Information and stories about global health.

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Nanozymes hold promise for developing countries

NanozymesNano enzymes (nanozymes) are an emerging technology that could transform the fields of disease diagnosis, environmental remediation and food safety. Made from nano materials, nanozymes can mimic the functions of natural enzymes while exhibiting enhanced optical, electrical and chemical properties. Due to their low cost, high stability and ease of mass production, nanozymes hold promise for developing countries as they have the potential to provide affordable, accessible healthcare solutions to those living in poverty.

What are Nanozymes

Nanozymes are processed from various types of nanomaterials and must be biodegradable and biocompatible as they are used in living and environmental systems. Their synthetic nature makes them highly stable, unlike natural enzymes that degrade, enabling reliable mass production with standard techniques such as chemical reduction. Nanozymes are generally classified into four groups: metallic-based, metal oxide-based, carbon-based, and others (such as metal-organic frameworks).

Nanozymes possess numerous properties that make them extremely valuable, with different types of nanozymes exhibiting unique attributes and capabilities. Noble metal- (e.g. silver and gold) based nanozymes possess antibacterial activity, providing the ability to treat infectious illness. Metal- and carbon-based nanozymes exhibit antioxidant properties and have the potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s as well as other conditions such as cancer and kidney disease.

Due to their high catalytic activity, metal, metal-oxide and carbon-based nanozymes can function as biosensors, aiding in detection of cancer, viruses and food-borne pathogens and can also be used to treat environmental pollution due to their bioactive nature. Metal-organic nanozymes, with high porosity and catalytic activity, can also be used for environmental remediation.

Diagnosis of Ebola

The Ebola virus is one of the world’s deadliest viruses. Without treatment, up to 90% of cases are fatal. From 2014 to 2016, West Africa experienced the largest ever Ebola outbreak with more than 28,600 people infected. Due to vaccines and early isolation, the number of new Ebola cases has since decreased considerably, though innovative detection solutions could potentially reduce the rate even more. A new method that could even more rapidly detect the virus uses an MNP-based immunochromatographic strip capable of identifying the Ebola virus glycoprotein. The proposed strip provides results quickly and is simpler to use than the standard test strip, as it does not require specialized facilities and people can read it with the naked eye. With a sensitivity of more than 100 times that of standard tests, the anticipated nanozyme strip could have great benefits for Ebola diagnosis.

Nanozymes for Treatment Of Water

Industrial production can discharge high concentrations of chemicals into wastewater. This can lead to environmental pollution and human health issues without proper treatment. Traditional biochemical water treatment techniques can be inefficient in degrading wastewater chemicals, while nanozymes are capable of efficiently oxidizing chemicals and eliminating them from the wastewater. Nanozymes are just beginning to enter the water treatment market space and are another way in which nanozymes hold promise for developing countries.

Food Microbe Detection

Foodborne microbes such as Listeria and Salmonella can cause sickness and even death. The risk of foodborne illness is highest in low- and middle-income countries due to inadequate food storage conditions, poor preparation practices and lack of food safety laws.

Traditional food microbial detection techniques can be time-consuming, requiring several processing steps, while food microbe biosensing nanozymes can detect microbial contaminants in food more efficiently with high accuracy, according to Biomimetics.

Swift detection of food contaminants can halt the provocation of foodborne illness and reduce the monetary burden on individuals. Affordable food microbial-sensing nanozymes are currently on the market and can provide great benefits to those in developing countries who have minimal economic resources.

Shown to increase the speed and efficiency of key health-related activities such as disease diagnosis, food safety monitoring and environmental treatment processes, nanozymes hold promise for developing countries that could greatly benefit from their low cost, straight forward production process and their fast-acting capabilities.

