Archive for category: Disease

Information and news about disease category

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Fighting the Most Common Diseases in Cambodia

Common Diseases in Cambodia
Since Cambodia is a developing country in Asia, it is prone to the spread of diseases. It is not uncommon for drinking water to be home to bacteria and other parasites. People, of course, rely on water for everything, making Cambodia’s contaminated water sources a major issue. Here are some of the most common diseases in Cambodia:

  1. Malaria
    Cities such as Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are free of the risk of malaria, but the rest of Cambodia is exposed to it. Female Anopheles mosquitos spread the disease in Cambodia at night through their bites. When a person is bitten, “parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia.”Malaria can be contracted year-round, especially in the western part of the country, making it one of the most common diseases in Cambodia. Those who contract malaria must be put on an antimalarial drug so that it does not attack major organs and cut off blood flow to the brain.
  2. HIV/AIDS
    AIDS in Cambodia is the most common cause of death for children and female sex workers. For female prostitutes, it is extremely difficult to get the drugs needed to treat HIV because their line of work is illegal. An article in the New York Times states that “sex workers are about 12 times as likely to be infected with HIV as other women in their communities.” Many of these women are mothers and pass the disease onto their children.HIV has become such a major issue in Cambodia because there are not enough drugs accessible to mothers to prevent spreading it to their children. With less discrimination and easier access to needed medications, HIV/AIDS could be lessened.
  3. Dengue Fever
    Dengue fever is a disease that is mainly contracted from mosquitos during the rainy season in Cambodia. The infected mosquitos live wherever there is garbage or standing water which can be found in both rural and urban parts of Cambodia. It takes almost a week for the symptoms of dengue to appear, but when they do, many mistake them for the flu. This is usually followed by vomiting, pain in the abdomen and a high fever if it progresses into dengue hemorrhagic fever. Dengue is a disease in Cambodia that can be fatal but can also lead to immunity from infections.
  4. Tuberculosis
    The risk of contracting tuberculosis in Cambodia is high. It is an airborne infection that attacks the lungs and “the lymphatic system, central nervous system, urogenital area, joints, and bones.” People in Cambodia can contract tuberculosis by being around an infected person or drinking unpasteurized milk. Symptoms include chest pain, fever, lack of appetite and being extremely weak. While tuberculosis is typically treated with antibiotics, there is a growing concern that some people have developed a form of the infection that cannot be treated.

By taking more precautions and providing the tools needed to prevent these common diseases in Cambodia, the country could be looking at a healthier population.

– Mackenzie Fielder

Photo: Flickr

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The Three Most Common Diseases in Iceland

Common Diseases in Iceland
Iceland is a country with a small population of about 338,000, making the nation ideal for medical research. Due to a long period of isolation, natives are genetically similar. This means that identifying common diseases in Iceland is simple.

Below are the three most common diseases in Iceland according to the most current global health statistics.

  1. The number one cause of death in Iceland is Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). CHD is “caused by damage or inflammation of the blood vessels that supply the heart.” The result is a narrowing of the blood vessels that slows or prevents blood from reaching the heart. Per 100,000 people in Iceland, about 139 people die annually from CHD. It also contributes to “1,696 annual years of healthy life lost per 100,000 people.”CHD persists in Iceland due to a poor diet that contributes to 87% of the total deaths caused by the disease. Since 1990, the average years of healthy life lost due to CHD has dropped by 42%. This is most likely due to continued research on CHD and the promotion of a healthier diet.
  2. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the number two cause of death in Iceland. AD is the most common form of dementia, which is the loss of memory and other important cognitive functions. AD is mainly caused by genetic predisposition, though many think of it as a normal part of aging. The disease worsens over time so that memory loss increases gradually over many years. The number of people with AD globally is increasing as more people live past the age of 65. In Iceland, AD-caused fatalities increased by 16.9% between 2005 and 2015. Iceland is more susceptible to AD because of its small population and limited genetic diversity. This population also makes it ideal for genetic study towards curing diseases like this. A genetics firm named deCODE based in Iceland has already sequenced the genomes of 2,636 inhabitants working towards this goal. Utilizing their genetic research, scientists have identified two genes, TM2D3 and ABCA7, that are risk factors for AD. Moving forward this information could be utilized to help end AD worldwide.
  3. After cerebrovascular disease, a cardiovascular disease, lung cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in Iceland. Not just one of the common diseases in Iceland, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. A majority of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking tobacco products. In Iceland, tobacco smoke is the second-ranking risk factor that “drives the most death and disability.”Iceland joined the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on Feb. 27, 2005, in an attempt to combat this. Since then, Iceland has established smoke-free public places, banned most tobacco advertising and required warnings on tobacco products.

