Archive for category: Disease

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Improving Access to Health Care for Marginalized Groups in Nigeria

Marginalized Groups in Nigeria
Nigeria, despite its significant economic potential, faces severe health care challenges, particularly in marginalized communities. About 40% of Nigerians live in poverty, limiting their access to quality health care services. Addressing these disparities is critical to improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria.

Barriers to Health care Access

  1. Insufficient Primary Health Centers (PHCs): In rural communities where disease burden is high, many primary health centers (PHCs) are either non-functional or under-equipped. This is a significant barrier, as PHCs are the main access points for health care in rural areas. The absence of functioning PHCs means that patients either go without care or must travel long distances, often to urban areas, to receive treatment.
  2. Out-of-Pocket Payments: Around 90% of Nigerians pay for health care services out of pocket, placing an enormous financial burden on poor families. This creates a cycle where poverty exacerbates poor health, and poor health leads to further poverty. According to the International Journal of Health and Management, catastrophic health expenditures have driven many households deeper into poverty. Only about 3% of Nigeria’s population has health insurance, and most of this coverage is employer-provided, leaving low-income earners and rural populations particularly vulnerable.
  3. Corruption and Mismanagement: Corrupt practices, which drain resources meant for public health facilities, worsen the inefficiency of Nigeria’s health care system. Funds intended for PHCs and other health services are often misappropriated, resulting in dilapidated facilities and a lack of essential medications and staff.

Here are some strategies for improving health care access.

Mobile Health Clinics

Bringing health care directly to communities is one effective solution to overcome physical barriers. Mobile health clinics and telemedicine services allow health care providers to reach remote or rural populations, reducing the need for travel and ensuring that patients receive care without excessive costs. For example, in states like Kaduna and Lagos, the government, in partnership with non-governmental organizations, has deployed mobile health units to provide essential health services such as maternal care, vaccinations and treatment for common diseases like malaria and tuberculosis. These clinics travel to remote areas, reaching populations that lack access to functioning PHCs.

This directly tackles the issue of insufficient primary health centers and ensures health care is more accessible, improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria. Mobile clinics have proven effective in bridging the gap in healthcare delivery by providing both preventive and curative services to Nigeria’s rural and underserved populations.

Insufficient Primary Health Centers

To tackle the lack of functioning PHCs, Nigeria must prioritize their revitalization. Strengthening these facilities can significantly improve access to health care for rural populations as they are the first point of contact for most vulnerable populations. 

The Basic Health care Provision Fund (BHCPF), a key initiative under the 2014 National Health Act, aims to ensure every Nigerian has access to a minimum package of health care services, particularly at the primary care level. 

However, inconsistent funding and state-level delays in implementation have limited its effectiveness. Ensuring that states contribute their share of the funds and improving oversight are essential to making the BHCPF work.

Expanding Micro Health Insurance

To reduce the reliance on out-of-pocket payments, micro health insurance has emerged as a solution tailored to the needs of low-income populations.

Providers like WellaHealth offer affordable packages that cover common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid, with access to doctors through telemedicine. These insurance models are particularly promising for rural and underserved communities, offering a pathway to affordable health care without the risk of financial ruin. They are part of the key to improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria. 

Addressing Corruption

Tackling corruption in the health care system is critical. Strengthening governance, improving transparency in the disbursement of health care funds, and increasing community oversight are necessary steps to ensure that resources intended for health care reach the people who need them most.

Improving access to health care for marginalized groups in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the key barriers of insufficient primary health centers, out-of-pocket payments and systemic corruption. Strengthening primary health facilities, expanding micro health insurance, deploying mobile health clinics, and enhancing governance are critical steps toward ensuring equitable healthcare access. By prioritizing these strategies and ensuring proper implementation, significant progress can be made towards improving access to healthcare for marginalized groups in Nigeria. 

– Edzhe Miteva

Edzhe is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Effects of Water Pollution in Pakistan

5 Effects of Water Pollution in PakistanCurrently, more than 21 million Pakistanis face a water sanitation crisis affecting the entire country. Major cities like Karachi and Lahore struggle to provide access to clean and safe drinking water. The situation is even more dire in rural villages that lack modern systems and adequate health care. The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources predicts that by 2025, the country will face extreme water shortages. Large-scale industrialization has contaminated many essential water sources, benefiting the economy but causing unchecked environmental damage. The pollution introduces high levels of chemical and biological toxins into the water. Understanding the top five effects of water pollution in Pakistan could help quantify the challenges faced by the population.