– Debbie Barto

Debbie is based in Monroe, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Healing the River: Schistosomiasis in São Tomé and Príncipe

Fighting Schistosomiasis in São Tomé and PríncipeSchistosomiasis or bilharzia thrives where people lack safe water and sanitation. Schistosomiasis remains endemic in São Tomé and Príncipe, primarily caused by Schistosoma intercalatum. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the country as requiring preventive chemotherapy, indicating ongoing transmission. Despite multiple rounds of mass drug administration, the disease persists in certain communities, particularly near streams and rice fields, where children remain at risk. Ongoing surveillance is essential to monitor and address localized transmission hotspots.

A Low-Level but Stubborn Threat

Recent studies confirm that São Tomé and Príncipe maintains a low but persistent level of schistosomiasis transmission, primarily caused by Schistosoma intercalatum. According to research published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2023, national prevalence remains low following repeated rounds of mass drug administration and health education campaigns. Ongoing surveillance continues to identify limited transmission in certain communities, underscoring the need for sustained control measures under World Health Organization guidance.

Momentum Since 2014

After a nationwide mapping survey in 2014, the Ministry of Health launched preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel in schools. In 2015 alone, more than 31,000 school-age children received treatment—an essential step to cut infections and protect those most at risk. Continued surveillance has turned up only sporadic cases, including a rare neuroschistosomiasis report in 2020, underscoring why vigilance still matters even as prevalence drops.

A 2024 Milestone: Halting Mass Drug Administration

Regional partners now point to a major achievement. The WHO Africa region’s ESPEN program reported in its 2024 annual review that São Tomé and Príncipe halted mass drug administration (MDA) in all endemic implementation units, marking a key waypoint toward elimination. ESPEN’s 2025 data updates also list STP among countries that did not conduct MDA in 2024, consistent with a transition from blanket treatment to targeted surveillance and response.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: The Long Game

Treatment alone cannot finish the job. Lasting gains depend on safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) so people aren’t re-exposed to rivers and irrigation canals. UNICEF reports recent WASH actions in STP, including strengthening handwashing behaviours and coordinating a multisectoral WASH platform—efforts that protect families from schistosomiasis and other infections. Global JMP updates from WHO/UNICEF show why this matters: many health facilities and households worldwide still lack basic WASH services, a gap that sustains NTD transmission.

What’s Needed Next

São Tomé and Príncipe continue national efforts aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to control schistosomiasis. Current work includes post–mass drug administration monitoring, integrating surveillance into primary health care and coordinating with education and water agencies to sustain prevention gains. The Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and international partners, maintains praziquantel distribution in areas where transmission remains and tracks infection data to guide control strategies. These ongoing initiatives reflect the country’s commitment to meeting the WHO’s 2030 targets for neglected tropical diseases.

Why it Matters

Eliminating schistosomiasis saves children from anaemia, abdominal pain and missed classes, and it strengthens primary health care. With MDA paused and WASH investments growing, São Tomé and Príncipe has a real shot at stopping transmission. Sustained funding for surveillance and water infrastructure can help the islands turn a quiet success into a permanent victory.

– Katie Williams

Katie is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Maternal and Child Health in Burkina Faso

Ongoing Efforts to Address Maternal and Child Health in Burkina Faso Burkina Faso has the 11th-highest child mortality rate in the world. More than 5% of children die before their fifth birthday, and approximately 2% of infants die within their first month of life. Barriers to access to health care include distance to health care facilities, cost of health care, transportation costs, widespread poverty and delayed access to emergency obstetric care. The government is aware of this pervasive issue and has been working alongside other organizations for at least two decades to address the problems.

Displacement and Health Care Disruptions

Insecurity, climatic shocks and COVID-19 led to forced displacements across Burkina Faso. By 2020, more than 1 million people, especially women and children, were deprived of essential health care services due to facility closures, staff shortages and limited resources. Pregnant women delivered their babies in unsafe conditions, children did not receive critical vaccinations, and people with chronic illnesses experienced treatment disruptions.

