Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

,

Diseases Impacting the Central African Republic

Diseases Impacting the Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest nations in Africa, with a GDP of just $2,516.50 in 2021. The nation has a history of engulfment in humanitarian crises and political instability. The ongoing civil war, which began in 2012, detrimentally affected the health care system and increased the prevalence of transmittable diseases impacting the Central African Republic. About 33% of its health facilities are partially damaged and just 22% are operational, according to assessments from 2021. However, organizations are working to strengthen health systems and provide critical health care to the country’s people, particularly in rural areas.

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening, tropical disease transmitted to humans via female mosquitoes. It is one of many endemic diseases impacting the Central African Republic, infecting a vast number of people annually. In 2020, malaria impacted 336 people per 1,000.

The civil war between Christian militias and Muslim rebels contributed to the rapid increase in malaria cases and deaths. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) states that malaria cases in Bossangoa increased by more than threefold to 6,507 in May 2014, with children under 5 accounting for close to 66% of infections.

The war displaced thousands of civilians as militias burned and looted villages, leaving villagers without shelter and protection from mosquito-borne infections. A 2012 report by the MSF said approximately 12,000 displaced individuals resided nearby MSF health care projects in Kabo and Batangafo. The CAR government had established an initiative to provide free malaria treatment to children under 5 but it lacked the capacity and resources to properly function.

The MSF is tackling diseases impacting the Central African Republic, like malaria. In 2020, it launched a “mass drug administration” to prevent malaria infections. The organization broadcasted its campaign via local radios and then visited households to distribute anti-malaria treatment to avoid crowded areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. MSF and other international medical humanitarian organizations had provided treatment to 39,631 people in Batangafo.

HIV/AIDS

HIV is one of the most widespread diseases impacting the Central African Republic. In 2021, approximately 83,000 adults and children lived with HIV, UNAIDS says. The disease is controlled using antiretroviral therapy (ART), which involves taking a combination of HIV medicines to stop the virus from replicating.

Marie Charlotte Bantah Sana, the head of the program against communicable diseases at the CAR’s Health and Population Ministry, told MSF in 2020 that 30% of patients who test positive for HIV do not come back to undergo treatment due to financial constraints.

Since 2019, MSF has provided “free medical care and psychological support for patients” with advanced HIV and tuberculosis problems. MSF prioritized advanced care in Bangui, CAR’s capital, where the HIV incidence is double the national average. Outside of Bangui, MSF is prioritizing the treatment of individuals with advanced stages of HIV in Paoua, Carnot, Kabo and Batangafo.

MSF also established community antiretroviral (ARV) groups in several areas, which involve designated community members supplying HIV patients with ARV drug refills. This decreased transport expenditure and allowed people to avoid hospitals where stigma and discrimination are common. By the close of 2020, MSF had established 276 community ARV groups to represent 2,300 HIV-infected individuals.

HIV/AIDS incidence rates in the Central African Republic have declined as more patients received antiretroviral therapy. Between 2016 and 2019, the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy rose from fewer than 25,000 to more than 47,000.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a highly infectious airborne bacterial disease that affects the lungs and is easily transmitted in crowded areas. It is one of many common diseases impacting the Central African Republic. In 2000, the Central African Republic reported 540 tuberculosis cases per 100,000 individuals. This value has remained unchanged from 2000 to 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the CAR’s ability to detect tuberculosis as the country suffered shortages of skilled staff in labs. Fortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) provided financial and technical support to strengthen the country’s laboratory network.

The WHO helped with the purchase of 11 out of the total 23 GeneXpert machines the Central African Republic received between 2020 and 2021. GeneXpert machines are utilized for instant diagnostic testing and can detect the presence of tuberculosis bacteria in less than two hours. The WHO trained staff on how to install, utilize and maintain the machines. The addition of GeneXpert machines helped laboratories conduct 4,690 tuberculosis tests in 2021 compared to 1,345 tests before the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the efforts of organizations such as MSF and the WHO, the prevalence of diseases impacting the Central African Republic is reducing.

– Dami Kalejaiye
Photo: Flickr

,

Near-Elimination of River Blindness in the Americas

River Blindness in the Americas
Three decades ago, river blindness in the Americas stood as a major concern. However, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) by the end of February 2023, “the region of the Americas [had] largely eliminated the disease, with remaining local transmission only in some areas of the Amazon.” Following tens of years of efforts, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala successfully eliminated river blindness between 2013 and 2016, thanks to the work of several key organizations. The near-elimination of river blindness in the Americas has also brought economic benefits by decreasing the financial and social impacts of ill health.

