Archive for category: Disease

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Clinics on Wheels: Improving Health Care in Punjab

Health Care in PunjabImproving the health care infrastructure in Punjab, Pakistan, is a challenge. For instance, access to health care may demand long waits in queues that can take away a day’s work and earnings, making it unfeasible. Structural problems are common. There is not enough investment, many constraints on resources and access to essential medicines and equipment is limited.

Urban slums pose a particular challenge to improving health care infrastructure in Punjab. The Punjab Urban Slum Survey, conducted by the Punjab Bureau of Statistics, notes that roughly 7.2 million people reside in urban slums across the district. These urban slum dwellers make up a significant portion of the 128 million people in Punjab.

According to the Punjab Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2019-2020, this portion of the population may be characterized as having more limited access to preventive and curative health services. The PDHS also showed that only 57.2% of slum dwellers can access health facilities.

Improving Health Care Infrastructure in Punjab

The Clinics on Wheels program is improving the health care infrastructure in Punjab with free, quality health care provision. Launched in 2024 by the Punjab provincial government, the initiative sees mobile clinic vans serving underserved residents who have no access to basic health care in densely populated urban settlements.

The main aim of Clinics on Wheels is to reach those living in densely populated urban areas and remote regions where there are significant barriers to accessing health facilities. The mobile clinics aim to eliminate the barriers of distance, cost and availability, ensuring that timely medical services and a suitable health infrastructure are put into place in Punjab.

There are about 244 Clinics on Wheels operating across the district. Most of the vehicles, 202 of them, are mobilized for transporting medicines and staff to those in need. In addition, about 42 carry mobile ultrasound facilities. Initiatives offered include doctors, diagnostics and medicines delivered at the community level, as well as free medicines delivered to the doorsteps of underserved residents.

Tangible Results in Improving Health Care in Punjab

Dr. Ehsan Ghani, Chief Executive Officer of the District Health Authority Rawalpindi, said that the mobile clinics have resulted in timely diagnoses and provide an effective referral system that ensures complex cases reach major hospitals promptly. He added that each van is staffed with a vaccinator who administers missed or incomplete vaccines to children in the field, helping to bridge the gap between the growing population and immunization needs. According to Ghani, this has improved vaccination rates and supported progress in the fight against diseases such as polio.

Ghani has said that with expansion, Clinics on Wheels has the potential to bring health care services to even more people across Punjab. In January 2026, it was announced that the Punjab government would involve the private sector in the project to improve its performance.

Looking Ahead

The goal of equitable health care infrastructure is that no citizen has to go without medical provision and Clinics on Wheels offers a practical solution to make the transport of doctors and medicines accessible. The campaign has been promoted as care that reaches every doorstep, providing services regardless of income or location.

Improving health care infrastructure in Punjab through initiatives such as Clinics on Wheels may help reduce the health care burden and improve overall health outcomes for Punjab’s population. Clinics on Wheels sits alongside other health care initiatives, including the CM Insulin Program, which offers free insulin for children with Type 1 diabetes, and the Chief Minister’s Children Heart Surgery Program, which offers cardiac surgeries for children. Together, these programs reflect ongoing efforts to expand health care access across Punjab.

– Suneel Mehmi

Suneel is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Stigma: Poverty and Leprosy in Bangladesh

Leprosy in BangladeshBangladesh is a South Asian country bordered by India and Myanmar, with a population of more than 177 million. Some 18.7% of the population lives in poverty, due in part to neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy, which limit individuals’ ability to work and access education.

The bacteria Mycobacterium leprae cause leprosy, a chronic infectious disease. The disease mainly affects skin cells and can cause permanent disabilities when people do not receive timely treatment or detection. Bangladesh ranks fifth highest in the world for the number of leprosy cases, so eradicating the disease in the country is a priority, especially since people can be completely cured of it.

Leprosy is a disease that creates stigmatization against those affected, making employment difficult. Combined with medical costs, this creates a high correlation between leprosy and poverty. Areas with poor living conditions and food insecurity also tend to have an increased risk of contracting leprosy, highlighting the relationship between leprosy and poverty.

The eradication of leprosy will improve the livelihood of millions, not just in Bangladesh but also in the other 120 countries still affected by the curable disease. Tropical diseases tend to be neglected from the global health agenda and usually cause stigma. This article will discuss the impact of fighting stigma and how leprosy and poverty can be reduced together.

