disease is curable, but the lack of access to proper treatments in low-income countries makes it a prolific killer; the best way to treat it is with a therapy of combined drugs, which has been previously too expensive for many in impoverished countries to obtain. Scientists at Presidio created a hybrid treatment of the drugs ravidasvir and sofosbuvir, a pharma innovation that was able to completely cure Hepatitis C in 97% of patients. This treatment routine is effective, affordable and has already saved lives.
  3. A Cure For River Blindness: Affecting mostly West and Central Africa, a parasite causes river blindness, which can infect people as they go to a local river to retrieve water, and has infected 19 million people globally. The disease causes skin damage and blindness if left untreated — about 1.15 million people suffer from vision loss caused by river blindness. Though treatments currently exist, they are only able to target hatchling parasites within the human body, not adults, and thus can only control the disease rather than cure it entirely. In a historic pharma innovation, Bayer has been able to create a tablet-form medication that can kill adult worms in the human body, leading to a real cure for river blindness. Clinical trials have shown promise, and the medication will be revolutionary once available. All of these pharma innovations emerged in cooperation with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, which aims to distribute real cures among low-income countries. The development of accessible pharmaceuticals and pharma innovations have significantly improved the health of impoverished countries, as child life expectancy has improved rapidly even among the poorest families. Some studies estimate that one can attribute 74% of the decline in premature mortality to technological improvements and advancements in medicine. Investing in health has promised a brighter future for impoverished countries, one where preventable diseases can no longer steal millions of lives.

– Cheyenne Astarita
Photo: Flickr

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5 Ways To Improve Mental Health in the Developing World

Mental Health in the Developing World
“All countries can be thought of as developing countries in the context of mental health,” says a 2018 report by the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health — a sobering diagnosis for the worldwide distribution of mental health resources. Only 20% of people suffering from depression in the developed world receive proper treatment. In the developing world, this rate plummets to 4%. The world also puts a lower dollar value on recovering the years lost to those with mental illness, investing only 85 cents for each year of illness, as opposed to $144 for each year lost to physical diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Here are five ways to tackle the problem of mental health care in the developing world.

5 Ways To Improve Mental Health in the Developing World

  1. Empowering Nurses – The lack of psychiatrists in developing countries is severe, and the task of mental caretaking often falls on nurses who are undertrained and overworked, but a 2020 report from the Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention offers a solution that works from the ground up. Training Mental Health Nurses (MHNs) to prescribe medicine and treatments with the guidance of available psychiatric staff, and encouraging nursing colleges to incorporate a mental-health curriculum that both incentivizes MHN training and develops in collaboration with other doctoral programs, has the potential to strengthen the quality of mental health care and lessen the amount of time people in developing countries must wait to get it. 
  2. Combining Economic and Psychological Assistance – There is an undeniable connection between economic hardship and poor mental health, but solely financial assistance can overlook important cultural and environmental variables for mental well-being. Dr. Leyla Ismayilova, a professor of social work at the University of Chicago, has been studying the effects of the Trickle Up program in Burkina Faso since 2017. Trickle Up was established in 1986 to lift the extremely poor out of poverty and make them “economically self-sufficient” after two years, and operates in Africa, India and Latin America. Her study indicates that economic assistance from Trickle Up combined with family counseling produces better outcomes than economic assistance alone, decreasing hunger, depression and trauma while increasing self-esteem among children. Child and family mental health is of special concern in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest nations in the world where, according to a 2012 survey, 1.25 million of its children (37.8%) are engaged in child labor, and where harsh parental discipline and domestic violence are widespread. Family counseling was able to empower children within their families, giving them a voice and elevating them beyond simple instruments of income. By encouraging families to talk through their problems while giving them an economic leg up, mothers were more inclined to protect and nurture their children rather than impose cruel corporal punishments, such as depriving them of food or forcing them to stand in uncomfortable positions. Counseling also helped curb domestic violence by reducing male resentment of women as breadwinners, allowing husbands to open up emotionally instead of internalizing their anger and frustrations. 
  3. Technological Outreach – Roughly 88 psychiatrists serve the entire nation of Kenya, leaving one for every 5 million people, most of them based only in Nairobi. However, free apps like TrustCircle, developed by the Psychiatric Disability Organization and U.S. app developers, have the potential to connect millions of Kenyans without the ability to travel with mental health specialists. The app also provides free, anonymous and clinically tested screenings for conditions like PTSD, substance abuse disorder and depression. Africa especially is a fertile testing ground for this kind of technological outreach due to its combination of very low attention to mental health care (46% of countries in Africa have no standalone mental health policies) and a burgeoning trend of digital connectivity. For instance, mobile phone ownership in Ghana increased from just 8% to 83% between 2002 and 2025. A 2022 study by The Brookings Institution showed a 9.8% decrease in mental distress and a 2.3% decrease in the likelihood of severe mental distress among low-income Ghanaians who were given mobile-calling credits during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their ability to make unexpected calls and decreasing their dependence on digital loans. If low-cost connectivity is enough to have a positive impact on mental health, then low-cost mental health connectivity could reap exponential benefits in the developing world.
  4. Decreasing Stigma – The social ire directed towards mental illness in the developing world prevents people not only from seeking treatment but from even disclosing that they are sick at all. A potent example comes from a 2011 study of people suffering from schizophrenia in India, where 46% of participants felt discriminated against by their community and 42% by their own families. One of the largest and most exciting efforts to combat stigma is the Indigo Partnership, which started in 2018. A partnership between several low-to-middle-income countries like China, Ethiopia and Nepal, its five-year mission is to identify stigmatizing language and behavior and develop culturally adapted ways of intervening through communities and health care providers. 
  5. Empowering Families and Communities – There are some truly inspiring examples of community mental health empowerment throughout the developing world. In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the Family Network for Kids project uses technology to train family members and neighbors of children with developmental disorders to provide care, reaching 270 families. The African Mental Health Foundation, in partnership with Columbia University and the Canadian Government, works with traditional healers and clergy in Eastern Kenya to collect vital data on mental illness in their communities, and to direct those in need to mental health care centers. The Friendship Bench project in Zimbabwe, the result of 20 years of research in the country, has empowered 600 grandmothers since 2006 to provide talk therapy in their communities, reaching 30,000 people in just 2017 and reducing depressive symptoms to a degree recognized by the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2016. 