Health Financing Reforms

Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health and those who have partnered with it have responded in several ways. The government of Burkina Faso implemented three major health financing reforms to improve maternal and child health:

  • a national subsidy policy for maternity care, which translates to an 80% reduction in health care fees at health centers,
  • a results-based financing scheme,
  • free health care for maternal and child care for those under 5 in all public health facilities.

The result of this endeavor increased health care appointments, decreased household costs, reduced cesarean deliveries and intra-hospital infant mortality.

Training Midwives in Obstetric Ultrasound

In 2021, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health introduced a new initiative. The goal was to train midwives in basic obstetric ultrasound during consultations to improve pregnancy monitoring. These ultrasounds help determine gestation date, detect fetal abnormalities, ectopic pregnancies, assess fetal growth and determine the most suitable delivery method. In 2023, 18 midwives were trained. They performed more than 2,000 ultrasounds between January 2024 and March 2025. This led to the identification and management of 10 high-risk pregnancies.

Strengthening Health Systems

A shortage of equipment, staff and supplies also threatens the expansion of this initiative into other districts. In response to this threat, Burkina Faso began a new initiative funded by the Canadian Embassy with the goal of strengthening health care systems in regions of the country most affected by humanitarian crises. The goal was to improve access to primary health care services and provide lifesaving support to those who need it most.

This initiative was successful in that seven health care centers and 24 labs were equipped with essential medicines, medical-technical materials and lab supplies. A total of 371 community-based health workers received training to provide care and strengthen local community networks, including women’s groups. More than 30,000 people were reached, educating them about COVID-19 prevention, available health care services and reproductive health options.

This initiative strengthened disease surveillance and emergency response mechanisms. Health care workers conducted hygiene awareness campaigns using a megaphone and bicycles in remote areas. Since then, women’s groups and community leaders have initiated conversations about family planning and gender-based violence.

A Hopeful Outlook

Burkina Faso demonstrates concern for the well-being of its citizens. These relationships foster optimism and hope for both a better future and maternal and child health in Burkina Faso

– Danielle Milano

Danielle is based in Pineville, LA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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HIV/AIDS in Guatemala

hiv/Aids in guatemalaHIV/AIDS has been one of the most taboo diseases to date, with many having negative attitudes and beliefs about people who have it. Harmful stereotypes about HIV/AIDS have prevented those who need help from getting the proper treatment they deserve. In Guatemala, this is no different. This article will explain the facts about HIV/AIDS in Guatemala as well as what it’s like to live with the disease.

HIV/AIDS Has Steadily Been Rising Since 1990

HIV/AIDS has affected the lives of more than 30,000 registered citizens in Guatemala since 1990. In 1990, the case toll was 8,000. However, in 2024, an estimated 33,000 citizens contracted HIV/AIDS. Of this 33,000, around 21,000 men and 12,000 women are living with HIV/AIDS. While homosexuality is legal, laws to protect LGBTQ+ citizens are not comprehensive. This has led to discrimination among LGBTQ+ citizens, which further stigmatizes diseases such as HIV/AIDS. According to Lokal Travel, “Despite legal acceptance, the LGBT community often faces discrimination and, in some cases, violence.” Because of this, having a disease such as HIV/AIDS can not only come with discrimination, but

also violence that could be life-threatening.

Highest Rates of HIV/AIDS

Queer men and transgender women are the most at-risk individuals to contract HIV/AIDS. This is because comprehensive sex education isn’t taught, leading to a lack of protection being used during sex. UNAIDS reports that “ the HIV prevalence rate is 22.2% among the transgender population, compared to 0.2% for the general population.” It also reports that even though rates among the general population for HIV/AIDS are beginning to decrease, transgender women are still contracting the disease at the same rate as before. This highlights the lack of protection transgender women face within healthcare in Guatemala.

