Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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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

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Melioidosis in Bangladesh Threatens Rural Communities

Melioidosis in BangladeshHidden beneath flooded rice fields and carried by monsoon rains, a little-known disease is shaping a quiet public health crisis. Melioidosis in Bangladesh exists at the intersection of climate, poverty and limited health care access. Yet it remains largely invisible in national disease statistics.

For many patients, the illness never earns its real name, instead slipping through the health care system disguised as more familiar conditions. Rural communities suffer the most severe consequences, as their livelihoods depend on daily contact with soil and water. Understanding why melioidosis continues to evade recognition is essential not only to saving lives but also to protecting the people who sustain Bangladesh’s economy and food security.

Misdiagnosed, Misrepresented and Misunderstood

Melioidosis manifests differently from person to person and can range in severity from flu-like symptoms to skin abscesses and sepsis. Burkholderia pseudomallei enters the body through ingestion, inhalation or skin cuts, allowing it to infect the bloodstream, lungs and skin, sometimes simultaneously. Because the bacteria can affect multiple organ systems, melioidosis is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, fungal infections or even cancer.

These misdiagnoses can delay treatment, even though antibiotics must be started promptly and completed fully to improve recovery outcomes. Since the ’60s, hospitals in Bangladesh have reported only around 100 cases of melioidosis. This figure is widely believed to underestimate the true burden of the disease.

One study estimates that melioidosis in Bangladesh could account for up to 17,000 cases and 9,500 deaths each year. This gap is mainly due to limited clinical awareness and insufficient laboratory capacity for proper diagnosis. Patients with other underlying conditions, known as comorbidities, are at a higher risk of melioidosis, including those with diabetes, alcohol use disorder and chronic lung disease, which may complicate diagnosis further.

Rural Communities in Bangladesh at High Risk

Burkholderia pseudomallei is well-adapted to Bangladesh’s warm, humid climate. The bacterium thrives in environments with year-round high temperatures, waterlogged soil and frequent monsoon rainfall. As a result, rural communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture, face the greatest risk of infection.

Agriculture accounts for nearly 90% of rural employment and many farmers work barefoot or without protective equipment, increasing their exposure through direct contact with contaminated soil and water. Social factors further compound the risk. Poverty rates in rural Bangladesh stand at around 20%, compared with 16.5% in urban areas.

Illness caused by melioidosis can prevent individuals from working, deepening economic hardship for affected families and communities. Looking more broadly, the agricultural sector is one of the most productive in Bangladesh’s economy, contributing around 11% of the national GDP. Rural farming communities sit at the heart of this system.

Yet, they often have the least access to health care due to geographic and financial constraints. Protecting farmers and their families from melioidosis, therefore, supports not only their health and livelihoods but also the country’s food security and export capacity. This underscores the need for adequate protective equipment and timely access to effective antibiotic treatment.

Fighting for Futures: The South Asian Melioidosis Congress

In 2023, the third South Asian Melioidosis Congress (SAMC) met in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to discuss emerging research concerning the tropical disease and to share methods of its detection and management. These educational meetings aimed to raise awareness of melioidosis and provide physicians with the tools for accurate diagnosis. This proved successful, with nine reported cases of melioidosis in Bangladesh soon after the SAMC’s conclusion, each patient with different symptoms.

This reflects the vigilance of health care professionals regarding the early diagnosis of melioidosis as empowered by the collective effort of the SAMC to fight this disease. Following the conclusion of the fourth SAMC at the end of 2025, organizers are hopeful that renewed awareness will lead to more diagnosed cases being reported in Bangladesh. The theme of the fourth SAMC, “Melioidosis: The Great Mimicker,” highlighted the disease’s ability to mimic a wide range of illnesses.

The most recent congress brought together experts from across the world in Northeast India to discuss key issues surrounding melioidosis, including diagnostic approaches, public health implications and treatment guidelines. These discussions aimed to raise awareness of the disease and strengthen future efforts to protect vulnerable rural communities.

– Charlotte Bunn

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

Photo: Flickr

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5 Diseases Impacting Myanmar

Diseases Impacting MyanmarMyanmar is a nation of more than 100 ethnic groups, yet the Rohingya genocide has brought attention to the country’s corrupt military takeover from 2021. Due to the poor living conditions in the country and the current climate crisis, the diseases impacting Myanmar run rampant, but these are not just medical problems. They are symptoms of a broken health care system that conflict, repression, displacement and underfunding have weakened. However, the combined effort of international aid and volunteering has allowed some solutions to this health crisis. Here is information about five diseases that are impacting Myanmar.