The Leprosy Mission in Bangladesh

The Leprosy Mission in Bangladesh (TLMIB) is a nonprofit organization focused on the eradication of leprosy in North Bangladesh. With a focus derived from six key values — compassion, justice, integrity, inclusion, humility and collaboration — its work has supported the livelihood of those with leprosy and helped them regain their dignity.

Since 2007, TLMIB has set up 700 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in North Bangladesh, a step toward long-term, sustainable change. Leprosy and poverty were seen by the organization to go hand in hand, and these SHGs allowed those impacted to access food and find community with others who share similar experiences, especially as leprosy is widely discriminated against.

SHGs have group deposits, which encourage positive financial habits and help members rebuild their lives together. Since 2007, SHGs across the region have grown, with members integrating back into society with less stigma and fewer financial problems. This is significant when considering leprosy and poverty, as it shows that if leprosy is prioritized, many people’s livelihoods can change, enabling them to move to a life above the poverty line.

U.N. Initiatives and Government Aims

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has committed to eradicating the disease through the Zero Leprosy Initiative by 2030. The initiative aims to eradicate the disease, prevent disability and remove stigma.

Additionally, the government has decided to increase the number of disability centers in the country and integrate them into the existing health care system. Policymakers have also suggested earlier diagnosis and skills training for people affected by leprosy, both to remove stigma and directly address the link between leprosy and poverty. The Persons with Disabilities’ Rights and Protection Act, implemented in 2013, drives this focus on leprosy in the country.

The United Nations (U.N.) has worked with Beatriz Miranda-Galarza to raise awareness of leprosy. Miranda-Galarza has coordinated the BRIDGES and SARSHE projects in Indonesia and Brazil, strengthening the dialogue around leprosy in the disability movement. This work supports efforts against stigma and helps build better lives after the disease, again highlighting the link between leprosy and poverty.

Looking Ahead

Nonprofits such as TLMIB and the work by the government of Bangladesh demonstrate that leprosy and poverty can be reduced together by removing stigma and prioritizing long-term, sustainable change. These efforts make independence accessible to people with disabilities, allowing them to learn positive financial habits and build stable lives.

Although Bangladesh still needs to reduce leprosy cases, the progress so far points to measurable change across the country. Chile recently became the first country in the Americas to completely eradicate leprosy, showing that the goal is achievable for other countries committed to the cause.

– Caitlin Cooper

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

Photo: Flickr

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5 Nonprofits Working to End Polio in Yemen

Polio in YemenIn recent decades, Yemen has faced crisis after crisis, with war, drought, disease and famine simultaneously affecting a vulnerable population. The presence of polio in Yemen is another challenge to an already struggling population. Several nonprofits are working toward its eradication. Below are insights into five of the most important.

The Impact of COVID-19

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and the health care efforts of many of the world’s largest nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were disrupted, the people of many developing nations suffered, including those of Yemen.

Roughly 25 million infants worldwide did not receive potentially lifesaving vaccinations, the largest regression in vaccination data in more than 30 years. In Yemen, the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and protracted conflict resulted in national vaccination rates falling sharply, with declines of 25% in certain months of 2020. In 2024, 580,000 children in Yemen were recorded as zero-dose, a crisis demanding a multilateral response.

Beginning in 2023, several major global partners in public health, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, formed The Big Catch-up, a program working to reverse the damage to immunization progress caused by the pandemic. The project is making progress in eradicating poliovirus worldwide. With around 85% of all children affected by polio living in the most volatile states, this effort is significant. The following five organizations are at the forefront of the fight against polio in Yemen.