Stigma Surrounding HIV/AIDS Testing Is High

Getting tested for HIV/AIDS is crucial to preventing the disease from spreading. If caught in the early stages, HIV can be managed through medication, making the person undetectable to others. However, without testing, the disease will continue to cause havoc within the person’s body. UNAIDS reports that around 47%-73% of transgender women avoid being tested due to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in Guatemala. This stigma can further result in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, forming within citizens living with HIV/AIDS in Guatemala.

HIV Clinics

According to AIDS Health, AHF has built clinics in Guatemala to help promote citizens being tested for HIV/AIDS. The clinic can offer ARV treatments to those living with HIV/AIDS in Guatemala. This helps those living with HIV/AIDS have access to life-saving treatment without having to pay a fortune. Because of this, over the past years, the clinics have performed more than 600,00 rapid tests across various settings, a monumental achievement that has been able to reduce some of the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and allow citizens to feel comfortable being tested and treated.

HIV/AIDS Can Affect Anyone

Miscommunication about HIV/AIDS has been raging since the 1980s. Many people hold false assumptions that only queer men can contract HIV/AIDS. However, they’re excluding a large chunk of the vulnerable population.

According to The MANGUA Project, “HIV prevalence among other vulnerable groups is 18% in people with tuberculosis (TB), 13% in prison populations, and 3.3% among youth at social risk,” showing how people who are in vulnerable positions are equally at risk for HIV/AIDS. This is important to emphasize so that HIV/AIDS can become destigmatized. It can show that anyone can contract HIV/AIDS if they are in an unsafe situation.

– Alexis Thomas

Alexis is based in Author’s City and State: Raleigh,NC/Wake, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Care in Rural India

Health Care in Rural IndiaIndia is the most populous country in the world, home to some 1.4 billion people. It is a very diverse nation, both demographically and geographically. India is still a developing country; therefore it faces a lot of challenges in terms of healthcare. Health care in rural India, in particular, faces many challenges and obstacles. Access to quality health care is still an elusive goal for many Indians living in rural areas of the country.

Background

According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, approximately 65% of Indians live in rural areas. As with many other countries, India also faces a divide between urban and rural areas. People living in rural areas face significant obstacles that hinder their access to proper health care. Rural areas face a lack of qualified medical professionals, inadequate medical supplies and limited awareness regarding diseases. There is a need to improve health care access in rural India. Proper health care is a right that all humans have. Access to quality health care in rural India needs to be reformed and expanded.

The National Health Mission (NHM)

The Indian government has implemented measures to improve access to proper health care. In 2013, New Delhi launched the National Health Mission (NHM). The purpose of this mission is to improve health care access in rural and underserved areas. The NHM encompasses two sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).

The mission aims to expand proper health care access to underserved areas in India. Additionally, the government has also launched a health insurance program (Ayushman Bharat) in 2018. This program provides free health care access to poorer Indians who cannot afford private health care services. Under Ayushman Bharat, the government established Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) throughout the country. These centers aim to bring health care access closer to the people.

First-Hand Problems

The Borgen Project spoke with Arjun Singh, an immigrant from India, on the topic of health care in rural India. Mr. Singh has witnessed first hand the problems that rural areas face in accessing health care. Mr. Singh grew up in a small village in northwestern India. Specifically, he grew up in Rajasthan, a large state situated in western India. Rajasthan is located in the desert. It is a mostly rural state.

Around 75% of people in Rajasthan live in rural areas. Mr. Singh states how difficult it was for him and his family to get access to proper health care. He states that village clinics have inadequate medical infrastructure and they’re routinely understaffed. There is a shortage of qualified medical personnel. One study stated that around 45% of personnel are absent from subcenters and aid posts.

However, Mr. Singh has clarified that things may be different now than they were during his time in India. In the decades since he left India, health care access in rural areas has improved. He stated how government initiatives such as the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat have made significant strides in improving rural access to proper and quality health care.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Saving Kids Lives

mobile vaccination in nigeriaNigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and it has the second-highest number of children who have not received any vaccines in the world. But it’s addressing this problem with mobile vaccination teams. While there is still a long way to go, mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very successful.