5 Effects of Water Pollution in Pakistan

  1. Waterborne Diseases. The outdated water distribution network in Pakistan, located near many industrial plants and sewage systems, introduces numerous toxins into the drinking water. Bacteria such as E-coli and Salmonella, when ingested, can be detrimental to health, leading to diseases such as typhoid, intestinal worms and cryptosporidium infections, which account for more than 40% of communicable diseases in Pakistan. Widespread poverty exacerbates the effects of these diseases, as many Pakistanis cannot afford the necessary medications.
  2. Infant Mortality.  The infant mortality rate in Pakistan is among the highest in developing nations, with water pollution playing a significant role due to the vulnerability of infants to harmful bacteria and fecal matter. According to UNICEF, only 35.8% of the Pakistani population has access to clean drinking water. Exposure to toxic bacteria during pregnancy and early childhood can lead to birth defects and early onset of severe diseases, both of which significantly increase the risk of infant mortality, especially given the limited access to medical care for many families.
  3. Agricultural Damage. Man-made agricultural fertilizers are a significant source of water pollution, which poses severe challenges to Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Given the country’s predominantly dry and hot climate, manufactured water sources are crucial for the survival of many farms. Additionally, small family-owned farms in numerous villages depend entirely on agricultural profits for their livelihood. The broader population also relies heavily on this produce for sustenance. Contaminated water, which harms more than it helps the plants, forces farmers to use scarce freshwater supplies. This situation creates substantial economic and social impacts due to the limited availability of clean water.
  4. Contaminated Food Products. Contaminated food products often result from crops irrigated with impure water. Livestock exposure to polluted water, contamination in marine waters and the use of pesticides and fertilizers further toxify essential resources. Without access to healthy, clean food for consumption and sale, many populations face starvation and life-threatening diseases.
  5. Decreased Biodiversity. Water pollution destroys numerous habitats, including lakes, rivers and ponds. Pollution renders them unable to support aquatic life due to chemical contamination and nutrient depletion. This disrupts food chains as smaller, less chemically resistant organisms die off, impacting species that rely on them for sustenance. Additionally, eutrophication, spurred by excessive nitrogen and phosphorus, triggers algae blooms that further degrade marine ecosystems by limiting sunlight and reducing energy available to aquatic species.

The Paani Project

The Paani Project, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is actively enhancing water quality in Pakistan. Founded by four Pakistani Americans seeking to address the water crisis, the nonprofit has developed more than 20,000 water systems since its inception. Additional projects include deepwater wells, solar wells and reverse osmosis plants. As of June 2024, Paani collaborates closely with local partners to identify the most suitable water solutions for each rural community, maximizing the impact of donations. The organization emphasizes transparency, providing donors with approximately 30 photos of the construction process, a video of the completed water system and a comprehensive water quality report.

Looking Ahead

Pakistan’s water crisis poses significant challenges, from waterborne diseases to agricultural damage, impacting millions of lives. Efforts by organizations like the Paani Project offer hope. Their tailored water solutions work to improve access and quality across the country. With a focus on addressing the immediate needs of affected communities, these ongoing initiatives contribute to mitigating the long-term effects of water pollution and ensuring a more sustainable future for Pakistan.

– Sophia Kharal

Sophia is based in San Jose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Mpox in India: Understanding the Outbreak and Response

Mpox in India: Understanding the Outbreak and Response India has confirmed its first case of a deadlier mpox strain, the clade Ib variant, in Kerala. Previously contained in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this strain is now spreading globally, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency. Authorities detected the case in a 38-year-old man who had recently traveled from Dubai and have identified 29 contacts for self-quarantine.

The Spread of Mpox in India

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. A global outbreak of the clade IIb strain occurred between 2022 and 2023. As of now, the mpox outbreak in India has primarily affected urban areas, especially New Delhi. Although the number of cases has not reached critical levels, there is concern about potential widespread transmission in densely populated regions. Public health officials are closely monitoring the situation, tracking cases and ensuring containment measures are in place.