– John Merino
Photo: Flickr

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Sanitation Services: New iThrone Provides a Solution

Sanitation ServicesThough ubiquitous in countries like the U.S. and U.K. and easy to ignore, basic sanitation services remain unavailable to more than 1.7 billion people. Without private toilets, almost 500 million of these individuals practice open defecation, going to the bathroom in places like street gutters or into bodies of water. 

Human waste that is not disposed of properly can come into contact with other humans, usually by contaminating drinking water, causing diseases like cholera, dysentery and polio. Poor sanitation causes almost 450,000 deaths each year as a result of diarrhea in addition to contributing to malnutrition. While it is true that the number of people who openly defecate has almost halved in the past two decades, there is still a dire need for sanitation services to become accessible to all. 

In fact, even the idea of adequate sanitation services in developed countries is not at all sustainable: it is estimated that 5 billion people will be unable to flush their toilets in the next decade so as to not flood centralized sewer systems. 

One invention, the iThrone, is a portable toilet that hopes to provide a solution for the issue of substandard sanitation that persists in the developing world and is encroaching on developed nations.

Background

Diana Yousef is the founder and CEO of change:WATER Labs, a startup launched in 2015 that is focused on inventing and investing in solutions that address the inadequacy of current sanitation standards in many developing countries. The iThrone is the startup’s primary product. Yousef first found inspiration for the iThrone in 2009 while working with NASA to create a water treatment initiative. She wanted to see if the techniques that they conceptualized for the project, an attempt to develop a method of recycling water for space agriculture, could extend to water sustainability in poor countries. Since securing early funding from MIT, change:WATER Labs has received financial support from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UN Development Program. 

How It Works

The iThrone is able to circumvent many of the existing barriers to quality sanitation services. Firstly, it does not require any water to function. For communities that face a scarcity of nearby water sources, the iThrone is an invaluable form of sanitation. It can work without water because it operates by dehydrating human waste, which is mostly water, and converting it to water vapor rather than flushing it away into a sewer system. 

The little waste that is left over can then be used as fertilizer for farming. Due to this aspect of its design, the iThrone is extremely low-cost and efficient, only needing to be emptied every few weeks rather than every day like other non-flushing toilets. 