Onchocerciasis/River Blindness

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease that transmits to humans through the bite of infected Simulium blackflies. These blackflies typically breed in fast-flowing rivers, commonly found in rural areas.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of river blindness can include extreme itching, skin disfiguration and in severe cases, visual impairment. Currently, no vaccine exists to protect against river blindness. However, the ivermectin drug, when administered on a six-month basis for 12 to 15 years, can prevent transmission of the disease.

The Impacts of River Blindness

Classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease, most of the people infected by river blindness (about 99%) live in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas that are prone to poverty.

River blindness is a debilitating disease that can hinder human progress in more ways than one. Some of the socio-economic impacts it can have are increasing hunger and poverty, causing vulnerability to other diseases and hindering education.

A study led by Caitlin Dunn and others, published in 2015, states that, in particular, river blindness exacerbates poverty by reducing agricultural yields, increasing medical expenses and decreasing worker productivity. To avoid river blindness infections, in Africa, for example, people resort to relocating to less fertile areas, which reduces their agricultural productivity and impacts overall income.

Those infected by river blindness face higher medical costs, the burden of which pushes people further into poverty through medical debt. Besides the usual symptoms such as severe itching or skin disfiguration, the disease also weakens the immune system, making one more susceptible to other illnesses too. This places a significant financial burden on those living in poverty.

River blindness can also reduce people’s ability to work and earn an income due to fatigue, pain and visual impairment. This leads to lower incomes and impacts children’s learning abilities at school.

Fighting Against River Blindness

One of the first programs with the goal of tackling river blindness began in West Africa in 1974. The Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) underwent implementation in 11 countries including Ghana and Senegal. At first, the program utilized vector control methods such as spraying insecticides in areas where blackflies transmitted river blindness. It later included ivermectin distribution to aid treatment.

According to the WHO, the OCP “relieved 40 million people from infection, prevented blindness in 600,000 people and ensured that 18 million children were born free from the threat of the disease and blindness.” Furthermore, people reclaimed “25 million hectares of abandoned arable land… for settlement and agricultural production, capable of feeding 17 million people annually,” the WHO website says.

In an effort to bring forth similar results in the Americas, the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program of the Americas began in 1992. OEPA’s main goal was to halt the transmission of river blindness in 13 endemic areas via mass drug administration of ivermectin. The program received great support from the Carter Center, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and others.

OEPA and similar initiatives saw significant success, according to the Carter Center. Overall, 11 of the 13 endemic areas in the Americas have successfully eliminated river blindness transmission. In 2013, WHO declared Colombia the first country in the world to be free of the disease. Ecuador, Mexico and Guatemala followed soon after.

Looking Ahead

The WHO estimates that river blindness in the Americas currently still affects 28,000 Yanomami Indigenous people who live in parts of the Amazon between Brazil and Venezuela. They continue to receive ivermectin treatments via OEPA.

River blindness elimination programs have seen great success. The programs not only combat diseases but also improve the productivity and quality of life of people living in poverty. According to the World Bank, programs like OCP and OEPA have an economic rate of return of more than 15% annually. Therefore, contributing to the fight against river blindness can mean investing in poverty reduction and economic growth.

– Siddhant Bhatnagar
Photo: Flickr

,

Everything to Know About Bird Flu in Ecuador

Bird Flu in Ecuador
Ecuador has received a lot of attention for its avian wildlife—in fact, it was studying birds on the Galapagos Islands where Charles Darwin invigorated his theory of evolution. The intertwining relationship between man and nature is evident, raising a cause for concern when an extremely deadly disease enters the animal kingdom. That disease is the bird flu in Ecuador.

About Bird Flu/H5N1

In 2022, Ecuadorians detected a strain of bird flu (H5N1) in local wildlife—and birds were only the beginning of the infected animals. In Peru, a neighboring country, marine life showed symptoms of H5N1—sea lions and dolphins both tested positive for the disease, causing questions about the progression, transition and mutation of H5N1 in Ecuador. Hundreds of thousands of animals, including; birds, foxes, mink and bears, tested positive for the disease. While H5N1 is rare in humans, human infection is possible.