What Are Zero-Dose Children?

Children who have not received any vaccinations are referred to as zero-dose children. These children make up a substantial portion of preventable deaths in children worldwide. Most zero-dose children live in lower and middle-income countries.

Globally, “Nigeria has one of the highest proportions of zero-dose children.” In 2021, experts estimated that more than 2.2 million zero-dose children were in the country. The children of teenage and young mothers are particularly likely to be zero-dose children.

There are many reasons parents do not vaccinate their children. The majority of zero-dose children in Nigeria are born to poor families. As a result, they often live in an area where a health center is not readily accessible. Meaning they have to pay for transportation to the health center, something many of them can not afford to do. This need to travel also means that parents must take a day off from work, meaning lost wages.

Another common reason is misinformation about vaccines and their safety. Young mothers face extra challenges, and many avoid traditional health centers due to stigmatization and hostility from other mothers there as well as the health care workers. The social stigma that comes with being a young mother prevents them from returning after their first visit.

Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Working

Several steps make up mobile vaccination in Nigeria. Step one is identifying an area with a high number of zero-dose children. In Nigeria, vaccination of children is “lowest in the north,” according to the New Incentives. This knowledge, together with short surveys of areas, gives decision makers real-time data on the vaccination status of children.

Step two is providing parents with correct information about vaccines and their importance. That includes talking about possible side effects and addressing misinformation about vaccines. The final step is vaccinating the children. All of this requires working with the local communities and their leaders.

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very effective. One study found that thanks to mobile vaccination, six states in Northern Nigeria saw an average increase in fully immunized children aged 12–23 months, from 19% to 55%.

Conclusion

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has been proven to be effective and is saving lives. While there is still more work to do, particularly with the children of young mothers, this is a fantastic start. With continued use of mobile vaccination and strong leadership, Nigeria can help save more lives.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against HIV in Suriname

hiv surinameWith a population of just 640,000, Suriname is both the least populated nation on the continent and the smallest in size. Despite its modest scale, Suriname stands out as a constitutional democracy where Christianity remains the dominant faith. Although it rarely makes international headlines, the country deserves attention, not only for its rich cultural diversity but also for the pressing challenges its people continue to face, for example, the fight against HIV in Suriname.

The Prevalence of HIV

The prevalence of HIV is pretty high, estimating for almost 8,000 people per year, most of them being adults. Men are at a higher risk of this disease. In Suriname, the lack of up-to-date and detailed data on HIV prevalence continues to hinder effective policymaking. To address this, international support helped strengthen national statistics offices across the region, improving data collection and reporting.

However, economic challenges such as currency devaluation and inflation have led to major cuts in health spending, resulting in frequent shortages of antiretroviral treatment. Experts emphasize the need for renewed advocacy and updated investment cases to ensure the sustainability of HIV services.

Key Groups in the Fight Against HIV in Suriname

In Suriname, NGOs play a central role in HIV prevention among sex workers and men who have sex with men. Their outreach includes individual counseling, group education sessions, condom and lubricant distribution, and referrals to health services. For sex workers in gold mining areas, prevention efforts are integrated with malaria programs. These initiatives have shown clear success.

HIV prevalence among sex workers in Paramaribo dropped significantly, from 24.1% in 2005 to 5.8% in 2012. Most sex workers now demonstrate strong awareness of HIV prevention (96.5%), high rates of testing (82.7%), and frequent condom use (90%), according to the UNAIDS report. Still, challenges remain, particularly with consistent and correct condom use. The prevalence among sex workers remains higher than in the general population, highlighting the need for ongoing targeted interventions.

The Link Between Poverty and HIV in Suriname

The fight against HIV in Suriname cannot be separated from the country’s broader social and economic challenges. More than 17% of the population lives in poverty, while 1.1% survives in extreme poverty. Poverty is especially pronounced among households with children and in the center of the country, living much below the average poverty line. These economic hardships could directly affect the national HIV struggles. Limited household resources often mean reduced access to health care, HIV testing, and consistent treatment. What is more,  women—despite outperforming men in education—remain underrepresented in the workplaces, leaving them economically vulnerable and at greater risk of health inequities.