India’s Public Health Response

India’s public health response to the mpox outbreak has been swift and coordinated. The central government has urged all states and Union territories to identify facilities and train personnel to manage both suspected and confirmed mpox cases. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has emphasized the importance of timely sample testing, isolating cases and conducting genome sequencing through the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to determine the virus clade.

States have received instructions to boost public health preparedness at state and district levels, establish isolation facilities and enforce strict infection control measures. Public awareness campaigns are underway to educate communities about the disease, its transmission and the importance of early reporting. Additionally, diagnostic capabilities are robust, with 36 labs supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and three commercial PCR kits approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to facilitate testing. These ongoing efforts aim to control the spread of mpox and protect public health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified India’s response and preparedness for the mpox outbreak following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Guidance from WHO has significantly shaped India’s response to mpox, providing best practices from other countries and offering frameworks to manage the disease within a broader public health context.

Looking Ahead

India has responded swiftly and proactively to the mpox outbreak, demonstrating a strong commitment to controlling the virus’s spread. Coordinated efforts at both national and state levels have enhanced diagnostic capabilities, established isolation facilities and promoted public awareness.

– Aneela Agha

Aneela is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aid in Kenya: Reducing Malaria and Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

UK Aid in Kenya: Reducing Malaria and Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Kenya, a country on the rise in East Africa, has seen significant economic growth over the past decade, driven by political and economic reforms. Yet, despite these advances, two-thirds of its population still lives in poverty. This staggering level of poverty continues to hold back many communities, limiting access to basic services like health care, education and housing. The battle against malaria remains one of the greatest health challenges these communities face. This disease not only claims lives but also keeps many families trapped in the poverty cycle. United Kingdom (U.K.) Aid in Kenya, through the Global Fund, is helping to address this challenge, reducing the burden of malaria and, in turn, alleviating poverty.

Malaria and Poverty

Malaria is a leading cause of illness and death in Kenya, particularly in rural areas, where access to health care services is limited. Beyond the health toll, malaria places a significant economic burden on families. Frequent bouts of illness reduce household income, as adults are unable to work and children miss school. In communities where families live on less than $2.15 a day, these disruptions reinforce the poverty cycle. Health care costs, such as treatments and hospital visits, often result in further financial strain. However, U.K. Aid Kenya and local NGOs supported by the Global Fund are working to bring malaria under control.

With targeted interventions such as distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and providing access to treatment, malaria transmission can be significantly reduced. By lowering malaria prevalence, communities can improve productivity, reduce health care costs and increase educational opportunities—key factors in breaking the cycle of poverty.

UK Aid in Kenya: Supporting the Global Fund

Global Fund to Fight AIDS is one of the key international efforts in the fight against Tuberculosis and Malaria. The U.K. is one of the largest contributors to the Global Fund, having pledged £1 billion for 2024 to 2026, aimed at combating these diseases globally. In Kenya, the U.K.’s contributions play a crucial role in reducing malaria cases and breaking the cycle of poverty that often accompanies this disease. Through the Global Fund, U.K. aid supports local NGOs such as Amref Health Africa and Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya), which are pivotal in implementing malaria prevention programs.

These organizations distribute millions of insecticide-treated bed nets, provide life-saving treatments and lead educational campaigns to prevent the spread of malaria. With U.K. aid, these efforts have been scaled up in malaria-endemic areas of Kenya, improving both health and economic outcomes for affected communities.

Success Stories

  • Amref Health Africa. Amref Health Africa, one of the largest health development organizations in Kenya, has been at the forefront of fighting malaria in rural areas. Supported by U.K. Aid through the Global Fund, Amref has made significant strides in malaria prevention and treatment. Amref has trained more than 1,591 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and 8,500 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) across 10 malaria-endemic counties, enhancing early diagnosis and treatment of malaria at the household level. In Nandi and Kericho counties, an additional 165 CHEWs and 815 CHVs were trained specifically to improve malaria prevention among pregnant women. These interventions have contributed to significant improvements in malaria management and reduced the disease burden in high-risk areas​. 
  • Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya). PS Kenya, supported by U.K. Aid through the Global Fund, has played a critical role in providing life-saving malaria treatments, particularly in Busia County, a malaria-endemic region in western Kenya. Through community case management, PS Kenya has tested more than 401,000 suspected malaria cases and treated more than 319,700 people with effective treatments such as artemether-lumefantrine in the past year. With 51% of cases managed at the community level by trained Community Health Promoters (CHPs), this intervention has significantly improved access to timely treatment. By focusing on vulnerable populations and enhancing community-based health systems, PS Kenya’s efforts are helping to alleviate the financial strain on families and reduce the incidence of malaria, which in turn contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty in affected regions​.