Even more impressive, four iThrones can be installed for the same price as one communal toilet. As a whole, the iThrone is completely off-grid and needs neither access to plumbing nor power. This means that installation is possible in practically any location, no matter the state of its infrastructure. Due to the simplicity of its construction, it is able to fit in crowded areas, eliminating the need for people to travel long distances just to go to the bathroom. The toilet is also capable of deodorizing deposited human waste by utilizing a biobattery that uses that waste to power a ventilating fan. 

Gender Imbalances

Open defecation presents a particular risk to women and young girls, as having to go to the bathroom in the open, and often in remote locations, makes them vulnerable to sexual assault. In order to relieve themselves without attracting the attention of men, some women restrict their water and food intake so that they need to go to the bathroom very late at night or early in the morning. The iThrone’s ability to provide proper sanitation even in crowded locations reduces the risk of sexual violence, providing women and girls with a sense of safety when they are performing one of their most private tasks and allowing them to eat and drink freely. 

Open defecation also increases the possibility for women and girls to contract reproductive and urinary infections and also renders the entire process of menstruation frustrating and degrading. Girls in regions without adequate sanitation will often skip school during their period, meaning that they miss weeks of instruction. The iThrone acts as an answer to these problems and effectively supports the health and well-being of women and girls in developing countries.  

Future Distribution

Before COVID-19, the iThrone was distributed during its first pilot deployment to a district school and hospital in Uganda. The toilets wound up servicing more than 400 people and received a wholly positive reception from locals. The pandemic unfortunately prevented further distribution from occurring, though the Turkish government expressed interest in purchasing a number of toilets for use in refugee communities in late 2021. The iThrone has also been eyed by construction companies in Central America and Indian companies wanting to test out the toilets in port-a-potties and on transportation and maritime equipment. 

Yousef and her team spent the duration of the pandemic refining their product, ensuring that when distribution does restart, the iThrone can help as many people as possible as effectively as possible. Though the iThrone has yet to be fully deployed, it is clear that it represents exactly the kind of innovation that is required to combat global poverty.

– Sofia Oliver
Photo: Unsplash

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Overcoming Barriers to Medical Services in Developing Nations

Medical Services in Developing NationsAccess to quality health care is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people in developing nations continue to face significant barriers when seeking medical services. The challenges that impede health care access are diverse and complex, ranging from economic constraints to inadequate infrastructure. Addressing these barriers is not only crucial for improving individual well-being but also for achieving broader global health goals. The following is an overview explore some of the key challenges and potential solutions to ensure health care access for all in developing nations.

The Challenge of Economic Barriers

Economic constraint is one of the most pervasive barriers to health care in developing nations. Many individuals simply cannot afford medical care, including essential treatments and medications. High out-of-pocket expenses and low levels of income lead to unfortunate scenarios where individuals delay or avoid seeking medical attention due to financial concerns.

Insufficient Infrastructure and Resources

Inadequate health care infrastructure is another critical challenge. Developing nations often struggle with a lack of health care facilities, medical equipment and trained health care professionals. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, as they frequently lack even basic medical facilities. This scarcity limits the availability and quality of health care services, making it difficult for people to access the care they need in a timely manner.

Geographical Barriers and Limited Transportation

Geographical barriers pose a significant challenge, particularly in countries with large rural populations and difficult terrain. Inaccessible or impassable roads make it hard for individuals to reach medical facilities. Moreover, the cost of transportation can be prohibitive, further deterring people from seeking health care services. Addressing these geographical challenges requires innovative solutions such as mobile clinics, telemedicine and community health workers.

Lack of Awareness and Education

Health-care-avoiding behavior is also influenced by the lack of awareness and education. In some communities, people may not fully understand the importance of preventive care or the available treatment options. Cultural beliefs and misinformation can further contribute to low utilization of health care services. Public health campaigns, community engagement and health education programs are essential to overcome these obstacles.

Potential Solutions and Collaborative Efforts

Overcoming these barriers requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international bodies and local communities. Here are some potential solutions:

  • Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Governments can work towards implementing UHC programs that provide essential health care services to all citizens regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Health Infrastructure Investment: Increased investment in health care infrastructure, including the construction of clinics, hospitals and training facilities for health care workers, is crucial.
  • Telemedicine and Technology: Leveraging technology to offer telemedicine services can bridge the gap between patients and health care providers, especially in remote areas. This approach can offer advantages like accessibility, timely care, specialized expertise, cost savings and equitable health care. Technology can facilitate virtual consultations, remote monitoring through devices and secure data sharing. Despite challenges, such as connectivity and privacy issues, telemedicine’s future is promising.