5 Nonprofits Working to End Polio in Yemen

  1. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative. At the center of global efforts for complete immunization against poliovirus, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), in collaboration with the federal government, is making considerable progress in early detection and surveillance of outbreaks. With an over 80% early detection rate for key symptoms, its work is an important stage in the immunization process and gives patients essential time for treatment and recovery. This progress has been made despite the adverse conditions in Yemen, which the GPEI categorizes as one of several “consequential geographies” that complicate eradication efforts. Its work in collaboration with global partners reflects continued developments being made in a post-pandemic world.
  2. UNICEF. In the summer of 2025, UNICEF and the WHO began a vaccination campaign against polio in Yemen, aiming to reach more than 1.3 million children in the nation’s most stable regions. Working with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, UNICEF provided and supported almost 7,000 vaccination teams, including 6,000 mobile units, to deliver intervention before the outbreak that began in 2021 grew further. With 98% of the 282 cases recorded between 2021 and July 2025 occurring in children under 5, the focus of UNICEF’s actions is on early-life immunization. Peter Hawkins, the UNICEF Representative to Yemen, said that vaccination is the way to keep children safe.
  3. The International Organization for Migration. While not a health care-focused nonprofit, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is an ally in organizing and delivering immunization programs. In the absence of a reliable national infrastructure, on-the-ground specialists support health care workers in accessing and administering vaccines. Working in both permanent communities and large populations now living in internal displacement camps, the IOM’s insights into the requirements and challenges in these areas have supported operatives with specialist advice. The IOM also continues to engage in awareness initiatives aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Reaching 31,000 people in 2024 alone, the campaign has helped address a significant obstacle to a successful polio vaccine rollout.
  4. Islamic Relief U.K. A major provider of health care and hospital aid across Yemen and the wider region, Islamic Relief U.K. has a track record of supporting Yemen’s under-resourced health care facilities. By providing otherwise inaccessible technology and provisions to health care centers facing extreme budgetary limitations and violent attacks, the organization enables them to continue their work. The functionality of these centers is essential to the operations of a campaign against poliovirus and to support the health care needs of a country facing significant challenges.
  5. The Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation. As one of the leading nonprofits operating in Yemen, the Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation (YRRF) is engaged in efforts across the spectrum of national issues. With a diverse portfolio of funding, its efforts are focused on the most pressing crises and preventative measures. The support offered to medical centers and laboratories represents a key approach to long-term eradication of poliovirus. A 2025 investment by the foundation into the National Central Public Health Laboratories in Sana’a supports the laboratory’s work in serving patients from numerous governorates and its capacity to perform diagnostic tests that can detect polio at an early, non-critical stage. This funding and specialist support offer Yemen a domestic, sustainable means to address the threat of poliovirus to its child population through the collaboration of all five nonprofits listed here.

Looking Ahead

The work of each of these nonprofits is bringing Yemen closer to eradicating polio, but continued public and government support is needed. Increased funding and sustained international attention can help complete this work, securing the future health of children in Yemen and beyond.

– Evan Meikle

Evan is based in Kingston upon Hull, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diagnostic Tampons: Fighting Cervical Cancer in Latin America

Cervical Cancer Latin AmericaCervical cancer represents one of the most pressing yet preventable crises in global health. It remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with 94% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, a stark testament to the role that inequality plays in who survives this disease. Indigenous women bear a disproportionate share of this burden, with some of the highest incidence rates concentrated in Central America.

Positively, vaccines for this disease are extremely effective, when administered at a young age HPV vaccine prevents infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has the goal to reduce the number of annual cases of cervical cancer to fewer than four per 100,000 women. Despite having such effective vaccines, a major issue lies with the accessibility and distribution of diagnostic tests and the subsequent intervention provision.

Cervical Cancer in Latin America

While the WHO’s elimination goal is ambitious, the reality for Latin America tells a different story – cervical cancer deaths in the region are projected to surpass 51,500 by 2030, with 89% of those occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean. Women across the region feel the burden. In El Salvador, 2.53 million women aged 15 and older are at risk of developing cervical cancer, representing a significant proportion of the country’s 6.3 million population.

The picture is similarly concerning in Guatemala, where 6.10 million women face the same risk out of a population of 18.6 million. Compounding this, HPV vaccination coverage in Guatemala stands at just 35%, with only 15% of individuals completing their final dose. El Salvador fares only marginally better at 43%, a figure that still falls well short of the WHO’s 90% target.

An example of how improved vaccination rates reduce prevalence and mortality together can be observed from Costa Rica. Here the Crude incidence rates sit at 14.4 for females with HPV-related cancers.

Prevention

A recurring challenge across the region is lack of awareness surrounding HPV, its link to cervical cancer, and the safety of available vaccines. In many indigenous and rural communities, misinformation and limited access to health education contribute to the low vaccination uptake seen in countries like Guatemala and El Salvador. Addressing this through community-led outreach and culturally sensitive health programs could be a foundational step towards closing the gap.

The Cervical Cancer Foundation works in collaboration with non-profits to lobby for legislative change and vitally provide health training to educate communities on the importance of HPV screening and available vaccines. Crucially, they provide cervical cancer prevention strategies within Latin America to aid in the reduction of this gap. With financial support from the Union of International Cancer Control, they aim to train more than 200 health educators from El Salvador to Costa Rica.