The Way That H5N1 Works

While H5N1 is extremely contagious to birds and other animals, mammal infection is rare. However, Ecuador reported the first case of human infection in January 2023. When a human contracts H5N1 from close proximity to an infected bird, the case fatality rate (CFR) is about 56%. The World Health Organization (WHO) determined this through data from previous bird flu infections from 2003 to 2023. Of 240 confirmed cases during this time period, 135 cases were fatal, as of February 23, 2023.

H5N1 functions by connecting to receptors in an animal’s respiratory system. Humans lack these receptors in their upper respiratory tract, making infection relatively difficult. However, humans can contract the disease in their lower respiratory tract, which can cause severe pneumonia. Poultry workers—mainly slaughterhouse workers and kitchen workers—are at higher risk and must take further precautions to lower the risk of infection.

Ecuador Taking Action

Ecuador started battling H5N1 by culling thousands of birds—180,000 infected farm birds slowed the transmission of the disease, but not by much. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Ecuador announced a plan to “vaccinate more than 2 million birds.” Companies in Ecuador and Mexico are preparing three-dose vaccines which will protect birds from H5N1 death. While this Ecuador/Mexico alliance is months from being fully enacted, the push for action on both sides is strong. This partnership is a monumental step in ending bird flu in Ecuador.

Risks in Ecuador’s Future

A vaccine for H5N1 in humans is already available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), manufacturers already have the information they need to mass produce the vaccine.

Poverty is rampant in Ecuador, making access to health facilities difficult, even though Ecuador’s 2007 health care reform created access to universal health care. This proved an asset during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding health care and creating avenues for vaccinations against COVID-19. These still-in-place avenues will be an asset if Ecuadorians require inoculation against bird flu.

The 2007-2017 expansion of universal health care in Ecuador has been a game-changer, with more Ecuadorians trusting health care and turning toward it when needed. Initially, citizens had reluctance to utilize this health care, with 27% of citizens refraining from utilizing the resource. That number decreased to 18% in 2014 and continued to drop as time moved on, which shows a trend of progress in Ecuadorian health care.

While H5N1 is currently not a direct threat to the health of the human population, human cases of the disease have emerged. While poverty is still great in Ecuador, the COVID-19 pandemic may have created new routes for spreading vaccines which could help slow the bird flu in Ecuador should H5N1 mutate to humans.

– Thomas LaPorte
Photo: Flickr

, ,

Efforts to Prevent the Spread of Diseases

Prevent the Spread of Diseases
The recent global health crisis, triggered by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought to the forefront the importance of efforts to prevent the spread of diseases. While treatment is crucial, proactive steps to reduce the risk of disease transmission are equally important. Disease prevention plays a critical role in promoting public health, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Gavi’s Work to Prevent the Spread of Diseases

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership that is committed to improving access to life-saving vaccines in low-income countries with the aim to prevent the spread of diseases. The partnership has played a critical role in reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide by providing funding, technical support and vaccines to increase access to immunization programs in the world’s poorest countries.

Gavi has assisted in the vaccination of more than 981 million children, which will prevent at least 16.2 million disease-related child mortalities at minimum. Its efforts have also resulted in the successful introduction of new vaccines in low-income countries, including the pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines.

The Global Fund’s Efforts

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is another public-private partnership committed to reducing the incidence of these three deadly diseases, increasing access to treatment and care and improving health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. It has played a critical role in preventing the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS by providing funding to support HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

In 2021 alone, the Global Fund provided HIV-preventative services to 12.5 million at-risk individuals and helped to provide about 670,000 HIV-positive mothers with treatment to sustain themselves and prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. These efforts have led to a significant reduction in HIV/AIDS-related deaths worldwide.

The Global Fund has also played a crucial role in expanding access to TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment services, contributing to a decline in TB-related deaths worldwide. In addition, the Global Fund has supported the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor spraying and other preventative measures to reduce the incidence of malaria, resulting in a significant reduction in malaria-related deaths worldwide.

Positive Impacts

The impact of these global health initiatives in preventing the spread of diseases worldwide is reflected in the significant progress made in reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. These partnerships have saved more than 50 million lives and significantly reduced the number of new infections and deaths linked to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Contributions to the fight against these deadly diseases have not only significantly reduced the number of new infections and deaths but also strengthened the health systems of low and middle-income countries to better cope with disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

Prevention is Key

Disease transmission is a significant public health challenge, with prevention being the key, and everyone from individuals to communities and governments has an important role to play in proactively addressing the issue.