5 Diseases Impacting Myanmar

The communicable diseases impacting Myanmar include:

  • Tuberculosis: The incidence rate of TB was 558 per 100,000 population in 2023 and close to 50,000 deaths are as a result of the disease in Myanmar. Treatment interruptions have increased drug-resistant TB, yet NGOs are still using community-based treatment. More than 3.5 million internally displaced people and worsening poverty have increased TB vulnerability. In 2024, Doctors Without Borders helped 480 people start treatment for TB, with 981 staff in Myanmar providing health care services.
  • Malaria: In 2023, there were 229,000 cases of malaria in Myanmar. Cases are resurging in conflict areas, despite proven interventions such as bed-net distribution, rapid testing and cross-border health programs. However, Myanmar aims to eliminate the transmission of malaria cases by 2030, and 126,562 patients received treatment between January and August 2025, according to Deputy Minister for Health, Professor Dr Aye Tun. 
  • HIV/AIDS: Disrupted access to antiretroviral therapy places lives at risk, even though mobile clinics have proven effective. In 2023, 0.9% of people aged between 15 and 49 suffered from HIV, with 5,800 of them dying. These diseases are not just affecting older people, but children and young adults, as well as people in detention.
  • Dengue Fever: Rising infections linked to poor sanitation highlight the need for investment in water, waste management and disease surveillance. Myanmar is a country with frequent and continuous risk of dengue, especially due to seasonal changes. In 2019, dengue fever mostly infects children aged between 5 and 9 years old with 4,473 cases registered. The Ministry of Health tries to combat dengue by killing mosquito larvae, then fogging houses near patients to eliminate mosquitoes.
  • Cholera/Diarrheal Diseases: Cholera is a waterborne disease that has surged in at least nine states in Myanmar since 2024. Around 300 people reported suffering from a cholera outbreak in late 2025, with seven confirmed dead. These people include vulnerable children without safe water or living conditions. Emergency WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) interventions that international donors support can address conditions.

Chronic Illnesses

Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are fatal for these people, because hospitals are underfunded, medicines are unavailable and travel to care is dangerous. Expanding access to health care, essential medicines lists and decentralized treatment is critical. Myanmar remains one of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian operations, receiving less than $136 million in 2025 of the $1.1 billion it needs.

The Relationship Between Poverty and Disease in Myanmar

In developing countries like Myanmar, preventative medicines and measures can be obtained by the wealthy, but this means that often, families without enough money face higher risks of dying from avoidable disease. Whilst in developed countries, the elderly are more likely to face these diseases, in Myanmar, people younger than the age of 70, and even children are suffering from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, due to the disparity between the country’s rich and the poor. Nearly 32% of the country lives in poverty. Poverty and disease in Myanmar share a symbiotic relationship, especially considering that after the 2025 earthquake, many people are living in tents, allowing outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases to occur.

Solutions

There have been developments however. The Republic of Korea made a generous contribution to UNICEF to help families and the vulnerable in Myanmar, especially considering that one-third of more than 3.5 million displaced are children.

Organizations like Doctors Without Borders are trying their best to support Myanmar’s health care. Following the 2025 earthquake, it has restored more than 200 bore holes, supplied hospital beds and been trying to aid victims of serious diseases. Following the 2021 military coup, Doctors Without Borders donated medical supplies to Yangon and other locations. The success of help like this is demonstrated in the case of Ko Tin Maung Shwe, a patient suffering from HIV and hepatitis C. With hospitals being destroyed and the fear of travelling, Doctors Without Borders are helping patients like him with blood tests, consultations and medication. As well as this, it is expanding access to psychosocial support.

All of this help is essential because the ongoing conflict in Myanmar by the military regime has damaged civilian infrastructure and in 2023 alone, more than 418 attacks on health care had occurred. Alongside the violence, the climate crisis that has caused major earthquakes in Myanmar has led to an increase in the number of vulnerable people suffering from disease.

How Is the World Aiding Myanmar?