Screening

Yet even when education and vaccination efforts improve, a separate challenge remains: screening. The WHO’s elimination framework calls for screening of 70% of women with high-performance tests by the age of 35 and again by 45. In much of Latin America, this target is still far due to a shortage of trained gynaecologists, limited clinical infrastructure and the geographic remoteness of many at-risk communities. This is where an emerging technology may offer a meaningful solution- the diagnostic tampon.

A recent and applicable advancement for HPV has been analysed and assessed for usage in other LMIC’s. For example, in Tanzania, the use of diagnostic tampons has emerged as a promising, accurate method for cervical cancer screening. This reduces the need for trips to far or inaccessible hospitals for rural communities and those most at risk.

Studies comparing the accuracy of diagnostic tampons with clinician-collected samples for detecting HPV further corroborate this, demonstrating that use of diagnostic tampons has an overall accuracy of 95%, proving an easily implementable and highly specific screening tool.

Looking ahead

The diagnostic tampon is not a standalone solution. Eliminating cervical cancer in Latin America could require sustained investment across the entire health care system- from early education and vaccine distribution mechanisms to clinical infrastructure. However, this diagnostic tampon does represent significant advancements: practical and high-accuracy screening tools which meet women where they are rather than navigating systems which have historically excluded them. Thus, integrating this screening tool into existing public health frameworks, further backed by education, political will and adequate funding, offers a credible path towards turning the tide on one of the more preventable cancers.

– Juliette Dall’Aglio

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

Photo: Flickr

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Improvement in the Treatment of TB in Kenya

TB in KenyaTuberculosis (TB) is a condition that mostly affects a person’s lungs but can also spread to other parts of the body. TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which circulates through the air and spreads when inhaled. TB has been a persistent public health challenge in Kenya. According to the National Library of Medicine, TB is the fifth leading cause of death in the country. However, there has been a noticeable improvement in treating TB in Kenya. The director of the African region of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Diallo Abdourahmane, stated that Kenya reduced TB cases by 41% and TB-related deaths by 60%. This progress is attributed to treatments such as preventive therapy, the BPaL regimen and digital adherence technologies.

Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment

One treatment used today is tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT). Its goal is to prevent certain individuals from developing active TB by administering anti-tuberculosis medicine. The treatment destroys bacteria that have infected the body before they can harm organs or spread the illness. TPT specifically targets people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV weakens the body’s ability to fight infections, making individuals more vulnerable to TB. It is recommended for HIV patients to undergo this treatment to reduce the chance of developing TB. The preferred course consists of three months (3HP), during which the antibiotics isoniazid and rifapentine are taken once a week. However, this prescription may interact with other medicines, so each patient’s case should be considered individually.

BPaL Regimen

The BPaL regimen is a treatment course lasting six months. The WHO has recommended it as an alternative to lengthier treatments. The regimen combines four antibiotic medications: bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin. It targets drug-resistant TB, a form of the disease that does not respond to some standard medications. This treatment is primarily for adult patients and teenagers older than 14. Studies have shown a success rate of 89%, making it more effective than previous regimens.

Digital Adherence Technology

TB treatment outcomes have also improved with digital adherence technology (DAT). DAT refers to digital tools that use technological devices to record a patient’s daily medication information. Examples include smart pill boxes and medication sleeves. Researchers believe DAT motivates individuals with TB to take their daily medication consistently.

A 2026 study evaluated whether certain digital interventions improved TB treatment outcomes. The study found that digital platforms such as Keheala reduced the percentage of failed TB treatments, supporting the use of digital tools in TB care. DAT offers several benefits. Patients can choose the most suitable time to take their medication, fitting it into their routine. Patients can receive SMS reminders. Health care providers can access their patients’ information, allowing them to monitor consistency and identify patients who need additional support.

Looking Ahead

Although TB remains a serious issue in Kenya, the treatments discussed have demonstrated their effectiveness. Kenya has earned recognition from the WHO for its progress. The country has set further goals to reduce TB death rates by 90% and TB cases by 80% by 2030. Efforts in Kenya to reduce the impact of TB continue to show measurable results.