Practicing good hygiene, obtaining vaccinations and accessing health care for the early detection and treatment of illnesses are all essential strategies in preventing the spread of disease. Good hygiene, such as hand washing and avoiding contact with sick individuals, is a basic yet effective way to reduce the risk of infection. Vaccination is critical in building immunity against various diseases and protecting vulnerable populations. Early detection and treatment of illnesses can reduce the severity of the illness and the risk of transmission to others.

It is also important to ensure that vulnerable and marginalized communities have access to prevention, treatment and care services. Strengthening the leadership, engagement and capacity of community-led organizations and networks can improve service continuity between community-led activities and formal health care provision. The Global Fund’s Community Engagement Strategic Initiative and community-led monitoring efforts work toward achieving these goals.

In conclusion, investing in preventative measures and global partnerships is critical in reducing the incidence of preventable diseases and saving lives.

– Nkechi First
Photo: Flickr

,

Waterborne Diseases Impacting Pakistan

Waterborne Diseases impacting Pakistan
The country of Pakistan is currently the fifth most populous nation in the world, with almost 225 million inhabitants. Due to the number of people living in the country, Pakistan is at a greater risk of experiencing devastation from the effects of changing weather patterns. Events such as the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the floods of 2010 and 2022 have had disastrous effects on the nation’s health policies. The country is also experiencing economic and food crises. This further exasperates the effects of diseases impacting Pakistan. Currently, many organizations, such as the British Red Cross, are categorizing waterborne diseases as a health emergency in Pakistan. These include cholera, typhoid, dysentery and hepatitis A, which are largely spread due to unsafe water and poor sanitation conditions.

The 2022 Floods of Pakistan

The recent floods in the summer of 2022 were disastrous for Pakistan. The floods have severely affected Pakistan’s agriculture, which makes up a big chunk of their exports and food supply, thereby threatening to cause a major public health disaster. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 8 million people are currently in need of health assistance as they are at grave risk from the many diseases impacting Pakistan. WHO also estimates that almost 10% of health facilities experienced damage, hindering the public health system’s ability to target the health crises. This is a grave issue as before the floods, Pakistan was already suffering from health crises. It had the second-highest amount of Hepatitis C cases. More than 35% of children under five are stunted.

In the areas that the floods affected the most, such as Sindh and Baluchistan, there has been a spike in disease outbreaks. In certain areas, the cases of malaria doubled. There was also a rise in outbreaks of dengue and acute water diarrhea. Another issue of concern is the cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), which already had a calamitous number before the floods in both Sindh and Baluchistan. Cases of SAM are on the rise to alarming numbers.

Immunization Disrupted

Another major issue that the floods caused is the effect it has had on the public health system’s ability to effectively tackle some of these disease outbreaks. The floods have disrupted many immunization programs, such as the nationwide polio vaccination program. Pakistan is currently one of the only two remaining polio-endemic countries in the world. Furthermore, the flood has also had major ramifications for the programme on immunization (EPI) surveillance efforts and the treatment of chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV).

Organizations Working Toward a Better Future

Although the health crises in the country are a concern, global organizations are helping to lead the fight against many of these waterborne diseases. The Pakistan Red Cross has mobile health facilities in many of the affected areas as they attempt to treat flood victims. Furthermore, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are also working alongside the WHO to increase the surveillance of some of the major diseases impacting Pakistan, such as acute diarrhea and cholera.

– Saad Haque
Photo: Flickr

, ,

Tackling Diseases in Nigeria with the Help of Technology

Diseases in Nigeria
In today’s digital age, technology has become an integral tool in Nigeria’s fight against various diseases. From improving access to health care to building health care capacity, technology has played a vital role in the effort to combat disease. Here are 10 ways technology assists in tackling diseases in Nigeria.