Medical services for all in developing nations remain an ongoing challenge, but it is a challenge that can be overcome through concerted efforts. By addressing economic barriers, improving infrastructure, raising awareness and fostering global collaboration, there is hope for moving closer to the goal of providing equitable health care services to every individual, regardless of their location or socio-economic status. 

– Sudipta Barua Munmun
Photo: Unsplash

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How the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy is Helping Developing Nations

Common Agricultural Policy
When the European Union was formed, all the countries that joined it collaborated on an extensive, detailed farm policy. The countries enacted this policy, known as the Common Agricultural Policy, in 1962. The policy aimed to create a cohesive market within the EU, where agricultural goods would move freely, and all members would have standardized prices. It also aimed to prioritize products from within the internal market over foreign imports by implementing shared customs tariffs and fostering financial cooperation through joint funding for agricultural initiatives. The European Union has found great success with this policy, especially in its recent efforts to support small rural farmers and implement initiatives that promote sustainable farming practices and resource management.

The implementation of this policy in the European Union has had an exponentially positive impact. However, past versions of the Common Agricultural Policy, which focused solely on domestic initiatives, did not provide assistance to developing nations. Recently, the Common Agricultural Policy has started to yield beneficial effects on developing nations, along with recommendations for modifying this policy to offer even greater assistance to these countries.

Subsidies

Within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Union has taken a concrete step to generate positive impacts for developing nations. The step involves the gradual reduction of import barriers to access EU markets. Prior to 2017, the European Union maintained skewed trade policies that exclusively favored its own interests. Subsequently, these subsidies were eliminated to facilitate affordable access to the European Market for developing countries, including those in Africa. This shift is of particular significance as Europe serves as the primary market for numerous crops originating from Africa, such as coffee or peanuts.

A year after removing these subsidies, the European Union conducted a study on the global impact of the Common Agricultural Policy, which led to the conclusion that “In recent years, progress has been observed in better aligning agriculture with international development goals.” It becomes clear that the reduction of barriers for developing countries to enter the European agricultural market benefits both these nations and the global economy. This instance represents merely one example of the barriers the European Union has eliminated. Many more barriers remain in place to ensure the policy’s benefits for European farmers, while also safeguarding developing countries and their populations from exploitation. With achievements like this, further progress can be achieved in enhancing the inclusivity of this policy, promoting international development and simultaneously maintaining a thriving European Union.

Green Practices 

While more indirect, the Common Agricultural Policy is benefiting developing nations through innovations and the adoption of green practices. European farmers receive numerous supports under the policy, but these often come with requirements for implementing green practices. This alignment ensures that initiatives within the Common Agricultural Policy adhere to environmental and climate regulations. Consequently, this arrangement proves advantageous for developing nations. Green farming practices, including those addressing environmental degradation, can be trialed within a supportive platform. Once their efficacy is established, these practices can be replicated in these nations, facilitating sustainable agricultural development.

Pre-Accession Assistance 

Lastly, the Common Agricultural Policy has expanded its assistance to developing nations by offering pre-accession support in the agricultural sector. Strengthening their competitiveness, promoting sustainable practices and enhancing resilience against climate challenges constitute the core objectives of these forms of aid. These measures not only facilitate their prospective membership in the European Union but also enhance their stability and economies. Pre-accession assistance embodies practical international development.

Although these elements may appear modest within the context of the Common Agricultural Policy, the policy itself has progressed significantly from its earlier focus on international development. Nonetheless, substantial room for improvement remains to better serve developing nations, particularly within the agricultural sector. The 2018 study assessing the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy on developing nations underscores this point, pinpointing areas ripe for enhancement. Expanding this policy poses various challenges, yet the initial stride taken by the European Union in acknowledging its responsibility and influence is evident. The Union’s consideration of the study’s recommendations and its deliberation on the optimal approach to their implementation stand as indicative of this recognition. 

– Ada Rose Wagar
Photo: Flickr

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Study Abroad Scholarships Address Issues of Developing Countries

Abroad ScholarshipsEducation remains one of the most influential and longstanding resources in ending global poverty. Higher education institutions are increasingly reaching beyond borders, offering abroad scholarships to students from developing nations. Through study-abroad scholarships, students from developing countries are equipped with the skills and knowledge to address poverty-related issues in their home countries. With more than 700 million people living in extreme poverty globally as of the end of 2020, addressing these issues appears to be imperative.