Looking Forward

The U.K.’s aid support through the Global Fund has had a measurable impact on reducing malaria in Kenya. By funding local NGOs like Amref Health Africa and Population Services Kenya, U.K. aid is helping to reduce malaria transmission, lower health care costs and improve productivity in vulnerable communities. From 2010 to 2020, the prevalence of malaria in Kenya decreased by 49% nationwide, demonstrating the effectiveness and utmost importance of these interventions. Crucially, these health programs are addressing one of the root causes of poverty by reducing the economic strain caused by frequent illness and enabling families to invest in education and productivity. As Kenya continues to grow economically, eliminating malaria could be key to ensuring that all its citizens can thrive and share in the country’s prosperity.

– Safa Musa

Safa is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poliovirus Outbreak in Gaza

poliovirus outbreak in gazaAfter 25 years, children in Gaza are experiencing a poliovirus outbreak. Health officials have stated that there are links between the virus in Egypt and the poliovirus outbreak in Gaza, which is currently experiencing an outbreak in the middle of the war. The United Nations and local health officials launched a vaccination campaign in September 2024, hoping to reach as many children as possible. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has said Israel agreed to limited pauses in the fighting to facilitate the campaign,” AP News reports.

Background

Polio’s infection spreads quickly and painfully, especially in contaminated situations and conditions. It transmits from person to person, especially in contaminated water. Due to the war in Gaza, the water supply has been tainted with and contaminated with excrement. The Israeli army devastated the water supply and the wastewater disposal networks throughout the entirety of the Palestinian territory, according to Al Jazeera. This causes the wastewater to reach hundreds to thousands of civilian homes, forcing them to move to safer and healthier conditions.

“According to the Government Media Office in Gaza, the Israeli army has also stopped transferring the waste away from civilian areas by imposing control over waste dumps and targeting municipality workers, machinery and mechanisms in place to manage waste,” said Al Jazeera.

Cases of Polio in Gaza

Gaza reported one case of the polio virus in September 2024. The case is of a 10-month-old little boy, who is now paralyzed in both his legs, according to AP News. One confirmed case of polio leads to a few more suspected cases of polio, which leads to an outbreak of poliovirus in Gaza. According to Dr Majdi Duhair, scientifically speaking, one confirmed case of polio is an outbreak. One case of the polio virus can lead to at least 200 more infected people with no symptoms, NPR reports.

“Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving on to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the strip,” AP News reports.

The Poliovirus Campaign

The poliovirus affects children under the age of 5 and affects the unvaccinated. Since the discovery of the poliovirus in July 2024, the campaign fighting the poliovirus outbreak in Gaza has received support from WHO, UNICEF, UNRWA and the Ministry of Health in Gaza. The campaign has about 2,700 health workers moving to different parts of Gaza throughout September. The first round of polio vaccinations began at the end of August and only covered a few children. According to Al Jazeera, the campaign aims to give oral polio vaccine drops to 640,000 children under 10.

“But we know from our experience in so many places that we have to implement at least two large-scale vaccination campaigns with the novel oral polio vaccine type two that achieves high levels of coverage to stop transmission,” said Hamid Jafari from CSIS.

Outbreak During a War

On August 16, 2024, U.N. Secretary-General Guterres called for a seven-day cease-fire. The cease-fire was to allow the campaign to safely move around Gaza during the poliovirus outbreak, looking for families with children under 10 years old to administer the oral vaccine. According to NPR, reaching all the families in Gaza is difficult. The war has moved people out of their homes, making them move to find a safe haven every hour. The campaign’s goal is to reach 90% of the children in Gaza. Since the territory is extensive and vulnerable, the campaign has more than 200 teams going around the entire territory to eradicate the disease.

“We go from shelter to shelter and tent to tent. People are literally everywhere. In the middle of the street, you have people living by the beach. So the idea is to reach every child wherever they are,” said Juliette Touma for NPR.