Tackling Diseases in Nigeria with the Help of Technology

  1. One of the major ways technology is helping to combat diseases in Nigeria is through an electronic case-based reporting system. This system allows for real-time tracking of disease cases and outbreaks, which helps detect potential outbreaks early and respond quickly. All 774 local government areas in Nigeria have implemented this system through the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTP).
  2. Technology is also helping to fight tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in Nigeria. More than 1,000 health facilities have implemented electronic medical record systems, providing data for program decision-making. A national repository of de-identified patient records for more than 1.9 million HIV patients has also emerged and more than 500 facilities have implemented systems for automated and instant transmission of viral load results to aid in the exchange of health information related to HIV.
  3. Technology has played a key role in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases by using innovative software and messaging systems. Nigeria has implemented a national software system for routine immunization along with an SMS texting system for weekly reporting in 18 states. Additionally, an electronic data management system is aiding COVID-19 vaccination efforts, allowing for more efficient tracking and distribution of vaccines.
  4. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology in the fight against disease in Nigeria. The integration of COVID-19 testing into the national laboratory network enabled the country to conduct more than 5.5 million tests between 2020 and 2022. A state response coordination mechanism has emerged, allowing for weekly virtual meetings among the 52 national rapid response teams. Additionally, digital training materials are helping to support infection prevention and control efforts among 1,000 frontline health care workers.
  5. Funmi Adewara and her company, MobiHealth International, are using digital technology to combat the pandemic. They are doing this by providing patients with access to thousands of doctors in multiple languages through a smartphone app, toll-free line or mobile, solar-powered telehealth clinic across Nigeria. Additionally, the company has launched a free telemedicine hotline in partnership with the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research to provide remote communities with COVID-19 screening and testing.
  6. Technology is also aiding in training volunteers who spread information about COVID-19 through digital media platforms such as Zoom. This allows for effective communication and dissemination of information about the virus to a wider audience, which increases public awareness and understanding of the disease.
  7. Technology is also beneficial for surveillance and response to diseases. The power of technology has greatly enhanced the speed and effectiveness of activating public health emergency operations centers in Nigeria. The country has 36 sub-national public health EOCs spread across its six geopolitical zones, all of which are connected to the National EOC.
  8. Additionally, technology is helping to improve surveillance systems for tracking and preventing infectious diseases, such as polio and measles, in Nigeria by monitoring vaccines’ side effects. In the fight against Ebola, technology has played a crucial role in early detection and response. Examples include thermal scanners at airports, mobile phone technology for reporting, and public health informatics tools for data collection and analysis, which have helped overcome challenges in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
  9. The African CDC is using technology to improve disease monitoring in Africa, including Nigeria, through Digital Disease Surveillance. This method involves tracking and monitoring illnesses and outbreaks by utilizing data from online sources such as search engines, social media and mobile phones, allowing for real-time tracking of disease spread and targeted efforts by health care professionals.
  10. Technology is helping enhance health care delivery in Nigeria by utilizing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This includes the utilization of ICTs to improve health care services and record keeping by implementing remote monitoring systems for patients to track their health, using advanced equipment and machinery in laboratories to better understand diseases and their causes and utilizing telemedicine and artificial intelligence.

Looking Ahead

In conclusion, technology is playing a vital role in the fight against diseases in Nigeria. From electronic case-based reporting systems to digital surveillance and telemedicine, technology is improving disease monitoring and responsiveness, enhancing health care delivery and increasing health care access for all Nigerians. The implementation of these technologies has enabled real-time tracking of disease cases, early detection of outbreaks and efficient distribution of vaccines. The use of technology has also helped to overcome challenges in the fight against diseases such as COVID-19, TB, HIV and polio. Moreover, it has greatly enhanced the speed and effectiveness of activating public health emergency operations centers. As technology continues to advance, it will become an even more important tool in the fight against diseases in Nigeria.

– Nkechi First
Photo: Flickr

,

Solar-Powered Oxygen Systems in Somalia Save Lives

Solar-Powered Oxygen Systems
As of November 2022, the World Bank recorded that close to 70% of  Somalia’s population lives in poverty and 90% suffer from multidimensional impoverishment. Among many other basic necessities, many cannot afford health care services that prevent or cure fatal diseases, such as pneumonia. Solar-powered oxygen systems in Somalia provide an innovative solution to address pneumonia and prevent pneumonia-related deaths in Somalia. However, before early 2021, health facilities in Somalia struggled to provide patients with critical oxygen.

Pneumonia in Somalia

Many diseases plague Somalia due to widespread poverty and a lack of access to health care, nutritious food, clean water and safe sanitation. In 2019, lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, stood as the number one disease contributing to the highest number of deaths in Somalia. Somalia has one of the world’s highest rates of child mortality and pneumonia accounts for 25% of these deaths.