Education Endangered

In developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), tertiary education such as college and university is a privilege, not a right. Furthermore, as of 2020, only 9.4% of secondary education graduates in SSA enrolled in any form of tertiary education. This is almost 30% below the global average and 60% below that of the U.K.

Deprivation of education all too often goes hand in hand with broader poverty. In 2018, an estimated 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived below the poverty line of $1.90 a day as estimated by the World Bank.

This deficit carries significant repercussions. The tertiary education system primarily generates professionals equipped with the expertise and skills to navigate political, corporate and economic systems effectively.

The absence of these professionals significantly complicates the task of sub-Saharan African nations in constructing a financial and political infrastructure resilient enough to withstand the challenges of the global landscape. Indeed, a 1991 World Bank Report highlighted this as one of the major hurdles facing these nations in their developmental journey. Regrettably, this challenge persists even today.

Saved By the Scholarship

In our increasingly globalized world, prestigious universities worldwide are recognizing exceptional talents that do not need train tickets but air miles to reach their campuses. Academic promise deserving of encouragement and backing blossoms from Kibera, Kenya, to Dharavi, India — the talent that scholarships can nurture to its full potential.

In response to this trend, numerous independent organizations and government-funded educational institutions have introduced scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate studies, particularly targeting individuals from developing nations. Some of these scholarships encompass comprehensive support, including funding for travel and accommodation.

The Saïd Foundation

One prominent illustration of this trend is the Saïd Foundation, which has been awarding scholarships and educational opportunities for master’s degree programs in the U.K. since 1984. The foundation’s primary mission revolves around fostering the progress of the Middle East by empowering individuals through advanced education at the master’s level.

By affording outstanding individuals from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine the chance to cultivate the skills needed to become pioneers in various fields, ranging from international development to neuroscience, the Saïd Foundation paves the way for these extraordinary individuals to return to their home countries and lead transformative changes.

Saïd Scholars have initiated substantial positive transformations at the very core of social, political and economic structures. For instance, Ambassador Husam Zomlot, who completed a doctorate in International Political Economy from SOAS University of London in 2000 with support from the Saïd Foundation, exemplifies the impact of such scholarships. His LinkedIn profile attests, “The combination of scholarship and practice has given Dr. Zomlot an edge in conducting scholarly and policy-oriented research in the area of international peace and security, with a focus on the Middle East. His work centers on international interventions in conflict and post-conflict zones.”

After founding the Birzeit School of Government, working as an economist with the Palestine Policy Research Institute, and serving as the Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Palestinian President, Zomlot currently holds the position of Head of the Palestinian Mission to the U.K.

Furthermore, in addition to facilitating long-term transformations in developing nations, study-abroad scholarships confer significant benefits upon the countries and institutions that make these scholarships possible. By supporting groundbreaking research and pioneering initiatives aimed at addressing global poverty, guided by individuals who have firsthand experience with this issue, these nations and institutions solidify their status as leaders in both economic and academic development on the global stage.

The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship

The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship has funded a cohort of five African scholars each year since 2014. As with the Saïd Foundation, the focus of the scholarship is to fund those working on projects designed around positive impacts on their home countries. There is also a strong focus on relevance to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals; 17 goals related to tackling global poverty by 2030.

As such, this study-abroad scholarship has enabled recipients to make research strides in several fields that will positively benefit issues plaguing the African continent. For instance, terrorism and specific diseases.

For example, South-African-born Nikita Hiralal’s contributions to countering Islamic State cyberjihad through a postgraduate thesis as part of the 2020-2021 Cambridge-Africa Scholarship cohort, and Ghanaian Mark Asare Owusu’s research as a 2021-2022 Cambridge-Africa Scholar into the epidemiology and control of meningitis in his home country, speaking to the World Health Organization’s objective to defeat meningitis by 2030.

It appears that these scholarships are only the start of a deeply valuable and widely beneficial dialogue between nations across the globe. This dialogue is the beginning of a conversation that remains expansive and ongoing. A conversation that articulates education as a global institution built on equal access and aspiration, valuing countries not by economic output or political circumstance, but by innovation, ideas and intelligence. And it is study-abroad scholarships that allow such intelligence to make a real difference.