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Infectious Diseases in Morocco

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

Tuberculosis Control Efforts

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

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

Addressing Leishmaniasis

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

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

Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment

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

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

Public Health Progress and Prevention

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

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

– Honey Regev

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

Photo: Flickr

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Eliminating Trachoma in the Most Impoverished Communities

TrachomaTrachoma is an infectious eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a chronic form of conjunctivitis and causes 1.4% of global blindness, yet governments can completely prevent it. Thirty countries across Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East and Australia have faced trachoma as a public health problem. It affects the most impoverished parts of the world. 

Infection spreads easily due to poor hygiene, crowded housing and limited access to sanitation and water. Viral disease and poverty fuel this spread, making people vulnerable to preventable diseases such as trachoma.

Eliminating Trachoma in Libya

On February 18, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated Libya’s elimination of trachoma. Libya struggled with trachoma for more than a century, but hard work and commitment led to this recent success. The country’s victory over trachoma shows how supporting the fight against neglected tropical diseases can help millions over time.

Political unrest and displacement in Libya limited access to quality health care, yet the country still managed to eliminate trachoma. Displacement and such unrest drive poverty by increasing the demand for water, sanitation and hygiene services. This connection between disease and poverty makes eliminating trachoma even more significant.

The SAFE Initiative

Countries affected by trachoma adopted the Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement (SAFE) strategy. Through this effort, Pfizer and the International Trachoma Initiative (ITI) have delivered more than one billion doses of Zithromax to countries in need. Experts now estimate that trachoma could be eliminated as a public health threat worldwide by 2030.

ITI, a U.S.-based nonprofit, currently operates in more than 14 countries across Southeast Asia and Africa. These interventions address the link between disease and poverty and have improved the lives of millions. Twenty-seven additional countries, including Papua New Guinea and Pakistan have also eliminated trachoma, underscoring the importance of tracking its prevalence and taking decisive action against infectious diseases. 

Fewer than 100 million people now require treatment, a historic global low since the WHO began recording cases. This milestone reinforces the need to confront disease alongside poverty. It demonstrates how strong local leadership, backed by international coordination, can improve the well-being of the world’s poorest populations.

Final Remarks

The massive success of the trachoma eradication campaign demonstrates the positive impact international help can have on many other tropical diseases. Research into trachoma has taught researchers much about how to slow its spread. Making hygiene a game for young children helps them avoid touching their eyes and mouths, which, in turn, helps women, who often act as primary caregivers. 

Additionally, communities can use the structures built for trachoma to fight other diseases. If people around the world work together to combat disease and poverty, everyone’s well-being will improve.

– Caitlin Cooper

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

Photo: Flickr

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Saving Lives: Malaria Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa

Malaria Prevention in Sub-Saharan AfricaMalaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa remains a critical global health priority. Despite significant progress over the past two decades, malaria continues to affect countries across the region disproportionately. Expanding prevention efforts is essential to saving lives, strengthening economies and reducing poverty.

The Scale of the Problem

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were approximately 282 million malaria cases globally in 2024, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for about 95% of cases and deaths. The region recorded more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths, with children under 5 representing about 76% of those fatalities. Countries such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Mozambique carry some of the heaviest burdens.

Rural communities are especially vulnerable due to limited access to health care facilities and preventive tools.

Impact on Education and Economic Stability

Malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa is not only a health issue but also an economic one. Frequent illness leads to missed school days for children and lost wages for adults. In high-transmission areas, students may miss several weeks of school each year due to illness or caring for sick family members. Repeated absences can reduce academic performance and long-term educational outcomes.

For adults, malaria decreases workforce productivity. Farmers may be unable to tend crops during peak agricultural seasons and small business owners may lose income due to illness. Health care costs, transportation to clinics and lost workdays push many households deeper into poverty.

In some communities, families must borrow money or sell assets to pay for treatment, creating long-term financial strain. Fortunately, significant progress has been made through coordinated prevention strategies. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying and rapid diagnostic testing have helped reduce transmission rates in many countries.

Recently, malaria vaccines have also been introduced in select African nations, offering additional protection for young children.

Organizations Combating Malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • The Global Fund: It provides funding to countries to strengthen prevention, treatment and health systems. Since its founding, the Global Fund has supported the distribution of hundreds of millions of ITNs and funded malaria treatment programs across dozens of African countries. In 2024 alone, the organization distributed more than 160 million mosquito nets worldwide.
  • UNICEF: This nonprofit works closely with governments to protect children from malaria. The organization supports seasonal malaria prevention programs, distributes bed nets and improves access to testing and treatment in remote areas. UNICEF has helped deliver millions of doses of preventive medicine to children in high-risk countries such as Nigeria and Chad.
  • The President’s Malaria Initiative: This Initiative operates in more than 20 African countries. It supports indoor spraying campaigns, distributes millions of bed nets annually and strengthens local health systems. The Initiative has contributed to significant reductions in malaria mortality rates in several partner countries since its launch.