Pneumonia is a severe respiratory disease impacting the lungs. Caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi, pneumonia leads to breathing difficulties. A person with pneumonia experiences pain while breathing and cannot breathe in enough oxygen. “Pneumonia is the single largest infectious cause of death in children worldwide,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, parents can prevent pneumonia in children through vaccinations to protect against “Hib, pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough (pertussis),” the WHO highlights. To ensure the effectiveness of immunization, adequate nutrition is essential. Because Somalia is one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Somali children suffer from malnutrition and undernutrition, which puts them at risk of weakened immune systems that could make them more susceptible to acquiring pneumonia.

Apart from the importance of adequate nutrition, oxygen is needed in large quantities as a therapy to combat pneumonia. Somalia lacks oxygen systems, tanks and other essential equipment, which makes the treatment of pneumonia and pneumonia-related diseases difficult. The need for oxygen systems in the country became more apparent and urgent during the COVID-19 pandemic as many people needed these to survive.

Poor parents in Somalia struggle to access health care services for their children because of financial constraints, putting timely health care treatment out of reach. Another issue impacting health care facilities is a lack of electricity to operate essential equipment and oxygen concentrators. The introduction of solar-powered oxygen tanks in Somalia resolves this issue.

Solar-Powered Oxygen Systems

A collaboration between the WHO, the innovative nonprofit Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) and a team from the University of Alberta gave rise to an innovation that has so far saved many from pneumonia-related deaths in Somalia.

Dr. Mamunur Rahman Malik, a WHO Somalia representative, said in an interview with VOA News, “pneumonia is the deadliest disease among children under the age of five in the country. Until now, health authorities had not had access to an intervention that could reduce deaths from childhood pneumonia.”

The partners installed the solar-powered oxygen system, “the first of its kind,” in January 2021 at the Hanaano General Hospital in Dusamareb, Somalia. By harnessing the sun, which is a cost-free resource, the systems capture enough solar energy to use during the day, at night and at times when the weather is not sunny, like on cloudy days.

The solar-powered oxygen system provided critical oxygen to 171 patients at the hospital from February 2021 to October 2021. Of these patients, 163 patients (95.3%) made full recoveries.

The innovative and life-saving solar-powered oxygen systems in Somalia have reduced the cost of treatment for pneumonia and pneumonia-related diseases and can operate without an electricity supply. This medical innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the mortality rate in the country.

– Oluwagbohunmi Bajela
Photo: Flickr

,

The 3 Deadliest Noncommunicable Diseases

Noncommunicable Diseases
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) occur due to “genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors.” They are not diseases you can get after touching or being in close contact with someone, but they occur after getting a communicable virus or illness that develops. Common NCDs are cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. In developing nations, NCDs cause 41 million deaths (74% of all deaths globally) per year. NCDs affect all people, but primarily those who have unhealthy diets, are physically inactive, smoke or excessively drink alcohol. The risks are higher in developing nations where unhealthy lifestyles such as high blood pressure, glucose, fat in the blood and obesity have become more prominent.

3 Deadliest Noncommunicable Diseases

  1. Cardiovascular Disease: This is the deadliest noncommunicable disease. Poor diet and a lack of physical activity are the leading causes of this disease. One can also inherit cardiovascular disease. This can lead to an increase in blood pressure, glucose and weight gain. When not treated, cardiovascular disease can progress into heart attacks and strokes, along with diseases that affect one’s arteries, and blood flow such as coronary artery disease and congenital heart disease.
  2. Cancer: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people can avoid up to 50% of cancers with a healthier lifestyle, such as reducing their intake of tobacco and alcohol and getting immunizations for infections that could cause cancer. Cancer is the second deadliest noncommunicable disease, and lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, prostate, cervical and breast are the most common cancers.
  3. Chronic Respiratory Diseases: These diseases affect the airways and lungs, causing breathing difficulty. Besides inheriting, unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, also lead to chronic respiratory diseases. Environmental factors play a huge part too. Exposure to air pollution and poor air quality and ventilation can increase the chances of contracting a respiratory disease. Without proper treatment, people can develop more severe diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypotension, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Looking Ahead

While people can treat these deadliest noncommunicable diseases, many developing nations cannot afford treatment and lack adequate professional health services. Noncommunicable diseases are long-lasting and can cause suffering with symptoms constantly worsening. According to WHO, every two seconds, a noncommunicable disease kills someone under the age of 70. Currently, 14 of 194 countries that NCDs affect are on target to reach “sustainable development goals” and decrease mortality rates by 2030, preventing nearly 30 million deaths. However, only 5% of outside support goes toward preventing and controlling NCDs, where they are often “overlooked and underfunded.”