Graduates return to developing countries to tackle issues of poverty, sustainable development and education, inspiring economic and political connections and new markets by enhancing the standing of such nations on the global stage and introducing new ways of solving old problems. As such, scholarships prove an invaluable resource for a better world.

– Izzy Grout
Photo: Unsplash

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5 Ways to Combat Communicable Diseases in Developing Countries

Communicable Diseases In Developing Countries
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), communicable diseases are those that are spread from person to person through “microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.” These diseases, also known as infectious diseases, disproportionately impact developing countries. Based on 2001 data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 98.6% of the burden of infectious diseases arose in low and middle-income countries. Some of the most common communicable diseases burdening developing countries are tuberculosis, respiratory tract infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS and most recently, COVID-19.

Although the global burden of communicable diseases reduced by about 44% from 1990 to 2019, there is still a long way to go. Fortunately, there are numerous techniques to combat communicable diseases and alleviate the burden on underdeveloped nations across the globe. Here are five ways to combat communicable diseases in developing countries.

5 Ways to Combat Communicable Diseases in Developing Countries

  1. Promoting Hand-Washing: Although it seems simple, hand-washing is a highly effective way of hindering the spread of disease and is not always as commonly practiced as it may seem. About 2.3 billion people around the world do not have access to hand-washing facilities. This may be due to a lack of infrastructure or lack of access to clean, sanitized water sources. Hand-washing is one of the cheapest public health interventions available to solve this issue. In fact, WHO states that, with less than one dollar per year invested, “all households in the world’s 46 least developed countries could have hand-washing facilities by 2030.” This money could go toward building facilities in houses and hospitals or educating people on the importance of hand-washing.
  2. Improving Housing: Many people in developing countries have to live in unsafe conditions. As mentioned earlier, many households lack facilities with clean water, as well as other necessities like proper waste disposal and heating. These conditions create breeding grounds for bacteria and insects or rodents that carry diseases. Many people also must live in crowded houses due to their low income. Crowding makes it easier for respiratory illnesses like tuberculosis to spread. Addressing these issues could include creating temporary housing facilities for the homeless that are better regulated and sanitary. A more long-term solution would be building houses that are sustainable, affordable and safe. It is worth mentioning that the construction of new housing should involve the community at all stages and be adaptable to the local environment.
  3. Providing Vaccines: With the recent spread of COVID-19, the importance of vaccines is clearer than ever. According to the UN, only around 1% of people in low-income countries received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 2022. This contrasts with the 60.18% of people in high-income countries that received at least one dose. Not only does vaccine inequity prevent developing countries from slowing the spread of communicable diseases, but it also affects countries economically. 2022 data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows that Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan lost 19.87 billion in GDP due to unequal access to vaccines. Without vaccination, lockdowns last longer, and people continue to get sick, forcing them to miss work. The European Investment Bank is working to establish local facilities for the development of vaccines. A new facility at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Senegal is an example of how developing countries can become more self-reliant in the production of vaccines.
  4. Access to Treatment: While preventing the spread of diseases is the first priority, there is also a need for better access to treatment once people contract the diseases. Health care often does not receive enough funding in developing countries which leads to more negative health outcomes. These areas face a lack of equipment, doctors and proper training. In addition, many people are unable to pay for treatment or live in remote areas. Christophe Paquet, Head of Health & Social Protection for the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), notes that the health care sector is “highly dependent on international aid.” The AFD is supporting health care programs in developing countries by renovating facilities, providing access to training for nurses and reducing costs incurred by procedures. For example, they currently cover 80% of the cost of a Cesarean section, a procedure that can save many women’s lives.
  5. Providing Education: In order for any intervention to be successful in the long run, it should be coupled with educational efforts. One contributor to the communicable disease burden in developing countries is a lack of understanding of how these diseases spread and how efforts can prevent them. Having accessible, easy-to-understand information about public health allows individuals to recognize signs of illness and take preventative measures. More general education may also promote longer lifespans and more positive outcomes. Reaching tertiary education, in particular, reduces infant mortality and improves child vaccination rates.

Looking Ahead

These are just a few methods that can help ease the burden of communicable diseases on low-income populations. The U.S. can do its part by providing aid and funding for health-related interventions, much like the AFD in France. Alongside aid, education should be at the center of all of these methods to empower countries to fight these diseases locally.

– Yesenia Aguilera
Photo: Flickr