In 2025, the U.K. announced additional humanitarian funding to provide health care to 1 million people across Myanmar. The then Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds, underscored this commitment by stressing that the U.K. would not abandon the people enduring a brutal conflict – one that has fueled a humanitarian emergency in a country already exposed to the impacts of changing weather patterns. This assistance has extended beyond the Rohingya community, supporting vulnerable populations nationwide, particularly in the aftermath of the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. Despite this, Donald Trump’s USAID cuts have severely limited the amount of health care support that exists, but countries within the EU, as well as NGOs like UNICEF, are still trying to help the crisis in Myanmar. UN agencies are committed to helping affected populations in Myanmar, proven by the fact that in July 2025, nearly 306,000 people across 59 earthquake-hit townships received health services.

Looking Ahead

People in Myanmar are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. They are not just suffering from war injuries, but they are also dying from illnesses that the international community already knows how to treat. The diseases impacting Myanmar are more than humanitarian crises, they are symbols of injustice, repression and perhaps even hope – hope that once the world understands how much the vulnerable people need help, they will act.

– Anisa Begum

Anisa is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Diseases Impacting Libya: Top 3 Factors Affecting Health Care

Diseases Impacting LibyaLocated in the north of Africa between Algeria and Egypt, Libya has a population of about 7.5 million people, most of them concentrated in urban, coastal cities like Tripoli and Benghazi. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified cholera and polio as very high risk diseases to impact Libyans in 2025. Other non-communicable diseases such as cancer are also threatening many individuals because of how expensive and difficult it is to get treatment. Here are the top three factors affecting health and safety, including access to health care and diseases impacting Libya.

1. Climate and Changing Weather Patterns

Libya is one of the world’s most arid countries. It witnesses periods of extreme heat, droughts and violent rain and dust storms. These acute weather conditions compromise health and safety, as access to potable water becomes more scarce and food insecurity spikes.

In September 2023, cyclone Daniel made a bad situation worse in terms of diseases impacting Libya, with flooding and damages to already deteriorating infrastructure including health and care facilities in Derna. Water contamination and lack of sanitation were top reasons for health concerns as storms also destroyed two dams upstream of the city. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, medical professionals were most concerned about potential cholera and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks. As of October 3, 2023, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 1,905 cases of AWD.

2. Sudanese Migration 

A war-torn Sudan has led many to flee and seek refuge in its neighboring countries. Since April 2023, cities like Al Kufra in Eastern Libya saw an influx of somewhere close to 500 Sudanese migrants passing through each day. Such a high number of refugees has led to issues like overcrowding, especially in settlements, which in turn could lead to an increase in diseases impacting Libya. 

Those arriving from conflict zones are often in ill-health. Be it communicable diseases or in poor mental-health, many have not had access to vaccinations or other preventative treatments that could avoid medical emergencies like outbreaks. Officials like WHO are most concerned about a cholera epidemic, though tracking its spread will prove difficult for lack of testing facilities and resources.

3. The Government

Since the 2011 Revolution, Libyans have witnessed waves of political fragmentation, tension and violence. The persistent conflict caused years of neglect in the health care system, ultimately resulting in inconsistent health care services for Libyans.

Opposing governments and factions fighting for power have divided the country, making it difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate with health care professionals and NGOs on the ground to establish clinical practice guidelines that would prevent outbreaks and efficiently combat diseases impacting Libya. 

Then, in April 2025 the Internal Security Agency (ISA) based in Tripoli announced the shutdown of headquarters of 10 major NGOs, including MSF, for compromising Libya’s social demographic and for promoting values that go against Libyan identity. MSF reported at least six known casualties in the weeks since it had to pull its aid, and expect the order to have more consequences on their patients that they will not be able to track due to loss of contact.  

Who’s Helping?

After Cyclone Daniel, organizations such as UNICEF, the Red Cross, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Medical Corps (IMC) sent immediate relief. This included, for example, renovating 25 health facilities, training more than 1,100 health care providers and distributing food to more than 15,000 people. 

Though the 10 humanitarian organizations ordered to leave Libya in April 2025 have not been allowed to return to date, there are still other groups present in the country. The International Medical Corps (IMC), for example, provided more than 27,000 medical consultations and helped countless refugees back on their feet as of July 2025. The European Union (EU) continues to fund aid in correspondence with WHO, Première Urgence Internationale and the IMC. In 2025, the EU funded €3 million in response to mass Sudanese migration. 