To detect, screen and treat NCDs, professional health care services need a drastic improvement. The Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030 focuses on the role of governments and stakeholders in reducing and monitoring risk factors and building policies accordingly. For instance, many sectors, such as finance, education and agriculture, need improvement to prevent and control NCDs. In 2019, WHO extended the Global Action Plan from 2013 to 2030 and set nine global targets.

NCDs Around the World

According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), 550 million people globally are reported to suffer from cardiovascular disease (CVD) as of 2019. Asia and Australasia account for 310 million of these cases, with Uzbekistan recording the highest mortality rate. WHO has a focused plan on all NCDs affecting Uzbekistan. As part of its cost-effective preventative measures, the government has tightened laws regarding the use of tobacco as well as salt and alcohol consumption. In addition, there are campaigns to encourage people to become more physically active. Screenings for CVD and diabetes will see an improvement as well as treatment for those who are high risk, new cases and ongoing cases.

In 2020, there were 18,094,716 cancer cases across the globe, with Denmark topping the list in terms of the number of cases. However, the highest mortality rates were in Mongolia. WHO’s 2020 to 2024 plan for decreasing cervical cancer has three primary targets: to vaccinate 90% of girls aged 15 against HPV, to screen 70% of women twice by 35 to 45 with 90% of treatment and support managing 90% of women who have invasive cervical cancer.

Possible Solutions

Globally, 545 million people suffered from a chronic respiratory disease in 2017, according to The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, which has seen an increase of 39.8% compared to 1990. COPD and asthma are the leading causes of mortality rates, especially in South Asia.

In order to diagnose NCDs, the fundamental factors require improvement first. For example, improving NCD data, research capacity and funding such as collaborating with other countries and organizations to produce better services, creating factually-correct strategies, and improving health technology. While there is no treatment-based plan, following SDG Target 3.4 could reduce one-third of premature deaths by 2030.

– Deanna Barratt
Photo: Flickr

,

How Malawi Eliminated Trachoma

Malawi Eliminated Trachoma
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Malawi is among 15 countries that recently eliminated trachoma. Presently, trachoma is one of the 20 most dangerous neglected tropical diseases identified by WHO. The eradication of trachoma has been a 12-year process by the Malawi government and non-governmental organizations. Here are all the facts about how Malawi eliminated trachoma and the lessons from their success in global health.

The History of Trachoma and Malawi

During the last 20 years, people at risk of blindness from trachoma decreased from 1.5 billion to 125 million. However, trachoma remains a severe health problem for more than 35 countries throughout the poorest regions of Central and South America, Asia and Africa. Specifically, trachoma disease is most prevalent in Africa, representing 84% of the worldwide concentration.

In Malawi, trachoma became endemic during the 1980s. But the government ignored the disease until 2008 when WHO and Sightsavers implemented surveys in the country. Afterward, the government of Malawi noted that 7.6 million people could contract trachoma in 2015.

The Path to the Eradication of Trachoma in Malawi

In 1996, WHO created the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020. The plan defined the elimination of trachoma as less than 2% in adults ages 15 or older and only one case per 1,000 people. According to WHO, the project targeted children ages 1 to 9  years old to obtain less than 5% infection. Specifically, Malawi was among the key 25 African countries in the project for the elimination of trachoma.

The effects of trachoma were especially life-threatening for millions of children in Malawi and caused financial instability for their families. However, between 2013 and 2015, the Malawi Ministry of Health mapped and targeted 25 districts most at risk of developing trachoma. The Malawi Ministry of Health used the Global Trachoma Mapping Project guidelines to establish the most endemic districts, which totaled about 9 million people. There were six districts, as the Malawi Ministry of Health reported, but none had surgery services. Lastly, in the Mchinji district, the disease prevalence was 21.3% for children ages 1 to 9 years old.

The Solution

In 2022, the Malawi Ministry of Health eliminated trachoma through SAFE, a strategy that WHO recommended. Furthermore, the Sightsavers organization and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust partly organized and funded the strategy. The SAFE strategy includes surgery to stop eyelashes from scrapping the eye, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvements, according to Uniting to Combat NTDs.

As a result, trained local surgeons treated more than 6,000 cases of trachoma and volunteers distributed more than 22 million drug treatments that Pfizer donated. They supported more than 250 schools to improve hygiene and sanitation in their community. Lastly, Malawi is one of the first countries to adopt the Kigali Declaration on neglected tropical diseases, strengthening their political commitment to eradicate the disease.