Conclusion

The poliovirus outbreak in Gaza is a result of the conditions Gaza is under because of the war. The ceasefire allowed for 558,963 children under 10 to receive oral drops of the vaccine. The goal of the 12-day campaign was to reach 640,000 children, but that was difficult since families were scattered all over Gaza on the streets, in tents, shelters, etc. because of the war. But each day health officials are reaching more families with their teams and area planning. According to Dr Richard Peeperkorn from the WHO, the campaign is a symbol or a show of the possibilities of peace in the world if given a chance to act.

– Ashley Diaz

Ashley is based in Homestead, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Battling Diseases in El Salvador

Diseases in El Salvador
El Salvador is a country in the west of Central America. The country is the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries. Countries with dense populations tend to have more problems with disease. The dense population, among other factors, has led to the rise of diseases in El Salvador.

The Impact of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes tend to spread diseases in El Salvador, similar to many Central and South American countries. This is partly due to the hot climate. The CDC has warned against several diseases that mosquitos pass when traveling to El Salvador. One of these diseases is Zika. For most, Zika is a minor inconvenience. Some of the symptoms include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Although uncommon, it is possible for zika to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes one’s immune system to attack their nerve cells. The people most at risk with Zika are pregnant women. Zika can cause serious birth defects in the child and other pregnancy problems.

Although mosquitoes are dangerous, they are not the only insects that can cause problems. Leishmaniasis is spread from the bite of a sand fly. Sand flies are present in many areas, including Central America. There are three forms of the disease. The first is cutaneous, which causes skin sores, the second is mucosal, which causes sores in the nose, mouth and throat and visceral, which impacts internal organs. The first two forms can lead to lifelong disability if left untreated. Meanwhile, the last one has a 90% mortality rate without treatment, making it one of the most dangerous diseases in El Salvador.

Leptospirosis

Bug bites and other diseased animals are a very common vector for disease, but far from the only ones. Leptospirosis is spread through urine, body fluids and contaminated water. Leptospirosis is not as common in Latin America as the other diseases, but El Salvador still has 4.65 cases per 100,000 people. Some symptoms include high temperature, headache, body aches and pains, stomach ache, diarrhea and yellowing of the skin. The survival rate depends on the severity of the disease, but in severe cases, the mortality rate is around 40%. Unfortunately, El Salvador has some of the most polluted water in Latin America. Some causes for the issue are considered poor waste management and overexploitation from companies. One can attribute both of these to the country’s poverty. The poverty rate in El Salvador is higher than the Latin American and Caribbean average.

Tuberculosis

Although one can take precautions to avoid bugs and contaminated water, prevention is more difficult when a disease is airborne. One example is tuberculosis. The disease is not  as common in El Salvador as it is in other countries, as there are 49 cases per 100,000 people. However, it is still on the watchlist for traveling to El Salvador. Some symptoms of tuberculosis are an extended cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever and sweating at night. Tuberculosis can be fatal without treatment.

Bill S.288

Bill S.288 aims to refocus U.S. actions on prevention, address virulent drug-resistant TB strains and provide support for the best practices and technologies in TB diagnosis and treatment. The bill establishes new goals for U.S. efforts and employs prevention and treatment suggestions based on the latest scientific data while also increasing accountability and transparency. The last action on the bill was that it was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Although fighting these diseases can be hard for governments it is not impossible. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified El Salvador as malaria-free. This was the final result of a 50 year commitment by the government to fight Malaria, making them the first country in Central America to be malaria-free. This was accomplished through vector control, early detection, rapid treatment, community engagement and education, international funding and overall government commitment to the cause.  

The World Mosquito Program

Some organizations like the World Mosquito program are helping to fight diseases spread by mosquitos all over the world. In 2022, El Salvador’s Ministry of Public Health announced they would collaborate with the World Mosquito program for the Wolbachia project. The Wolbachia project is releasing non biting male mosquitos into areas with high disease rates. These mosquitoes hold a bacteria which prevents eggs they produce with females from hatching.

Looking Ahead

In conclusion, the dense population and tropical climate of El Salvador create a challenging environment for controlling the spread of various diseases. Mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika and Leishmaniasis, as well as rodent-transmitted diseases such as hantavirus, pose significant health risks. Additionally, diseases like leptospirosis and tuberculosis highlight the complexity of the health landscape. Despite these challenges, El Salvador’s achievement of being declared malaria-free by the WHO demonstrates that with sustained effort and effective public health strategies, progress is possible. Continued support from global organizations and comprehensive health initiatives are essential to further reduce the burden of infectious diseases and improve public health in El Salvador.