Final Remarks

Malaria prevention in sub-Saharan Africa is directly linked to poverty reduction, educational advancement and economic stability. By protecting vulnerable populations, especially young children, these efforts help communities build healthier and more productive futures. Continued global commitment and coordinated action are necessary to reduce malaria cases further and move closer to elimination.

– Nishanth Pothapragada

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

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling NTDs in Fiji

NTDs in FijiFiji is an archipelago situated in the South Pacific, with a small population of just under 1 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared all Pacific countries particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases and natural disasters due to the acute effects of climate change in the region. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are an umbrella group of more than 20 infectious conditions most commonly affecting poorer populations in tropical regions.

NTDs have a far-reaching impact on the communities where they circulate, often carrying a poor prognosis and leading to disfigurement or death. Beyond the severe physical implications, NTDs are associated with social exclusion and cycles of poverty stemming from the poor health of the infected individual. However, with effective management and coordination strategies, the impact of NTDs can be significantly reduced. Through sustained effort from both a social and medical perspective, Fiji has seen several landmark successes in its fight against NTDs. Below are three examples of progress in the fight against NTDs in Fiji.

Elimination of Trachoma

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world and is spread by direct contact with infected individuals. The overall number of people at risk of contracting trachoma due to residence in an endemic region has more than halved between 2010 and 2024, due to improved data collection and the successful implementation of the WHO’s reduction strategy. In 2025, Fiji eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. This made it the first Neglected Tropical Disease in the country to achieve this status, as granted by the WHO.

The WHO attributed the elimination to extensive testing, public health initiatives and awareness efforts. The elimination of the disease marks a turning point in a country where trachoma had at several points been a public health concern, notably during a resurgence in the 2000s.

National Response to Scabies

Scabies is a highly infectious disease that is particularly prevalent in impoverished communities in tropical areas. It can lead to severe illness, including heart disease and kidney disease.

Scabies has historically been prevalent in Fiji. In 2016, the government found that skin and soft tissue infections, of which scabies is a part, were the fifth-highest cause of death in the country. Faced with this challenge, Fiji carried out a national scabies audit and subsequently embarked on a program of mass drug administration (MDA).

Fiji was one of the first two countries in the world to implement MDA for scabies. One study showed that the program significantly reduced community prevalence of scabies within a year, from 32% to 2%. The campaign was successful in reducing the prevalence of the NTD to a controllable level, marking a significant achievement for national disease prevention efforts.

Lymphatic Filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease spread by infected mosquitoes that causes abnormal swelling. It is commonly found in low-income communities where access to health care and sanitation is limited. Although it has faced several challenges in the effective control of lymphatic filariasis, Fiji has made and continues to make progress in tackling the disease. Between 1997 and 2007, Fiji significantly reduced the presence of the NTD, partly due to successful mass drug administration. The mass drug administration program is still underway, with coverage having reached more than 94% of the population, and transmission of the disease among at-risk populations having dropped by 43%.

Looking Ahead

Neglected Tropical Diseases remain a significant global health priority, especially among impoverished communities in tropical areas. However, Fiji has demonstrated how public health measures, community engagement and awareness efforts can contribute to reducing, and in some cases eliminating, NTDs.

– Phoebe Lang-Clapp

Phoebe is based in Montréal, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty and Malaria Vaccine Price Cuts

Poverty and MalariaMalaria remains one the world’s deadliest diseases, disproportionately affecting children in Africa. Global health organizations achieved a major breakthrough in the fight against this life-threatening infection in 2023 by rolling out the world’s first malaria vaccine: manufacturers have now slashed the price of this vaccine, along with a second approved vaccine, and it could be an important step in relieving the socioeconomic burden of the disease across the African continent.

In late 2025, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and children’s agency UNICEF struck a pricing deal to cut the cost of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to $2.99 USD from around $4. Analysts project that these reductions will unlock 30 million extra doses before 2030, protecting around 7 million children. This monumental pricing deal follows on from another cost reduction that Bharat Biotech and GSK announced in June of 2025, stating that they will progressively reduce the price of the RTS,S malaria vaccine by half, falling to less than $5 USD per dose.