A Victory for the People

The eradication of trachoma represents a victory for the people and government of Malawi. However, many lives did not survive in time along the path to find the solution. Still, the complete elimination of the disease represents the effectiveness of collaboration among international efforts.

The Malawi Ministry of Health, WHO, nonprofit organizations and the willingness to adopt the SAFE strategy demonstrate the value of continual support for these international organizations by high-income countries and individuals.

– Andres Valencia
Photo: Flickr

,

What to Know About Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers schistosomiasis “a disease of poverty.” Schistosomiasis is categorized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) as it primarily affects tropical locations “where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.” Schistosomiasis is “highly endemic” in Tanzania — it has the second highest number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa behind Nigeria. As a result, efforts are underway to help counter the spread of this disease.

The Background

Schistosomiasis, more commonly known as bilharzia, is an infectious disease that affects around 240 million individuals globally, according to WHO. After malaria, bilharzia is the second most devastating illness that parasites cause, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. WHO says “infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation.”

A person can become infected when the skin comes into contact with freshwater contaminated with Schistosoma parasites. More significant signs of infection, such as fever and muscle aches, begin within one or two months. “Symptoms of schistosomiasis are caused by the body’s reaction to the eggs produced by worms, not by the worms themselves,” the CDC says. This immune reaction can cause damage to the organs and bring about other health issues.

There are two main forms of the disease: intestinal and urogenital. Children who become infected with these parasites several times “can develop anemia, malnutrition and learning difficulties.” Furthermore, “after years of infection, the parasite can also damage the liver, intestine, lungs and bladder,” according to the CDC.

Chronic schistosomiasis arises when the parasites remain in the body for a long time and the body produces immune responses against the parasitic eggs once they reach body tissue. Cases of chronic schistosomiasis in Tanzania are common and may limit people’s capacity to work.

Past and Current Epidemiology

During the 70s and 80s, Tanzania noted a pressing need to build new irrigation systems and dams to provide clean water for the growing population. However, these innovations had a negative effect on the expansion of the disease since schistosome parasites that live inside snails grow optimally in fresh water. Furthermore, the prevalence of the disease seems to rise as the country’s population size expands. In Tanzania, in 1977, the prevalence rate stood at 19% but swelled to 51.5% (more than 23 million people) by 2012. In 2019, around 15 million people in Tanzania required treatment for schistosomiasis in Tanzania.

Efforts to Tackle Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

WHO recommends “large-scale treatment of at-risk population groups, access to safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene education and snail control” to adequately address schistosomiasis. WHO endorsed treatment for the disease involves the administration of an anti-parasite drug known as praziquantel. In Tanzania, praziquantel is distributed on a large scale to schools and communities.

According to WHO, Tanzania received approximately 33 million praziquantel treatments for mass administration from 2009 to 2018, with a focus on school children.

Thanks to the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST) program, which took place from 2011 to 2017, the prevalence of the disease was reduced. Among children aged 9-12, prevalence decreased from 6.1% to 1.7%, while among adults aged 20-55, prevalence decreased from 3.9% to 1.5% by 2017. This successful project, launched by the Zanzibar government, mainly focused on the distribution of praziquantel twice a year, snail control measures and behavioral adjustments among the populace.

However, knowledge about the disease and how to prevent or treat it is integral for reducing future cases. Many people still do not have access to treatment and others prefer not to take the treatment due to a lack of information. This, added to the fact that one can become reinfected, shows why control is difficult. For example, in Mtama, a city that belongs to the Lindi region in Tanzania, the prevalence of the disease is still more than 50%. This is due to a lack of knowledge, interrupted access to praziquantel and unhygienic water practices, among other reasons.

WHO Guideline

In February 2022, WHO released a guideline for the control of schistosomiasis in affected nations. The guideline covers several evidence-based recommendations, including:

  • Snail control measures to decrease transmission risks.
  • Water, sanitation and hygiene efforts in approaches to control the disease.
  • The “expansion of preventive chemotherapy to all in need, including adults and preschool-aged children.”

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania is still a problem that affects a large part of the population, despite the control systems implemented throughout the years. In a country with a population of about 58 million in 2019, 15 million people required treatment for this disease. Implementing comprehensive measures will safeguard the well-being of citizens in an endemic country.

– Carla Tomas
Photo: Flickr