– Matthew Mendives

Matthew  is based in Colonia, NJ and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A Look at Malaria in Ghana

Malaria in GhanaGhana is located in Western Africa and sits on the Gulf of Guinea. It boasts a fairly high gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, at $2,203. Nearby countries, such as its neighbor Togo, sit at $942. Despite the high income, the nation is suffering one of its largest economic crises, marked by rampant inflation.

As a result, poverty is widespread, affecting approximately 24% of its 33.48 million residents. This translates to around 8 million people living below the poverty line. Many of these individuals face significant hardships, including health challenges. Malaria, in particular, has been a persistent and severe issue for Ghana.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is caused by five types of parasites, with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax being the most severe. While malaria is found in various regions globally, it is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana.

In 2022, 94% of malaria cases occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Although malaria is both preventable and curable, it is a serious and rapidly progressing disease that requires prompt treatment. Ensuring those at risk have continuous access to necessary care is crucial for combating this dangerous illness.

How Does Malaria Impact Ghana?

In 2022, Africa experienced a massive malaria outbreak, with approximately 249 million cases and more than 608,000 deaths reported. Ghana alone recorded 5.3 million cases and 11,557 deaths. Although the outbreak has subsided, Ghana’s vulnerable health care system, which receives only 4% of the country’s GDP in funding, remains at risk for future malaria outbreaks.

With little spending on health care, Ghana’s system is weak, making it challenging for many citizens to access efficient care. Coupled with widespread poverty, affording medications is a struggle for many. Although a national health care insurance program exists, about 48% of the population is not enrolled. The combination of a weak health care system and a significant amount of people in poverty means that the country stands at a higher risk of outbreaks and infections.

What Is Being Done?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with Ghana to combat malaria, achieving significant progress. Notably, they facilitated the distribution of the world’s first malaria vaccine to 708,970 children nationwide. Furthermore, WHO introduced the National Malaria Strategic Elimination Plan to eradicate malaria in Ghana.

In addition to WHO, other organizations are actively combating malaria in Ghana. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in collaboration with the United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has made significant contributions. They have distributed insecticides nationwide to protect against mosquito bites, provided malaria chemoprevention to more than one million children and delivered approximately 2.8 million doses of preventive medicine.

Final Note on Malaria in Ghana

Ghana continues to face significant challenges, including persistent poverty and various systemic issues. However, the efforts of WHO and USAID have yielded positive results. The country’s health system is gradually improving and receiving increased government funding. While eradicating poverty in Ghana will be a lengthy process, eliminating malaria will undoubtedly enhance the quality of life for many, especially those living in poverty.

– Tyra Brantly

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

Photo: Flickr

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A New Hope for Health Care in Guinea

A New Hope for Health Care in Guinea Guinea is a country in West Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to nature reserves that hold a forested mountain range rich with native plants and animals. However, despite this preserved nature, the people of Guinea lack basic living standards.  About three-quarters of the Guinea population experience extreme poverty. They have a lack of education, health care and hygiene. This lack of adequate health care has made Guinea home to many diseases. These diseases, specifically lower-respiratory infections are the cause of 99.9% of deaths in the country. The prices of health care and the low amounts of health professionals per population are the main causes of the lack of adequate health care. However, significant improvements have been made through initiatives by the USAID to improve the quality of health care.

Disease Prevalence in Guinea

Guinea hosts all kinds of diseases, both communicable and noncommunicable and some endemic diseases. The most prevalent diseases within Guinea are Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Neglected Tropical diseases. There are 4.5 million cases of Malaria a year which caused 9,439 deaths in 2021. Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS affect every 175 in 10,000 people. Though they have treatments and detection systems it is hard for these to operate in Guinea due to the low coverage of Tuberculosis services, human resources shortages and lack of follow-ups among patients. Many Neglected Tropical Diseases such as Leprosy, Rabies, Buruli ulcer, foodborne trematodes and many more are also prevalent within the region. 