Fighting the Disease

Suriname has made significant progress in the fight against HIV, with support from the Global Fund and local civil society organizations. Today, 83% of diagnosed individuals are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 90% of them have achieved viral suppression — a major step toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.

As international donor funding gradually phases out, Suriname faces the critical challenge of sustaining these achievements domestically. The country’s Sustainability Action Plan for 2021–2024 makes strategies to maintain HIV prevention and treatment services, expand local funding and continue prioritizing key populations. With sustained commitment and focused action, the fight against HIV in Suriname can continue to yield progress and bring the country closer to ending the epidemic.

– Julia Skowrońska

Julia is based in Wrocław, Poland and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Care Crisis: 4 Diseases Impacting Kenya

Diseases Impacting KenyaKenya’s health care system has profoundly suffered as problems like corruption, lack of adequate resources, systemic malpractice, suboptimal policy-making, and Kenya’s ever-increasing poverty rates, amongst other severe issues, pervade Kenya’s fragile health care sector. The current climate crisis has also ignited further issues regarding Kenya’s health care system, as the rate of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) has drastically increased in recent years. Here are four diseases impacting Kenya.

Malaria

In 2022, Kenya reported around 5 million cases of malaria, with more than 12,000 Kenyans dying as a result of the outbreak. Lack of rainfall and high temperatures have exacerbated the already dire risk of Malaria contamination, as Kenya’s lack of rainfall has created environmental conditions that are highly conducive to Malaria exposure.

Extreme changes in Kenya’s weather patterns have attracted a breed of mosquito, Anopheles Stephensi, which serves as an avid transmitter of malaria. Studies have concluded that the resurgence of the Anopheles Stephensi population in Kenya could potentially expose around 126 million Kenyans to Malaria.

HIV/AIDS

Kenya currently has the seventh largest percentage of people infected with AIDS/HIV globally. Due to the erroneous distribution of health care facilities across Kenya, faulty educational policies and cultural/systemic gender norms, AIDS/HIV reigns as one of the leading causes of death in Kenya. The HIV/AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects women, especially young women (15-24), as women and young girls make up two-thirds of the current percentage of Kenyans living with AIDS/HIV. The current U.S. foreign aid freeze has only exacerbated this issue, as foreign aid has historically accounted for 40% of Kenya’s HIV/AID preventative resource supply.

Cholera

Kenya has historically been a hotspot for frequent Cholera outbreaks and has continued to affect the Kenyan population due to poor sanitation infrastructure and lack of access to clean water. Heavily populated areas like refugee camps, informal settlements, and other highly populated and poorly regulated areas have especially served as hotspots for Cholera contamination.

While efforts like nationwide vaccine distribution, an increase in research towards Cholera prevention/preparedness, and an increase in policy highlighting health care reform in Kenya have helped mitigate outbreaks in recent years, Kenya has had a Cholera outbreak almost every single year since its first outbreak in 1971.

Tuberculosis

In 2016, Tuberculosis was the fourth-leading cause of death in Kenya, and the reported cases of TB contamination have increased sixfold in the last 15 years.  The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these rates, as the percentage of Kenyans who contracted Tuberculosis increased from 49% in 2019 to 61% in 2020. While the spike in Tuberculosis rates has since decreased as the turbulence of the pandemic has decreased, the 2020 Tuberculosis outbreak represents the severe fragility of Kenyan’s health care sector, as statistics have repeatedly shown that the slightest economic, political, health care, or societal issue can seriously exacerbate an already extremely vulnerable healthcare system.

The Future

Though many issues continue to fray the fabric of the health care sector in Kenya, there is hope for the welfare of Kenyan citizens. In 2024, President William Ruto implemented the Social Health Insurance Fund, mandating health care coverage for citizens nationwide.