The three most common diseases in Iceland are also common to most developed nations, including the United States. Placing more attention on global health will be important in preventing and curing these diseases through collaboration and collective research.

– Haley Hurtt

Photo: Google

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Three Common Diseases in Romania

Diseases in Romania
Romania is a Balkan country bordering the Black Sea. Romania was under communist rule from World War II until 1989. The healthcare system in Romania faces corruption and a lack of medical professionals. Three of the most common diseases in Romania are measles, HIV/AIDS and cirrhosis.

  1. MeaslesThere is a current outbreak of measles in Romania. So far the virus has upward of 3,400 new cases. Symptoms of measles are a high fever, cough, runny nose and a red rash. The fever will break and the rash subsides after a few days. Measles is highly contagious; if one person has it, 90% of people who are close to that initial person but not immune will become infected. The virus is spread through coughing and sneezing. The virus spread through Romania because there is a suboptimal vaccination rate. Doctors hope that a community will have a vaccination rate of 95% to create immunity. Unfortunately, the measles vaccination rate in Romania has decreased in recent years to 86% in 2015. The Romanian government is working swiftly to decrease this risk. The government lowered the vaccination age from 12 months to nine months and distributed leaflets in doctor’s offices about the importance of vaccination and early symptoms. In addition, the government is attempting to pass a law mandating the vaccination of children before they enter school.
  2. HIV/AIDSMany people in Romania are infected with HIV/AIDS. Since 1985, 21,263 Romanians have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Heterosexual unprotected sex was the main method of HIV transmission in new cases in 2015 (59% of new cases). The number of new cases of HIV/AIDS decreased slightly in 2015 compared to previous years. Romania has one of the highest rates of AIDS among children in Europe; around 10,000 children have been diagnosed in Romania since 1985. During the last years of the communist era in Romania, there were unsafe blood transfusion and inoculation procedures for young children. It is believed that this led to the infection of many children in Romania.

    The Romanian government has made many strides in policy to decrease the prevalence of AIDS in the country. The National Strategy for Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction hopes to decrease the incidence of the disease among vulnerable groups. In addition, the government has directed funding for increased HIV testing among the general population and pregnant women.

  3. CirrhosisCirrhosis is another one of the most common diseases in Romania and was the number three cause of premature death in 2010. In 2013, 40.8 per 100,000 people died from cirrhosis in Romania. Most deadly cases of cirrhosis in Romania are due to Hepatitis C and alcohol use. Cirrhosis is the buildup of scar tissue on the liver that occurs when the liver is damaged. Cirrhosis can be treated by treating the underlying cause of the disease; one could reduce alcohol intake or take medications to control damage to the liver caused by hepatitis. To combat the prevalence of cirrhosis, Romania is trying to remove its causes by creating awareness and prevention for hepatitis C. In 2013 two new governmental organizations were formed in Romania to reduce harms associated with drug use. The government now funds needle exchange programs and HIV and hepatitis C testing.

For each of these diseases in Romania the government seems to acknowledge the threat they place on society and is taking swift action to reduce their impact. Most of the government programs are education-based, but some legislative action has been passed or is in the process of passing. Romania should continue to alert people to the risk factors of common diseases and provide instruments to slow their spread.

– Sarah Denning

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in Afghanistan Compounded By War

Diseases in Afghanistan
Afghanistan, or the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in South-Central Asia. With a total population of 32,527,000, Afghanistan is the 42nd most populous country in the world. Due to constant conflict, disease and other factors, the probability of dying between the ages of 15 and 60 years is 284 for every 1,000 people. Decades of war and neglect from international investors, the already struggling healthcare system has been left in tatters, allowing for the increase of both noncommunicable and communicable diseases in Afghanistan.