Immunization Challenges and Systematic Issues

Another area besides diseases that cause poor health practices for the Guinean people is the lack of immunization. Many children are zero-dose children meaning they have never had a vaccine in their life. Only 24% of the 192,000 children born each year receive a complete cycle of vaccinations. This leads to the furtherance of these preventable diseases and causes endemics.

Evolution of Guinea’s Health Care System

Between 1986 and 1989, the privatization of health care began to grow in Guinea, ultimately raising the cost of care and making it inaccessible to the majority of the population. Currently, health care remains expensive and the quality of care is unsatisfactory. As of 2008, only 5% of the population had coverage under public health insurance. Guinea’s health care system has a pyramidal structure, featuring three national hospitals, one regional hospital in each of the seven regions and a prefectural hospital in each of the 33 prefectures. Despite the seemingly comprehensive system, there is a critical shortage of health care workers. The distribution of these workers is also uneven: 60% of health care workers are located in Conakry, the capital, which is home to only 20% of the population. Consequently, Guinea’s health care system suffers from a severe lack of accessible care and health care professionals.

Launch of Notre Sante Initiative by USAID

Notre Sante or “Our Health”, is a USAID initiative launched in June 2023 to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality health care in Guinea. The project aims to operate across 15 prefectures in the regions of Labé, Boké and Kindia, as well as the six communes of Conakry. It plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene and engage both private and public sectors. Notre Sante focuses on improving provider behavior and delivering care in a culturally sensitive manner that involves community members and builds on best practices. The launch of this initiative marks significant progress toward enhancing health care for the people of Guinea.

Future Prospects for Health Care in Guinea

Guinea’s health care system has struggled with inadequate services and a shortage of health care professionals. However, the introduction of the Notre Sante initiative offers hope for improving the quality of life for the people of Guinea. Notre Sante aims to make health care affordable, accessible and high-quality, signaling a hopeful future for the trajectory of Guinea’s health care system.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health and Vector-Borne diseases

Vector-Borne DiseasesVector-borne diseases comprise 17% of known infectious diseases, like malaria, Dengue fever and West Nile virus. Vector-borne diseases result from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by vectors. Despite causing millions of cases each year worldwide, adverse climatic conditions can worsen the global burden of these infections and negatively impact human health.

Effect of Adverse Weather on Vector-Borne Diseases

Vectors are sensitive to their environments. An increase in the earth’s average temperature presents a difficult challenge for addressing vector populations, as altered weather patterns and temperature changes affect vectors directly and indirectly. Rising temperatures can increase the speed of vector life cycles and breeding, which can increase vector populations and the speed of pathogen replication in hosts.

Indirectly, the weather changes impact the habitats and environments where these vectors exist and can change their geographic range and distribution. Mosquitoes, for example, breed in stagnant water; increased precipitation in some areas can amplify the number of vector breeding sites. These long-term changing weather patterns can increase vector’s geographic range, as warmer winter temperatures allow vector species to live in a larger area, increasing the range of the infections they spread to humans.

The burden of vector-borne diseases is highest in tropical and subtropical areas, disproportionately affecting the most impoverished populations. Malaria is one of the most prevalent vector-borne diseases globally, with an estimated 219 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of these deaths occur in children under five, with mosquitoes being the primary transmission vector.

Helpful Organizations

Many international organizations focus on this issue, working with the public health perspective and tackling changing climatic conditions to safeguard human health. GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, has played a crucial role in combating vector-borne diseases by funding and supporting the distribution of vaccines for diseases such as yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. GAVI-supported yellow fever campaigns in more than 10 African countries protected more than 130 million people. Its efforts have significantly increased vaccination coverage in low-income countries, reducing the incidence of these diseases and enhancing human health security.

While Gavi seeks immunization coverage for many diseases, the Malaria Elimination Initiative (MEI) focuses on eliminating malaria through surveillance and response, vector control, program management and drugs and diagnostics. MEI has a global focus and projects in South America, sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. MEI has made significant progress in working at national, regional and international levels. Furthermore, the Nature Conservancy is an international organization with multiple priorities, including improving resilience for vulnerable habitats and communities, working with governments on clean energy policies and maximizing natural carbon storage opportunities through habitat conservation and agriculture practices.