NGOs like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to implement immunization programs to reduce diseases impacting Kenya.  Though much work is still necessary when it comes to health care reform in Kenya, the shift in political attention towards healthcare reform, coupled with the persistence of NGO efforts to supply Kenya with the proper resources to combat disease outbreaks, establish that hope for the improvement of Kenya’s fractured healthcare system remains steadfast.

– Ava Lachini

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

Photo: Flickr

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Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment in Peru

Tuberculosis Treatment in PeruPeru, located in western Latin America, has one of the highest tuberculosis rates in the region, with 33,000 reported tuberculosis cases in 2023. However, the country is leading efforts to improve treatment.

What Is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is one of the most deadly infectious diseases in the world. It is an airborne disease that attacks the lungs, but it can also affect the kidneys, spine and brain. While antibiotics are used to treat tuberculosis, some people develop drug-resistant strains, meaning the bacteria no longer respond to the usual medications.

Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis requires special medications, which can cause side effects and may take months or even years to work. In comparison, non-drug-resistant tuberculosis typically takes up to nine months to treat.

Tuberculosis Treatment in Peru

Every year, doctors in Peru diagnose around 1,500 people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, one of the most difficult forms of the disease to treat. The standard treatment can take up to two years and involves daily pills along with two or three injections a day. That changed in 2024, when Peru became one of the first countries in Latin America to adopt new treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis: bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid and moxifloxacin (BPaLM). These regimens are shorter, take just six months and eliminate the need for injections.

This shorter treatment period comes with several benefits. Patients need fewer visits to the health center, reducing their transportation costs. It also causes fewer side effects than previous treatments. Fewer visits make it easier for people to stay in treatment while continuing to work. Peru did not implement this new treatment program overnight. Since 2023, doctors, nurses and health monitors have been receiving training on how to use the treatment, manage its potential side effects and support patients throughout both treatment and recovery.

The new regimen is also included in Peru’s National Tuberculosis Plan, which makes tuberculosis treatment free for patients. The new treatment, with all its benefits, has proven successful. More than 1,200 people have received the shorter regimen as of March 2025 and treatment success rates have increased from 60% to 90%. Additionally, dropout rates, the number of people who stop treatment, have dropped from 25% to just 7%.

Leading the Way in Tuberculosis Treatment

As a result of its success in implementing the new treatment, Peru is leading the way in tuberculosis treatment. In June, Peru held a regional meeting that brought together 20 different countries to accelerate collaboration and scale-up of the implementation of the new treatment. The meeting was held with PeerLINC, a global peer-to-peer knowledge hub for tuberculosis. About 200 clinicians and health officials participated in the meeting and the training on the new treatment.

Peru’s experience shows that with strong national leadership, targeted training and patient-centered care, even the most challenging forms of tuberculosis can be effectively treated. By cutting treatment time, reducing side effects and improving success rates, Peru is setting a new standard for managing drug-resistant tuberculosis in Latin America and globally. As other countries look to replicate this success, Peru’s progress offers a powerful example of how innovation and commitment can transform public health outcomes.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Endometriosis in Uganda: A Silent Crisis and the Power of NGOs

Endometriosis in UgandaEndometriosis is a severe, chronic and progressive disease that affects one in 10 women of reproductive age globally. It happens when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lining. This tissue reacts to hormonal cycles, causing internal bleeding, inflammation and scarring. When left undiagnosed or untreated, the disease can spread to other organs like the bladder or bowel and result in infertility or, in severe cases, require the removal of the uterus and ovaries.

In Uganda, many women are led to believe that menstruation cramps, debilitating pain and heavy bleeding are part of being a woman. Yet, the reality is that intense cramps, heavy periods, constant fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, pain during intercourse and the ineffectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the hallmarks of endometriosis.

Absence of a Targeted Health Care Policy

According to Grace Nagawa, Executive Director of the Endometriosis Foundation Uganda, one in seven Ugandan women may have endometriosis. However, there is no government or international data on its prevalence. This absence is not trivial as it prevents precise assessments, targeted allocation of resources and the implementation of proper public health policies. To date, endometriosis remains absent from Ugandan public health legislation. Furthermore, despite the government’s recent increase in the national health budget to more than $1 billion in 2025/26, there is still no dedicated national budget for endometriosis.

This oversight results in limited specialist resources for diagnosis and treatment, which is exacerbated by the low awareness of the condition. Many Ugandan women face years of misdiagnosis, with the first correct diagnosis taking nine to 10 years. This delay often leads to progression to advanced stages of the disease, such as Stage 4, which constitutes the most severe one. Uganda also faces a severe shortage of endometriosis specialists. Following the death of Dr. Kiggundu in 2025, only four specialists remain to treat the condition nationwide, resulting in an unmet demand for care. Critical diagnostic equipment, notably laparoscopes, is also lacking, especially in regional hospitals.

Socioeconomic Repercussions on Women and Girls

The socioeconomic impact of endometriosis in Uganda is huge. Severe pain often disrupts education and employment. According to a 2025 value-for-money audit, around 64% of Ugandan girls miss school due to menstruation. The financial burden of endometriosis is also considerable, as the cost of hormonal treatments and surgery is prohibitive for many.

Laparoscopic surgery, the most effective diagnostic method, can cost more than what most affected women can afford. While wealthier Ugandan women can afford a laparoscopy or receive treatment abroad, notably in Nairobi, the most impoverished are forced to suffer in silence. Chronic pain, delayed diagnoses and disrupted lives also contribute to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, isolation and trauma.

Local Efforts: NGOs Are Leading The Fight

Despite these challenges, two Uganda-based NGOs are working to support and empower women and girls affected by endometriosis:

  • Endometriosis Foundation Uganda aims to improve health by educating the public and health care professionals through awareness walks and charity marathons. It also partners with health organizations to enhance diagnostic and treatment processes. For example, it organizes training sessions with the Endometriosis Foundation in Kenya, where gynecologists have more expertise, enabling better support for Ugandan women unable to seek treatment abroad.
    The organization also helps women who are economically affected by endometriosis and cannot afford treatment or surgery. Finally, its mission also consists of advocating for better access to health care, timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and national investment in medical research.
  • The Endometriosis Care Center Uganda (ECCU) is a critical NGO established in 2021 and runs four main programs. The Health Promotion Program offers free screening clinics, symptom assessments, treatment options and referrals to endometriosis specialists. The Habitation and Rehabilitation Program provides women and girls with face-to-face therapy sessions, telecounselling and self-help groups to help them cope with chronic pain and the emotional fallout of endometriosis.
    Through the Social Capacity Building and Empowerment Program, ECCU promotes narrative-sharing among women with endometriosis, fostering peer support between women at different stages of their medical journey. This program also provides life-skills development, confidence and talent nurturing to help women and girls return to education and employment after years of illness.
    Finally, through its Lobbying and Advocacy Program, ECCU advocates for recognizing and including endometriosis in the Ministry of Health’s data systems and Ugandan legislation. Finally, it also works toward implementing laws and policies that improve the diagnosis, treatment options and provision of resources for endometriosis in Uganda.

Conclusion

Endometriosis poses a critical health and socioeconomic challenge in Uganda. A significant number of women are affected, often struggling for years with misdiagnosis and untreated symptoms. The Endometriosis Foundation Uganda and the ECCU are working to improve access to health care, awareness and diagnosis and advocate for policy change.

While their efforts are critical to supporting affected women and girls, major gaps remain. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive approach involving the Ugandan government, international organizations and local NGOs. Key issues include the shortage of endometriosis specialists, the high cost of treatment and the lack of targeted health policies and data.

– Juliette Delbarre

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

Photo: Flickr