Noncommunicable diseases
One of the most common causes of death due to diseases in Afghanistan is noncommunicable diseases. Coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease and stroke are some of the most common diseases in the country. Afghanistan is currently ranked at number one in the world for rheumatic heart disease deaths.

Hepatitis A and E
Both hepatitis A and hepatitis E are most commonly spread through food and water contaminated with fecal matter. They are both viral diseases that affect the functioning of the liver. Hepatitis A and E occur in areas with poor sanitation and can cause symptoms of fever, jaundice and diarrhea.

Bacteria and protozoal diarrhea
Bacterial agents such as E. coli, Campylobacter, shigella and salmonella are the most common causes of acute bacterial diarrhea. Amoebiasis infection rate has been estimated at three percent in the Afghan population. Giardiasis was discovered in up to 11% of surveyed children.

Cholera
Another major diarrheal disease in Afghanistan is cholera. Cholera is an acute illness that is caused by an infection of the intestine with the bacteria vibrio cholera. The infection is generally mild and without symptoms but can become severe. An estimated 1 in every 10 people infected with cholera will have severe symptoms including watery diarrhea, vomiting and leg cramps. The rapid loss of bodily fluids can lead to dehydration and shock, which could prove fatal without treatment.

Influenza and Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection affecting the nose, throat, airways and lungs. Pneumonia has 30 different attributing causes but is generally due to bacteria, mycoplasma, other infectious agents (such as fungi and parasites) and chemicals. A total of 12.81% of deaths are caused by influenza and pneumonia combined, making them some of the most deadly diseases in Afghanistan.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a contagious infection that attacks the lungs specifically but can also affect the brain and spine. It is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is generally spread through the air, similarly to the common cold. The germs grow slowly, making it contagious but not easy to catch. Deaths caused by tuberculosis is currently ranked at number 17 in the world, making it one of the most dangerous diseases in Afghanistan.

These common diseases in Afghanistan represent a significant risk to the country’s citizens. The Afghan government, along with other organizations such as the World Health Organization, have been working hard to spread awareness and promote positive health in the country. There is still much that has to be done in Afghanistan in order to promote the positive health of its citizens and to limit the impact of these diseases.

– Drew Hazzard

Photo: Flickr

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Common Diseases in Bahrain

Diseases in Bahrain
Bahrain is a nation in the Arabian Gulf consisting of a small archipelago. With a population of just over 1.3 million, Bahrain may seem small, but it has some large health issues. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers and diabetes pose the largest threat to health in Bahrain. These non-communicable diseases share many common risk factors that can be controlled in order to prevent disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are common in Bahrain. Twenty-six percent of all deaths in Bahrain can be linked to cardiovascular diseases. Cancer and diabetes are also prevalent diseases in Bahrain and each account for 13% of all deaths. Lung and bronchial cancers as the most common cancers in Bahrain.

Poor dietary behaviors are the largest contributing risk factor for all health issues in Bahrain. Eating a diet high in sodium and trans fats and low in whole grains, fruits and vegetables puts Bahranians at risk for cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. These diseases are also risk factors for one another, but all have links to poor diet.

Another key risk factor contributing to both cancers and cardiovascular diseases in Bahrain is tobacco use. More than 5,000 children and 185,000 adults use tobacco every day in the country. Four men and one woman are killed by tobacco-related diseases every week.

The Bahrain Cancer Society recognizes the importance of education about risk factors and taking preventative health measures. The government also has active plans and programs that are helping reduce tobacco use and promote healthy diets.

Landmark Group’s Beat Diabetes initiative, for example, is a program launched to help people recognize and prevent diabetes, which is also linked to cardiovascular diseases and shares many of the same risk factors. The initiative was started in 2009, and by 2015 it had reached over six million people throughout the Gulf states.

With preventative measures in place to combat non-communicable diseases and reduce risk factors for disease, Bahrain can reduce the prevalence of some of its most common diseases. Government programs and nongovernmental organizations’ initiatives aimed at preventing and recognizing early signs of disease already point to a hopeful future for Bahrain.

– Rilee Pickle

Photo: Flickr

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Five Common Diseases in Bangladesh and How to Address Them

Common Diseases in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is an impoverished country, yet in recent years, its healthcare has steadily improved. Despite being much poorer that Pakistan, India and Nepal, it has the lowest infant and child mortality rates, the highest vaccination rates and the farthest-reaching family planning.