Given the inconsistency in health care provisions, NGOs on the ground are doing significant work for Libyans and refugees. There is still much work to do. Providing medical aid and investing in care facilities is just scratching the surface. Without addressing the climate crisis, the lack of accommodation for refugees and government fragmentation, health and safety will remain compromised and diseases impacting Libyans will continue to risk lives. 

– Brittany Buscio

Brittany is based in Montreal, Canada and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Dangerous Diseases Impacting Djibouti

Diseases in DjiboutiThe residents of Djibouti face many challenges. Natural factors such as drought and higher temperatures affect not only residents’ basic needs but also their quality of life with disease and poverty distressing the population constantly. Here is information about some of the diseases impacting Djibouti.

Diseases Impacting Djibouti

Diseases impact the majority of communities in Djibouti. These are examples of some of the most severe illnesses harming vulnerable members in society. Both communicable and non-communicable diseases are threatening.

  • Malaria
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
  • Cholera
  • Tuberculosis
  • Hepatitis B 

How Effective Is Medical Care in Djibouti?

Health centers are limited. This is attributed to a lack of staff and resources, which impacts Djibouti’s health care system. Medical systems are strained from pressure and the heavy disease rate.

There is a substantial divide in medical care between rural and urban areas. Urban areas are more likely to have a stronger infrastructure and more funding. Djibouti has 66 medical centers and most of them are located in the capital, Djibouti City. Peltier Hospital is the biggest hospital there, which is not only a place to treat disease, but also home to medical discoveries as research takes place there.

Poverty in Djibouti

A main cause of Djibouti’s hardships is because of poverty, which one can see through its medical care. Even though public health care costs less and is easier for people to access in Djibouti compared to private health care, there are lengthy wait times and staff shortages. Meanwhile, private health care has shorter wait times and more advanced staff.

About 79% of people in Djibouti live in poverty but 42% live in the most extreme conditions. Health care is a constant battle due to people lacking income and having a constant threat of disease. As private health care is more costly, most of the population cannot afford it.

Malaria and Genetically Engineered Mosquitos

Malaria is an ongoing issue in Djibouti. In the year of 2012, 27 cases took place but over the following years to 2020, it has dramatically grown to above 73,000. 

These statistics show how malaria is an increasing issue. Malaria is spread when a mosquito is infected and bites a living organism. This is not communicable, but the infection spreads in the blood stream. The cycle continues as a mosquito will bite the infected person and it resumes. In rare cases, people can catch it through blood transfusions.

In 2024, tens of thousands of genetically engineered mosquitos were created to mitigate the spread of infection thanks to Oxitecs Friendly™. The male mosquitos carry a gene that kills the female mosquitos, reducing malaria. Only female mosquitos carry the disease, so reducing them mitigates the spread of malaria.

HIV and Mobile Brigades

More than 1% of local people are diagnosed with HIV. This is classed as a high rate, underlining the conditions people of Djibouti experience daily. This chronic condition is a virus, that harms the immune system.

HIV passes from person to person through close contact with bodily fluids. Unfortunately, there is no current cure, but treatment can help. If it is not quickly treated, it can develop and become more serious.

Djibouti faces the harshest realities of poverty and this heightens HIV rates. Due to a lack of funding and awareness into health care, more people will unfortunately suffer. Women are more vulnerable to this because they are fearful to reach out for help to help end HIV. This is because of the negative stigma attached to HIV/AIDS.

However, new developments are emerging to reduce the negative stigma. One example is mobile brigades. These are vehicles with medical professionals that go to communities, test for HIV and bring awareness. In 2019, they raised awareness of HIV/AIDS to about 26,000 people who were at risk. Additionally, the mobile brigades provided 6,000 tests and treatment to 2,900 people.

Addressing Cholera

Another of the diseases impacting Djibouti is cholera. Cholera is a disease that is bacterial and passes through contaminated food sources. Cholera can cause stomach pain, sickness, dehydration and death in some severe cases. 

The latest cholera outbreak that Djibouti considered a threat was in 1893. However, the country continued to view cholera as high risk in 2007, and it is significantly dangerous for children. This is because children with cholera often do not show symptoms and fatalities can come about quietly.

UNICEF is implementing WASH interventions in several countries across the globe to eliminate cholera and Djibouti is one of its target countries. Some strategies include implementing reliable and safe water sources and medical treatments, and improving hygiene practices.

The Impact of Tuberculosis

There are around 40 to 499 cases every 100,000 people of the Djibouti population. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that is passed from one infected person to the other. This occurs through direct encounters as people can get it through contact with a contaminated person.