A Crucial Vaccination Effort

Researchers initially struggled to develop an effective malaria vaccine: vaccines train the immune system to recognize proteins on the surfaces of infectious agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses). The infectious agent associated with malaria is Plasmodium falciparum, a parasite that can evade the immune system and change its surface proteins throughout its life cycle, thus finding a suitable vaccine to target the parasite became complicated.

When researchers achieved clinical breakthroughs in 2004 and refined a vaccine formula, it was time to move to human trials. The newly-named ‘RTS,S/AS01’ vaccine was administered to groups of young children across sub-Saharan Africa in the first rounds of human testing.

Trials ran from 2004 until 2015 and concluded that three doses of RTS,S was enough to reduce clinical malaria cases in children by up to 39%. In January 2024, a mass roll-out of the RTS,S vaccine began in Cameroon and authorities soon followed it with the distribution of the more cost-effective vaccine, R21/Matrix-M. Now, RTS,S and R21 vaccinations form part of routine childhood immunizations in more than 20 African countries, acting as a crucial tool for protecting children against deadly infections.

The Importance of Equitable Pricing in Immunization

Many factors influence the pricing of a vaccine introduced into the market, including patent protection, production cost and volume of contract. Notably, there is a positive correlation between a country’s Gross National Income (GNI) and the price point at which suppliers sell a dosage within the country- this is known as tiered pricing.

Rather than selling a vaccine at a flat rate, pharmaceutical companies use tiered pricing to charge high-income countries a higher price per dosage to balance affordability in lower-income markets, cover research and development (R&D) costs and generate profit. This improves the accessibility of vaccines regardless of geographical location and socioeconomic status.

However, malaria is a disease that primarily affects the Global South, therefore the market for the RTS,S and R21 vaccines for high-income countries in the Global North was almost non-existent. The typical vaccine development model and tiered pricing system could not be implemented, and external organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, filled the funding gaps.

The introduction of the second-ever malaria vaccine, R21, improved vaccine equity through accessibility: the formula has a lower concentration of antigens (the active ingredient in vaccines) whilst maintaining its efficacy, which drastically cuts manufacturing costs. Doses of R21 are better adapted to the African climate because of less strict requirements in cold chain storage and transport, reducing accidental wastage and ensuring more children receive protective immunization.

The Socioeconomic Impact of Immunity

The relationship between malaria and socioeconomic status can be considered bi-directional: malaria infection and recovery minimizes a person’s ability to work, attend school or perform caregiving duties, increasing the risk of experiencing poverty. Conversely, those living in poor conditions without access to adequate sanitation or health care face a higher risk of malaria infection and suffering more severe disease outcomes.

Therefore, immunity can break the cycle of poverty and malaria. As a whole, every $1 USD spent on vaccines saves between $16-44 USD on treatments and broader economic implications of disease. Driving down the price of each dose improves vaccine equity, ensuring that communities most affected by extreme poverty and seasonal malaria spikes will be among those protected.

However, immunization alone is not enough to decrease the malaria burden across the African continent. Research from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, demonstrates that the RTS,S vaccine is around 63% effective as a prevention tool, but when used in combination with insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC), efficacy rises to 93%. Studies have shown that the malaria vaccine is least effective in children who come from low socioeconomic status households, this is likely due to a lack of health care access which prevents children from completing all three immunizations along with preventative SMC treatments.

What Will the Future of Malaria Vaccination Look Like?

More and more African countries are adopting affordable malaria vaccine strategies, and keeping this momentum will be the key to imagining a malaria-free future. Community engagement has proven to be a highly successful strategy in effort to relieve concerns regarding the vaccine’s safety and cost. In the early stages of vaccine roll-out in Cameroon, parents initially responded to the scheme with hesitancy: community and religious leaders drove up vaccine demand by encouraging open discussions at community meetings and disseminating misinformation. Following the success of Cameroon’s vaccination campaign, global health partners have adopted this person-led strategy by connecting with community leaders and technical experts directly.

Gavi has predicted that immunizing around 50 million children against malaria before 2030 could save more than 170,000 lives. An increasing number of children will have the opportunity to complete their education uninterrupted by disease and parents will be relieved of the costly burdens of caregiving and clinical treatments. African governments and communities have responded to the agreement to slash malaria vaccine prices with great optimism and will be a huge step in protecting the most vulnerable populations from poverty.

– Charlotte Bunn

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

Photo: Flickr