However, even with the magnificent progress made by private medicine companies and NGOs over the past few decades, there are still many diseases that people in Bangladesh have to struggle with. The five categories below are a sample of various common diseases in Bangladesh and how people are working to prevent and treat them.

1. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common and often dangerous condition for many in Bangladesh.  The dangers are especially true for young children. Though diarrhea is sometimes a symptom of more serious issues, diarrhea itself can be caused by diseases like cholera that are a result of poor water and sanitation.

Better knowledge about the dangers of contaminated water along with increased access to safe water and proper sanitation can prevent the spread of these bacteria. For those already afflicted, oral rehydration therapy helps reduce dehydration and prevent further sickness or death.

2. Tuberculosis 

Tuberculosis (TB) is rare in developed countries, but developing countries like Bangladesh still report large numbers of TB. In 2010, TB accounted for three percent of the country’s total deaths that year. The CDC and other organizations work on improving prevention, infection control, and treatment, though multi-drug-resistant strains have made the treatment of TB much more challenging.

Doctors in Bangladesh have found a much shorter and more efficient method of treating multi-drug-resistant strains using a method now named the Bangladesh Regimen. This regimen results in almost 88% cured compared to the usual 11 to 79%. Though the treatment is still in the first decade of use, the results show a marked improvement, and it is an exciting step in treating TB in Bangladesh and in other countries.

3. Respiratory Infections

Respiratory infections such as influenza and pneumonia are common diseases in Bangladesh, and they are one of the leading causes of death. They rank second in the top ten causes of death in Bangladesh, with lower respiratory infections alone resulting in seven percent of total deaths in the country.

High immunization coverage decreases the rate of infection, but the lack of treatment due to ignorance is one of the main reasons that respiratory infections cause so many deaths. Only 37% of children are taken to a health care provider when they show symptoms of pneumonia, so increasing health awareness and education is a crucial step to reducing deadly respiratory infections.

4. Preterm Birth Complications and Neonatal Encephalopathy 

Preterm birth complications and neonatal encephalopathy (commonly known as birth asphyxia) are two common diseases in Bangladesh that center around infancy. Together, these two diseases made up 7% of deaths in 2010. About 28,000 babies in Bangladesh will die the day that they are born. However, many of these deaths could get prevented with better prenatal and postnatal care. Improving medical facilities and making them more accessible to everyone, especially those in rural areas, will help more babies survive and live a healthy life.

5. Heart Diseases 

Various heart diseases are the leading cause of death when examined as a group, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, and stroke. Combined, they were responsible for 18% of deaths in 2010, which indicates that heart disease is a serious issue in Bangladesh.

Though heart conditions are common in many countries, they occur in Bangladesh on average ten years earlier than in most countries, with 40% of cases in people less than 50. Some causes of Bangladesh’s heart diseases are relatively standard. Consuming a large amount of rice, sugar, and fish was linked to higher rates of heart attacks and 80% of heart attack patients use tobacco.

Recent research has shown that arsenic, copper and lead were in the blood of some heart attack victims, signifying that toxic heavy metals likely contribute to the high rates of heart disease as well. Standard education about a healthy lifestyle and awareness of symptoms are important to reduce heart disease rates, but addressing the issues unique to Bangladesh such as toxic metal contamination and poverty induced stress is crucial as well.

The Takeaway

These five disease categories are only some of the common diseases in Bangladesh. There are hundreds of other diseases and health issues that afflict people in Bangladesh, but the severity of many diseases has decreased thanks to continually improving healthcare and education.

High rates of immunization and vaccinations help prevent diseases such as polio and measles, but there are still many ways for Bangladesh to continue fighting illness and improving their healthcare. Though 84% of children get vaccinated through age two, limited medical services in rural regions and lack of family funding sometimes causes households to drop out after the first round of vaccines. As a result, addressing these issues will help improve countrywide health.

Continued education about various health practices and symptoms will also be necessary to prevent and treat diseases. NGOs will likely continue to play a significant role in Bangladesh’s improving health, but addressing poverty and increasing fair access to healthcare will be indispensable as Bangladesh moves forward.

– Rachael Lind

Photo: Flickr

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What are the Top Diseases in Iraq?

Top Diseases in Iraq
The people of Iraq face many obstacles to their safety. When discussing the middle eastern country, many focus on the physical threats of violence, terrorism and forceful opposition. Health is also a hazard. Diseases spread in many ways. Infection can be airborne, blood born or spread through food and water. Blood-borne diseases, such as Hepatitis A and B, are a risk in Iraq. The two main transmission types in Iraq are food or water-borne and vector-borne. Here are some of the top diseases in Iraq.

  1. Food or Waterborne
    Hepatitis A is spread through a fecal-oral path. This route of disease infection occurs when fecal matter from an infected person is in the food or water consumed by another person, thus infecting the recipient of the food or water. This is why sanitation is the best precaution other than immunization. The spread of this disease occurs because of poor sanitation in food preparation. The risk of infection is much higher in developing or poor countries due to a lack of proper sanitation, which is why Hepatitis A is one of the top diseases in Iraq.Another food or waterborne disease that contributes to the top diseases in Iraq is Typhoid fever. Typhoid is a bacterial disease that contributes very high fevers. Like Hepatitis A, this is spread through fecal-contaminated food or water. Typhoid fever has a higher mortality rate. If the disease is not treated, one in five do not survive.
  2. Vector-borne
    Vector-borne diseases are spread through animals, insects or parasites. One of the top diseases in Iraq is malaria. Malaria is spread by mosquito bites. The disease causes parasites to accumulate in the liver and attack red blood cells. This often leads to death from interrupted blood supply to vital organs.Another top disease in Iraq is yellow fever. This, again, is spread through the bite of a mosquito. Although the severity varies, there is a mortality rate of 20 percent.

These top diseases in Iraq are less common in developed countries, as there are vaccines available. The economic infrastructure in Iraq does not allow for many of its citizens’ access to such life-saving precautionary medication.

– Nate Harris

Photo: Flickr

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The Most Common Diseases in Chile and Great Strides Toward Eradication

Common Diseases in Chile
Home to 17 million people, the longest country in the world has made great strides to become a developed country. From 2000 to 2015, Chile’s poverty rate decreased from 26% to 7.9%. With a growing economy and unemployment rates at a stable level, life in Chile is signaling progress, but there are still common diseases in Chile that need to be addressed.

Diarrheal Diseases
Common among third world countries, diarrheal diseases continue to hold Chile back. Although Chile is widely regarded as a developed country, this antiquated disease is still a problem. Diarrhea is most common among tourists as contaminated water and uncooked food are the disease’s leading causes. Tourists are unaccustomed to the food and unaware of what may or may not be safe to eat, and thereby are perfect victims of this watery disease. Diarrheal diseases are a problem for the citizens of Chile as well.

Nineteen out of 100,000 people die every year in Chile due to diarrheal diseases. This number may seem relatively low, but for a country that claims to be developed, it is much higher than it should be. The treatment is relatively simple, as clean water and food are all that is necessary to contain the disease. These two necessities have proved difficult for Chile as contaminated food and water cause a number of other diseases as well.

Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases continue to be prevalent among developed countries and are some of the common diseases in Chile. Twenty-seven percent of deaths are attributed to these diseases. The probability of dying from cardiovascular disease in Chile is gradually increasing and continues to rank up above diabetes and cancer in terms of the number of fatalities caused.

Cancer
Barely trailing behind cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the cause of 26% of all deaths in Chile. Similar to cardiovascular disease, cancer is found in developed countries around the world. Out of all forms of cancer, gastric cancer is the most common in Chile.

The average number of deaths related to gastric cancer is 3,000 every year. Typically, 15 per 100,000 women and 13 per 100,000 men are killed by gastric cancer. These numbers are higher than anywhere else but in East Asia.

There are many factors that determine how developed a state is. For Chile, diarrheal diseases show that there are still some ways to go but that many diseases associated with developing countries are being managed. Of the common diseases in Chile, diarrheal diseases are the only ones with significance in terms of how Chile is doing socially and economically. It will take time to eradicate the diseases, but Chile has a healthy future.

– Sophie Casimes

Photo: Google

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Common Diseases in North Korea

Common Diseases in North Korea
For the past years 30 years, North Korea has been incredibly impoverished. The health care system in North Korea is minuscule at best. Children are often malnourished to the point of stunted growth, people cannot receive proper medical attention, and diseases that have been largely eradicated in most parts of the world are still prevalent. Common diseases in North Korea stem from poverty.

North Korea has a unique poverty situation; the government puts money into military spending instead of focusing on the health and prosperity of its people.

In North Korea, the greatest number of deaths come from non-communicable diseases. Although non-communicable diseases—such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases—cause the most mortality, the magnitude of problems caused by malnutrition and communicable diseases increases the likelihood of disease burden in the future. A lack of sufficient nutrition makes fighting off diseases difficult because the immune system has no strength. About a third of North Korean children show signs of stunted growth; starving children are also more susceptible to diseases, making their life expectancy low.

Common diseases in North Korea include cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease. In 2013, strokes, ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were North Korea’s most deadly sources of harm. Communicable diseases like tuberculosis and malaria are endemic in North Korea. Tuberculosis, a curable disease, affects 345 out of 100,000 North Koreans. This is considered to be one of the highest rates outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Tuberculosis is a disease associated with poverty, bleak conditions, and a lack of sanitation.

One of the main reasons why these health issues are so apparent is that there is zero guarantee of health care. Article 56 of the North Korean constitution specifies free medical care for all citizens. This has not been accurate. If a patient is unable to provide money or a gift to a doctor, their illness will often go untreated. Most of the patients are too impoverished to provide any sort of compensation. Even if they can provide compensation, there are often not enough resources for help to be provided.

“There are doctors and buildings, but no aspirin, no anesthetic, no basic medicines, no heating, no soap, no milk and therefore no patients. The health system in North Korea collapsed, leaving almost the entire population with no care except for traditional ‘Korio’ herbal medicine,” said Dr. Eric Goemaere, director of Doctors Without Borders. The lack of resources has been going on for approximately four years.

Common diseases in North Korea, such as tuberculosis, show that North Korea is behind the international community. Instead of using its money to provide health care, it uses it for military spending. However, North Korea can’t be a strong, resilient nation when its people are sick. North Korea needs to think about the needs of the people and give doctors the resources to help the sick effectively.

– Lucy Voegeli

Photo: Flickr

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The Most Common Diseases in Indonesia

Common Diseases in Indonesia
Indonesia is considered a hotspot for various diseases, due to factors such as tropical climate, biodiversity and frequent interaction between humans and animals. The CIA World Factbook states that some of the most common diseases in Indonesia, with a “very high” degree of risk, are as follows:

Dengue fever
Dengue is a vector-borne disease transmitted through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, which can spread more quickly in an environment that lacks reliable sanitation or produces garbage regularly. A recent study reported in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that more than half of all children in Indonesia’s urban areas were infected with dengue by the age of five, and over 80% of them have been infected with the dengue virus at least once by age 10. Typically, the outbreak of the disease surges every three to four years, with the most recent surge having occurred at the beginning of 2016.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that 71,668 cases of dengue fever were recorded in 2014, with 641 of these cases ending in death. Although the number of cases on the national level seems to be on the decline, the number has been increasing in several areas, including North Sumatra, Riau, West Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Bali and Jakarta.

Malaria
Another one of the most common diseases in Indonesia is malaria. While Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and other large cities are relatively free from the risk of malaria, other areas in the country are still vulnerable to the disease. According to the data from the Ministry of Health, malaria is still rampant in the provinces of Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku and West Papua. An Indonesian health official from the Maluku province, whose local health department has been carrying out efforts to eradicate the disease, stated that eliminating the disease would require maintaining a healthy environment, killing mosquito larva through fogging, regular blood tests and the use of mosquito nets.

Bacterial diarrhea
Diarrhea was once a leading cause of death for children under the age of five in Indonesia, accounting for almost 25% of child mortality. Although efforts to combat mortality from the disease have decreased the death rates to approximately 2.5 per 1,000, the incidence of bacteria has remained constant at 25 to 30 million per year in children under the age of five. The fact that the number of outbreaks has not changed much implies the need for more innovative solutions to deal with the disease.

These three are among the most common diseases in Indonesia. Recently, the Indonesian government has been carrying out various policies to achieve the goal of attaining universal water and sanitation access by 2019, which, if successful, could help the country make significant progress in fighting these diseases.

 – Minh Joo Yi

Photo: Flickr