The statistics show that this disease is a persistent problem. This is reflected through safety information, as travelers are advised to do screening for their safety and others. This highlights the importance of medical care. Fortunately, it is a curable disease, although if not treated, it can be fatal.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause liver issues and is another of the diseases impacting Djibouti. Depending on its severity, it can either be short term or long term. Hepatitis B is spread through bodily fluids or infection spread through blood.

Many see Hepatitis B as a prevalent issue because there is no cure. However, vaccines and treatments can reduce the possibility of Hepatitis B. According to recent data, out of every 100,000 people of the population of Djibouti, 1,044.47 people are diagnosed with Hepatitis B. The statistic is considered high. Sometimes people can be a carrier of it without their knowledge, making it more dangerous.

Looking Ahead

Overall, disease impacts all parts of life in Djibouti. With the hardships of natural disasters and lack of funding, poverty still continues to be the main issue. Funding gives access to medical care and education, and a better life for people of Djibouti. However, with more awareness, this can happen. The new medical achievements show a more positive future for the Djibouti nation.

– Daisy Maidment

Daisy is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Maldives’ Triple Elimination: A Blueprint for Health

Maldives’ Triple EliminationIn October 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the Maldives’ historic triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis and hepatitis B had been officially validated. This certification makes the Maldives the first country in the world to successfully eliminate the transmission of all three life-threatening diseases from mother to child simultaneously. The milestone represents a major triumph for maternal health and provides a clear strategy for other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to follow.

Understanding Triple Elimination

Triple elimination is a public health standard that ensures the next generation is born free of three specific infections that often cause lifelong health complications or infant mortality. To achieve this, the Maldives had to meet rigorous WHO criteria, including maintaining antenatal care coverage and testing rates above 95%. The nation also proved that its newborn interventions, such as the hepatitis B birth dose, are consistently delivered within 24 hours of birth. Data show that the Maldives recorded zero babies born with HIV or syphilis in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, a national survey in 2023 confirmed that no young children entering school carried hepatitis B.

A Decentralized Approach to Maternal Care

Progress toward the Maldives’ historic triple elimination was made possible by a decade of systemic reform focused on reaching people in remote areas. Because the population is dispersed across more than 1,000 islands, the government prioritized a decentralized, community-based health care system. In 2018, the nation implemented the “Agenda for Integrated Service Delivery,” which standardized data collection for all three diseases. This ensured that even on the smallest islands, pregnant women could access free testing and treatment. By removing financial barriers, the government addressed a primary cause of health vulnerability among low-income families.

The Role of WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

The WHO and UNICEF played essential roles in supporting the Maldives during the validation process. The WHO provided the technical framework and training to ensure that screening and vaccination programs were integrated into routine maternal and child health services. UNICEF South Asia contributed by reviewing and refining national reports to ensure they met global standards for data accuracy. These organizations worked alongside the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, which serves as the national reference laboratory for validating test results. This partnership allowed the Maldives to use digital monitoring tools such as the Electronic Immunization Registry to track children’s health status in real time.

Promoting Equity With the Migrant Health Policy

The path to the Maldives’ historic triple elimination also involved ensuring that no resident was left behind due to background or legal status. The government recently launched a Migrant Health Policy that guarantees equal access to health services for all residents, including migrant populations. This inclusive policy reduced gaps in disease surveillance and ensured that every mother living in the country received the same standard of care. Experts note that including marginalized groups in national health frameworks is a critical factor in achieving disease elimination goals.

A Beacon of Hope for Global Health

The success of the Maldives serves as a beacon of hope for other nations working to eliminate preventable infections. By combining political leadership with a decentralized health system and strong international partnerships, the country has protected future generations from chronic disease. The Maldives’ historic triple elimination demonstrates that geographic isolation and resource constraints are not insurmountable barriers to public health progress. As countries move toward the 2030 global goal for triple elimination, the Maldives shows that equitable, high-quality health care can play a significant role in reducing poverty and improving lives.

– Elena Cárdenas

Elena is based in Monterrey, México and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending the Ebola Outbreak in the DRC

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

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

National Response and Vaccination Campaign

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

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

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

Treatment Center and Clinical Efforts

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

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

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

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

Looking Ahead

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

– Angela D’Avino

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

Photo: Pixabay