Conclusion

The impact of changing temperatures on vector-borne infectious diseases is profound, exacerbating their global burden and highlighting the need for targeted investments and improvements. Investing in outbreak responses and enhancing disease surveillance systems is crucial to counter the increased infection potential from changing climatic conditions. These strategies can reduce exposure to vectors and susceptibility to vector-borne diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations. Additionally, investing in ecosystem stabilization and forest and wetland preservation can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit climate variability and contain vector habitats.

– Hodges Day

Hodges is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Initiatives and Diseases in Somalia

Diseases in SomaliaFor a long period, Somalia has been a vulnerable target for many infectious diseases. Some of the leading factors can be attributed to the humanitarian crises of malnutrition, mass displacement and lack of access to clean water and food, as well as the several years of drought that started in 2015. With that said, here are three diseases in Somalia and the initiatives combating them.

Cholera

Cholera is a bacterial disease transmitted through contaminated water and food sources, posing a risk of mortality if left untreated. In 2024, there was another cholera outbreak after the flooding of El Niño rains. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), 980 cases were reported in the first two weeks of January, with 55% of them being children. The number of reported cases has been increasing for the past few years. The year 2023 experienced a 15% increase from the previous year, while there was a 48% increase in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

As of May 27, 2024, there were more than 10,000 cases and 120 deaths across the country since January. The outbreak also destroyed farmlands, which worsened the poverty and malnutrition among families across Somalia. As with other humanitarian crises, the cholera outbreak affected the vulnerable groups the most, adding to their instability with a lack of sanitation facilities, medical treatment and food.

As a response to address the public cholera crisis in Somalia, the National Cholera Task Force has been activated and the IRC has stepped up. The IRC has made an effort to mitigate the impact of the cholera outbreak by providing humanitarian aid such as clean drinking water and proper sanitation materials to affected populations. The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) also allocated $2 million to the cholera outbreak in Somalia.

Measles

Measles is a contagious disease with symptoms such as high fever and rash and it carries a risk of potential death. In Somalia, measles is prevalent, with cases reported annually. As of February 2024, there have been 3,365 reported cases and 37 deaths since the beginning of the year. This significant rise is due to limited access to health care services, medical supplies, proper sanitation, safe water and lowered immunity due to acute malnutrition. The risk is further aggravated among vulnerable communities due to low vaccination rates, widespread malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency among children younger than 5 years old.

Amid the measles crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) responded by providing technical support on surveillance, vaccination, case management, training of health care workers and risk communication. In addition, in the last week of April 2024, Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Health, the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partnered to increase the immunization rate among children in Somalia.

Past initiatives include administering 933,000 vaccinations in January of 2018 through a campaign partnered with WHO, UNICEF and national and local health authorities. UNICEF also provided 4.7 million doses of vaccines and 1,700 social mobilizers to facilitate the vaccination programs with vitamin A supplementation.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is another public health problem in Somalia. TB is a serious infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that affects the lungs. In 2023, there were 246 TB cases per 100,000 population in Somalia. According to WHO, some of the factors related to TB transmission and progression are crowded and poorly ventilated living environments, undernutrition and limited general health knowledge. In other words, poverty correlates with TB cases, increasing the vulnerability of Somalia’s population.

In March of 2024, WHO Somalia, jointly with the Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services, marked World TB Day 2024 with continuous reinvigorated determination to end the TB epidemic. Since 1995, Somalia’s TB program has made significant progress in controlling the TB epidemic in Somalia. The program is based on WHO’s End TB Strategy, adopting WHO’s diagnostic and treatment regimens.

In 2023, TB cases decreased by 14% compared to 2010. Additionally, the number of TB treatment centers increased from seven in 1995 to 109 in 2023. The program saved 184,052 lives with TB cases from 2010 to 2023, with an average treatment success rate of 87%. With a renewed commitment to combat the TB epidemic, Somalia will continue to control TB and save the lives of its people.

Conclusion

Cholera, Measles and Tuberculosis are three of many diseases in Somalia, affecting thousands of people’s lives. With the increase in outbreak cases, there is also an active effort to mitigate the impact of diseases. According to Minister of Health Dr Ali Haji Adam Abubakar, the introduction of new vaccines, including Rotavirus and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines, is also expected to help Somalia combat other diseases that are taking the lives of many children.

Despite ongoing instability and disease outbreaks, with collective and concerted effort, Somalia would be able to keep diseases affecting the population under control and save the lives of Somali citizens.

– Sein Kim

Sein is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr