Information and stories about global health.

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Disease Prevention in Sierra Leone

Disease Prevention in Sierra LeoneDisease has inflicted much damage across Sierra Leone, causing the country to have an average life expectancy of only 61 years compared to the global average of 73. However, with help from various health organizations and policies, disease prevention in Sierra Leone has improved.

Infection Prevention and Control

During the Ebola outbreak from 2013 to 2015, 8,706 citizens of Sierra Leone were infected with Ebola. At the time, limited awareness of hygiene and infection control was an issue among Sierra Leone’s healthcare providers. To combat this, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation created a National Infection Prevention and Control Unit, or NIPCU, to provide oversight in all Health care processes. With the new implementation of policies and standardized training, the NIPCU serves to bring a united front for disease prevention in Sierra Leone. 

As of 2016, the NIPCU established 28 isolation units across Sierra Leone, providing a total bed capacity of 190, and trained a total of 8,221 health workers. The Infection Prevention and Control policies provided a much-needed form of organized education and training within Sierra Leone. However, caring for the ill requires a group effort.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Going hand in hand with IPC, the Centers for Disease Control began helping Sierra Leone during the Ebola epidemic by training healthcare workers. The CDC also supported Sierra Leone during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a total of 7,674 confirmed cases. To combat COVID-19, the CDC introduced an IPC Certification Course, whose graduates continue assisting people infected with COVID-19. 

As of March 2021, 43 graduates of Sierra Leone’s Advanced IPC Certification Course serve as mentors and supervisors, providing continued oversight of the practices established by the IPC and CDC. The success of the CDC continues to guide Sierra Leone towards other disease treatments. According to the CDC, Sierra Leone’s National HIV Response is looking at epidemic control by 2030.  

International Federation of Red Cross

 

Supporting the Sierra Leone Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross has helped prepare communities to stop the spread of diseases, such as measles, Acute watery diarrhea, and viral hemorrhagic fever. The IPC and the CDC focus on preparing communities for outbreaks and disease prevention in Sierra Leone. However, the IFRC emphasizes community engagement, resilience building, education, and transportation in addition to their volunteer and training efforts. Activities include:

  • Preparing various sectors on how to  respond to potential outbreaks to maintain the economy
  • Training media to convey important lifesaving information to affected communities
  • Interacting with students, teachers, and schools to prepare them with important epidemic messages and referrals.

The IFRC and Sierra Leone Red Cross have trained over 200 government partners and volunteers in disease preparedness and community surveillance.

The organizations and policies working in Sierra Leone have made strides in creating a standardized system for monitoring, preparation, and prevention in Sierra Leone. While there is still work to be done in improving health in the country, the progress made in education and training in Sierra Leone is essential in the journey ahead.

– Matthew Perduk

Matthew is based in Chantilly, VA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Liveaboard Helpers Provide Hope for Africa

Liveaboard helpersHealth care is widely accessible in many parts of the world, but in some places, it is much more difficult to access. Mercy Ships volunteers have been providing help to the less fortunate since 1978. A partnership with MSC in 2011 has helped Mercy Ships enhance its services.

Mercy Ships has impacted more than 2 million lives with the help of its liveaboard helpers. It has done over 119,000 surgeries, trained more than 50,000 people and has had more than 1,500 volunteers each year. Globally, 50% of all human beings live near a coast, making this the reason they use ships. “Two physicians per 10,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa” is the reason it serves the African region.

Providing Surgeries in Africa

Many of the stories by Mercy Ships recount the experiences of people living in countries where inadequate health care is available, as well as those who require surgeries.

According to Mercy Ships, ” In some areas of the world, medical professionals are a rarity. In countries like Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and others across sub-Saharan Africa, hospitals are scarce, and access to quality medical care is limited.” “Many people suffer from treatable conditions simply because there are no doctors or medical resources available to help them.”

In a 2019 Mercy Ships press release said how one child, Aissata from Guinea, was born with a cleft lip. She received assistance from liveaboard helpers through the Africa Mercy ship, which the child, of less than a year old, traveled around 200 miles with her mother to receive assistance from the liveaboard helpers.

“Their family is among the world’s estimated 5 billion people who do not have access to safe, affordable, timely surgery,” said the press release. “In sub-Saharan Africa specifically, 93% of the population cannot get the surgery it needs.” Africa requires places to get surgeries and health professionals.

Partnership

A partnership between MSC and Mercy Ships began in 2011. MSC originally provided cargo, but that turned into much more because of the attention MSC gave to Mercy Ships.

“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa, it is a region close to my heart,” said Diego Aponte, the founder. “I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them.”

MSC helps to provide funding, leading the way for Mercy Ships to focus on other areas.

In 2024, MSC Foundation, MSC Group and Mercy Ships partnered to grow the number of Mercy Ships to three.

This new ship will have a two-deck hospital, the ability to house around 600 crew, training areas and six operating rooms. The new ship will operate in sub-Saharan Africa.

In an MSC press release, Gert van de Weerdhof, CEO of Mercy Ships, said, “This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals.”

– Matthew Restrepo

Matthew is based in Milton, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sanitation Improvements in Uganda: Empowering Youth Innovation

sanitation improvements in UgandaIn Uganda, more than 24 million people—more than 60% of the population—lack access to basic drinking water services. Nearly one in 10 still practice open defecation and two-thirds of households do not use soap when washing. Despite these challenges, the country continues to make progress in improving school hygiene and sanitation. Local youth are leading many of these efforts. Across the country, students and communities collaborate on projects that address public health concerns and support sustainable development. These sanitation improvements in Uganda strengthen education, especially for girls and help protect children from preventable diseases.

Addressing a National Sanitation Crisis

Many Ugandan schools still face serious challenges related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). According to UNICEF, nearly 30% of schools do not have usable toilets and 40% lack access to handwashing stations. These shortages contribute to frequent illnesses, absenteeism and high dropout rates, particularly among girls, who are more likely to miss school during menstruation when hygiene facilities are inadequate.

The Centre for African Justice notes that poor WASH conditions in schools harm students’ health, attendance and dignity. While Uganda has policies like the School Health Policy in place, implementation often falls short, particularly in rural regions. To bridge these gaps, youth-led movements and nonprofit organizations continue to play a vital role in sanitation improvements in Uganda and raising community awareness.

Students Lead Practical Sanitation Solutions

A collaborative project between Wright State University students and a rural Ugandan school offers a clear example of youth-driven innovation. The engineering students co-designed and installed composting latrines, handwashing stations and improved gray water discharge systems. These improvements introduced sustainable technology while strengthening local ownership. Teachers, students and parents reported stronger attendance and a renewed sense of pride in their school environment.

Clean Water Boosts Girls’ Education

Access to clean water directly supports girls’ education. At God’s Hope Primary School, the nonprofit Simone’s Kids installed a clean water system that replaced unsafe, time-consuming water collection, reducing student absenteeism. Previously, children spent hours walking to collect water from unsafe sources. The new system provides safe drinking water and supports regular handwashing practices. Girls, in particular, benefited from private sanitation facilities, which allowed them to manage menstrual hygiene and continue their education without disruption.

Safe Water Unlocks Opportunity

Water for Good, a nonprofit working in Uganda, highlights how safe water systems open new possibilities for children. A young girl shared how a new well at her school enabled her to attend classes regularly and focus on her future goals. These stories show how basic water access can change educational outcomes and help students imagine new possibilities.

A Sustainable Path Forward

Youth-led sanitation efforts in Uganda reflect a broader commitment to health, equity and education. By installing clean water systems, building safe toilets and promoting hygiene, these projects create safer learning environments. Continued investment in school sanitation could support better academic outcomes and strengthen national development. Uganda’s youth remain central to this progress, shaping a future where all students can learn and thrive with dignity.

– Vasara Mikulevicius

Vasara is based in West Bloomfield, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Expanding Gavi’s Donor Network

Gavi's Donor NetworkGavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is expanding its donor network in preparation for planned cuts to foreign aid budgets by former core donors, including the U.S., U.K. and France. Gavi Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sania Nishtar recently met with officials in Rabat to encourage Morocco to join Gavi’s donor network. Hopes are high as Nishtar states that a Casablanca vaccine manufacturing plant would likely benefit from Gavi’s $1.2 billion African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, a scheme intended to improve vaccine production in Africa.

Gavi’s Existing Impact

  • Child mortality halved: To date, Gavi has helped halve childhood mortality by vaccinating more than 1.1 billion children across 78 lower-income countries, reducing the incidence of deadly and debilitating infectious diseases to prevent more than 18.8 million deaths.
  • Nation building: On a broader scale, Gavi aids nation building through vaccination: as populations become healthier, they are better able to economically and socially thrive. Every $1 invested in immunization in Gavi-supported countries between 2021 and 2030 could save $21 in health care costs, lost wages and reduced productivity from illness. When broader economic and social benefits are included, the return on investment rises to an estimated $54 for every $1 spent.
  • Improved global health security: Gavi helps countries broaden vaccine coverage and improve their health systems.

Foreign Aid Budget Cuts

Gavi relies on donations from governments, foundations and private partners to fund its work delivering vaccines to the world’s most vulnerable children. However, former core donors France, the U.S. and the UK have all indicated that they plan to cut foreign aid spending in the coming years; hence, their pledges to Gavi remain uncertain.

The U.S. previously donated $300 million to Gavi annually but the country declared in March 2025 that it does not plan future spending, Reuters reports. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion from the U.S. foreign aid budget, $400 million of which formerly went to global health programs including Gavi. The bill is yet to be approved by the Senate, so until the decision deadline of July 18. It is unclear whether Gavi will receive its usual donation from the States.

U.K. Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has also announced that the U.K. government will cut foreign aid spending by £6 billion per year, redirecting the money to defense spending. The nation was previously mandated by law to spend 0.7% of GDP on aid, but the former Conservative government lowered this to 0.5% following the pandemic, and Starmer’s cuts lower it even further to only 0.3% of GDP. Therefore, it is probable that Gavi will not receive funding from the UK equal to the country’s previous investments.

Hopes for Brussels Global Summit 2025

From 2026-2030 (the Gavi 6.0 strategic period), Gavi plans to save at least 8 million lives through the vaccination of 500 million additional children. Global summit in Brussels on June 25, 2025 will bring together global leaders, partner organizations, vaccine manufacturers and private sector companies to secure at least $9 billion to fund Gavi 6.0.

Several countries have already announced their pledges:

  • Croatia has pledged €1 million as a first-time core donor
  • Portugal has pledged €2.5 million, signifying a 54% increase in the country’s contribution
  • Indonesia has pledged $40 million
  • Canada has pledged CAD 675 million
  • The European Commission has pledged €260 million for the year 2026-2027 alone

Expanding Gavi’s Donor Network

These pledges are promising but in light of U.S. and U.K. cuts to aid, Gavi’s donor network needs to expand if it hopes to raise the $9 billion required for its ambitious new plan. To secure essential funding from Morocco, Gavi Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sania Nishtar recently met with officials in Rabat. During her visit, Nishtar toured a Marbio vaccine production site near Casablanca a biopharmaceutical initiative, Reuters reports.

Hopes for Moroccan funding are high as Nishtar noted that the facility stands a strong chance of receiving support from Gavi’s $1.2 billion African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which aims to enhance vaccine manufacturing capacity across the continent.

An Optimistic Outlook

In preparation for potential shortfalls in funding, Gavi has begun engaging more private sector partners, implementing cost-cutting measures, and exploring stronger partnerships with other global health organizations. Nevertheless, Nishtar anticipates that the contributions made at the June 25th summit will be sufficient to render these contingency plans unnecessary.

In light of Gavi’s critical work responding to the current global measles surge, cholera outbreaks in Sudan, South Sudan and Angola, and the growing spread of mpox in Sierra Leone, there is growing hope that the international community will recognize the indispensable value of Gavi’s efforts and respond with the generous support needed to sustain and extend its impact.

– Holly McArthur

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

Photo: Flickr

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Wadhwani AI: Fighting Poverty in India

Wadhwani aiIn a country of more than 1.4 billion people, diseases such as tuberculosis are rife, crop losses threaten the livelihoods of millions and many children struggle unaided with basic literacy. The Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadhwani AI), is a nonprofit that is using AI to fight poverty in India. Founded in 2018 by Romesh and Sunil Wadhwani, Wadhwani AI is applying low-cost, AI-based solutions to real-world problems in critical areas such as healthcare, agriculture and education.

Reducing the Spread of Tuberculosis

India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) cases globally:

  • India accounts for 27% of recorded TB cases
  • In 2022, 2.82 million new cases were documented
  • 331,000 deaths were due to TB

The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) is the Indian governmental initiative to reduce the spread of TB. The Transformative Research and Artificial Intelligence Capacity for Elimination of Tuberculosis (TRACE-TB) – Wadhwani AI’s umbrella term for several AI programs they are using to help combat TB – aims to improve upon diagnostic tools available and speed up treatment processes.

One of these goals is to improve upon the screening tools available to diagnose TB. These screening tools tend to be expensive, rely on specialist training and require a laboratory setup. Because of this, many TB patients go unrecorded because these screenings simply are not accessible or are under too much demand. Wadhwani AI’s solution is an AI-based diagnostic tool that analyses the sound of a patient’s cough and identifies probable cases of TB. This tool is available as an app, both for health care workers and for people looking to test at home.

Line Probe Assay

Another branch of TRACE-TB is improving the expediency of recording the results of Line Probe Assay (LPA) strips. LPA strips help diagnose cases of drug-resistant TB. Manual testing for this is done at one of only 64 labs across India, which are able to perform around 400,000 tests annually. Not only is this a highly insufficient rate of testing, but the manual process is subject to clerical issues. Due to this overburdened system, many cases will have significant delays in their treatment. Using AI to rapidly evaluate LPA strip results greatly improves upon this response time. This initiative uses a “human-in-the-loop” as part of the process, having someone double-check when the algorithm is uncertain about the interpretation of the results.

Helping Cotton Farmers Fight Pest Infestations

Across the globe, the primary crop for almost 100 million farmers is cotton. Ninety percent of these farmers are from smallholding farms in poorer countries. India is the world’s largest cotton producer (26% of the global output), and is a massive source of employment in the country. Not only are there 5.8 million cotton farmers in India, but a further 40 to 50 million work in the processing or trading of cotton.

Cotton is extremely vulnerable to pest infestations, and on average, Indian farmers lose around 30% of their crops annually. The acuteness of these losses are due to a combination of factors. Firstly, manually collecting data on infestations and then analysing it is very time-consuming, and often by the time that is done any counter-measures may no longer be effective. Secondly, there is a widespread lack of education amongst farmers about correct pesticide usage: using the wrong chemicals or spraying the incorrect amount can prove redundant to combating the infestation, and can be detrimental to the health of the farmers and the environment.

How It Works

Wadhwani AI’s initiative to help cotton farmers fight pest infestations is the CottonAce app. It is easily accessible, works offline and is available in nine languages.

Farmers install pheromone traps amongst their crops, which trap pests. They then upload images of the pests to the app and the AI algorithm identifies the pest and calculates how severe the infestation is. CottonAce generates instantaneous recommendations on which pesticide to use and how to best apply it. The app then shares the data with nearby farmers, creating an early-warning system for the area. CottonAce is a great example of a simple, easily scalable and highly accessible tool that can improve the security of the livelihoods of millions of people, and an easy-to-replicate example of using AI to fight poverty in India.

Assessing Students’ Literacy Skills

Vaachan Samiksha is an AI-based tool for assessing the oral literacy of students. India’s Annual Status of Education Report 2023 showed that more than half of grade five students struggled with reading texts designed for children aged three years below them. Typically, oral fluency is assessed by teachers individually, having students read a passage and then manually counting how often they mispronounce words. With millions of students to consider, this process is incredibly inefficient, fallible and provides very little information about the students’ needs. Wadhwani AI hopes to speed up this process and better gauge what individual students need via Vaachan Samiksha.

In partnership with the Gujarat government, 33,000 schools across the region are currently using the tool. Wadhwani AI developed an AI speech-to-text model that provides instantaneous transcription of the student during the literacy assessment and identifies the mispronounced terms. Multiple students are able to be assessed simultaneously, and the program can efficiently detect patterns in incorrect pronunciation and difficulties. This enables teachers to understand how and where each student is struggling with their oral-literacy, and helps to identify which students might need additional support. As of March 2025, the app has helped make more than 3.6 million assessments across Gujarat.

Closing Thoughts

Wadhwani AI’s work is a reminder that artificial intelligence isn’t only about high-tech labs or futuristic applications—it can be a powerful tool for solving real-world problems in low-resource settings. By designing practical, scalable solutions rooted in local needs, Wadhwani AI is helping shape a future where technology aids the critically underserved. As their programs continue to develop, they offer a compelling model for using AI to fight poverty in India and the potential for tackling global poverty with similar initiatives.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

Reuben is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breakthroughs in the Battle Against Cancer in Rwanda and Kenya

Cancer BreakthroughsOne of the most concerning diseases, cancer,  has become one of the recent breakthroughs for Africa, a continent that has been battling cervical and breast cancer for years. In 2020, more than a million cancer cases were reported and considered a leading cause of death in Africa.  Rwanda and Kenya, particularly, have had some recent wins in cancer research, treatment and preventative measures.

Rwanda

Early this year, the imPACT review team positively assessed the preventative measures Rwanda has made, such as restricting tobacco use and pushing HPV vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO), International Agency for Research on Cancer and International Atomic Energy Agency conduct imPACT reviews and their recommendations included “urging Rwanda to increase domestic public/private investment in health and stressing the importance of incorporating cancer control in other health programmes to increase access to services and referrals.” Having this special focus in healthcare schooling will have a lasting effect on cancer treatment.

A few years back, the Rays of Hope program launched, involved in partnerships like constructing more radiotherapy centers, coinciding with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being). The promotion and advocacy of health will create lasting effects on future cancer breakthroughs.

Rwanda’s National Cancer Control Plan (2025-2029), including early detection, is more available. Many survivors like Edmund Kagire can attest to the recent developments made by the Plan, praising new cancer treatment centers: Rwanda Cancer Center, King Faisal Hospital, Kanombe Military Hospital and Butaro Hospital. Furthermore, in an interview with Rwandan student-run journal (ICK), Kagire mentions the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, raising awareness on the amazing treatments promoted and provided.

He further mentions the Ministry of Health’s 2027 goal to greatly reduce cervical cancer diagnoses and deaths, which have spread among nearly 900 women in just a single year. The Rwandan government considers this a pressing issue and has taken steps to act early, treating girls for HPV, lowering future rates.

Kenya

Courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Roche East Africa, patients will have financial protection with access to diagnostics and treatment as well as specialized training for healthcare workers in breast and cervical cancer management. As part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Memorandum of Understanding agreement helps patients save costs by cutting co-pay and bringing exceptional care to the masses.

Last year, the Cancer Care Africa program launched advanced treatment for more people in Kenya, especially in breast cancer, according to AstraZeneca. As part of 2030 actionables, the program strives to foster 100 oncology facilities and healthcare professionals, modernize screenings, educate patients to take control of their experience, innovate medicine and produce concrete research data.

In May 2025, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) paid a visit to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya to assess the legitimacy and ensure rapid progress.

Looking Forward

Africa has come a long way in fighting against cancer. With new government investment, medical technologies and human resources, countries can improve control over this disease. Both nations, Kenya and Rwanda, have a motivation to see a future without cancer-stricken health problems. To witness any near-cancer breakthroughs, the society will put its foot forward in educating and continue building on health resources for its people.

– Melody Aminian

Melody is based in Irvine, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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“The Roma Daja”: Improving Roma Maternal Health

"The Roma Daja": How a Guidebook Improves Roma Maternal HealthThe Roma are a diverse Indo-Aryan ethnic group originating from Northern India, with 10–20 million Roma currently living in Europe. The largest Romani populations reside in the Balkans. As of 2022, 80% of Roma live below the poverty line. Systemic discrimination drives this poverty and disproportionately affects Roma women. They often receive poor obstetric care and experience higher rates of complications. Studies reveal shorter gestation periods, more frequent miscarriages and a higher prevalence of teenage pregnancies among Romani women.

Maternal Outcomes and Access Barriers

Around 17.8% of Roma babies are born with low birth weight, more than double the 7.9% rate for non-Roma babies. Infant mortality among Roma children is 10 times higher than among their non-Roma counterparts. Home births remain more common and many women face malnutrition, a lack of health education and social taboos around pregnancy. Many also smoke during pregnancy. Financial instability, cultural barriers and discrimination keep Roma women from accessing prenatal care, a vital factor in improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

A New Solution

In 2023, Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) collaborated with the Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre to launch the guidebook “Roma Daja—Supporting Roma Women During and After Pregnancy.” Roma women wrote the guidebook for other Roma women. Available in English, Romanian, Czech and Slovak, this free resource offers both hard copies and online access across Europe.

Roma health worker Bianca Tanase highlighted the reasons for the guide’s importance: “We also know Roma mothers-to-be are not always getting the right health information, experience language and literacy barriers, fear mistreatment and experience racism and discrimination.” She also noted the lack of basic supplies for Roma babies leaving the maternity hospital, stating, “This reflects that Roma babies are effectively disadvantaged—right from birth.” The guidebook supports Roma women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. It also helps health care workers communicate more effectively and respectfully with Roma patients.

Inside “The Roma Daja”

The guidebook includes five sections: Trimester 1, Trimester 2, Trimester 3, Postnatal Stage and Pregnancy Loss. It targets Roma mothers who feel unsure, unwilling or unable to access formal obstetric care.

“Roma Daja” outlines lifestyle adjustments that support healthy pregnancies. It uses visuals and clear explanations to identify substances to avoid. A 2023 study found that 76% of Roma women continue smoking during pregnancy—a result of the widespread lack of maternal health education. Smoking increases the risk of complications for both mother and baby. In 2009, researchers observed poor nutrition among Roma mothers. This often leads to premature births or low birth weight. The guidebook emphasizes the importance of proper diet and nourishment during both pregnancy and breastfeeding, aiming to close the education gap and improve outcomes.

Establishing Trust

Many Roma women avoid prenatal checkups due to language barriers, low literacy and previous experiences with discrimination. “Roma Daja” helps build trust by explaining what happens during checkups and clarifying common obstetric terms such as gestational diabetes, caesarean sections and epidurals. Understanding medical language enables Roma women to make informed decisions and engage more confidently with health care services.

Preventing Complications

Without proper counseling, women risk overlooking warning signs during pregnancy. “Roma Daja” outlines symptoms to watch for, including COVID-19 symptoms, fever, bleeding, stomach pain and changes in baby movement. The postnatal section discusses common issues such as colic, jaundice and the importance of vaccinations. At the same time, the guidebook reassures mothers about normal symptoms like nausea, soreness and weight gain throughout pregnancy.

A Better Future for Roma Maternal Health

“Roma Daja—Supporting Roma Women During and After Pregnancy” fills a critical gap in Roma maternal health education. The guide empowers Roma women to make informed health decisions, which can reduce pre-term births, low birth weight and infant mortality. As more Roma communities gain access to this resource, maternal health outcomes have the potential to improve dramatically.

– Helen Cusick

Helen is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Cholera Outbreak in Sudan: How the Country is Fighting Back

sudan choleraAs an ongoing war continued to tear apart Sudan, millions went into extreme poverty and poor living conditions, which caused an outbreak of cholera starting in late 2024. The northeastern African country has struggled with cholera outbreaks for years. Once the civil war broke out in early 2023, it brought even more immense hardship to the country and another epidemic. Millions of civilians—more than half the country’s population—had to relocate to various camps, including one in the country’s White Nile State. It is here that poor conditions and limited access to clean drinking water have led to a cholera outbreak, with 50,000 cases recorded in January and more than 1,300 deaths.

Sudan’s History with Cholera

Throughout its history, Sudan has faced problems with cholera outbreaks, time and time again. The disease, which is transmitted through contaminated food and water sources, has left many underdeveloped communities vulnerable to epidemics. During these outbreaks, many have had concerns and criticized the government’s lack of acknowledgement and response to the epidemics. The government never formally acknowledged the 2017 epidemic, even though the National Epidemiological Corporation recorded over 23,000 cases and more than 800 deaths linked to the disease. In 2019, the Sudanese government, with assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO), made a greater effort to curb another outbreak, mobilizing treatment centers, cholera kits and enhancing disease surveillance.

The Ongoing Conflict’s Effect on the Cholera Outbreak

Millions of people had to forcefully leave their homes and move into overcrowded camps due to the country’s current civil war. As the fighting continues to affect more areas, an increasing number of health facilities stop operating. This widespread lack of health care is ultimately worsening the cholera outbreak in Sudan.

Communities fleeing from the war and attacks on hospitals and health care facilities are only exacerbating the health care crisis, as people have to rely on aid groups, which have limited resources.

The current outbreak takes place in the White Nile State, which struggled with attacks early in February. These attacks damaged a power plant in the area, leaving many without power and cutting off access to water pumps. Without access to clean drinking water, cases of Cholera in the area surged.

Looking Forward

Treating the cholera outbreak in Sudan and the broader health care crisis is extremely challenging, as access to essential resources such as clean water, food, vaccines, and sanitation facilities is limited. However, Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), along with organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF, has launched several oral vaccination campaigns, accompanied by a ban on collecting water from local rivers.

The country is heavily reliant on outside help to establish facilities to fight the outbreak and help affected people. UNICEF-backed clinics help distribute rehydration solutions to people showing symptoms of cholera. In high-risk regions, UNICEF has also established areas for chlorinating water, which will help rid the cholera-causing bacteria from people’s drinking water. The power to stop this outbreak also lies within the communities and organizations working to educate people on how to prevent and treat cholera symptoms.

– Collier Simpson

Collier is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Preventative Education Is Stopping Bird Flu In Cambodia

bird flu in cambodiaThis year has marked the spread of bird flu to a wide variety of countries in the world, with many individuals all across the globe feeling the effects of poultry and egg shortages as a result. While some countries are experiencing Bird Flu for the first time, others are going through repeated outbreaks. Bird flu in Cambodia remains a health concern for its population, and the most recent outbreak has caused the Cambodian government to pivot in their disease control strategy.

What is Bird Flu?

Avian Influenza, usually H5N1 in humans, is the virus that causes bird flu. While not very contagious within humans, bird flu is incredibly contagious within poultry. Chickens or other birds will get each other sick and while this normally is not an issue for human health when the illness stays within the animals, problems can arise when people spend extended periods of time around a large volume of infected animals. So far, most of the people who have contracted bird flu have either been farmers who have been tending infected animals or individuals who have consumed infected animals. Transmission can occur via direct contact, indirect contact (such as touching a contaminated surface), or inhaling the disease.

Additionally, Avian Influenza is highly infectious and fatal within poultry, carrying a 75% to 100% mortality rate within poultry. Historically, around half of all people with documented bird flu infections have died. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, confusion, and fever which eventually escalate into multiple organ failure.

Bird Flu in Cambodia

Bird Flu in Cambodia is by no means a new situation. In fact, the first outbreak of Bird Flu in Cambodia was back in 2003. Occasional and infrequent cases of Bird Flu in Cambodia were reported in humans until 2014, at which point no further cases were reported until 2022.

A gradual decrease in the public perception of bird flu’s threat has caused many individuals in Cambodia to grow lax with preventative health measures over the past few years. A study in Prey Veng in 2023 showed that 22.6% of individuals knowingly cooked and fed sick or dead poultry to their families. Additionally, 93% of the country’s poultry production is raised via backyard systems. While efficient, these backyard systems often come with diminished sanitization and a higher risk of disease transmission to humans.

Government Response

Responding to such a dangerous health crisis has been an uphill battle for the Cambodian government. One of the biggest challenges is disseminating information to an extremely rural population. As such, most of the work the Cambodian government has done on sharing information about bird flu in Cambodia has been on foot. Health care and government workers have been driving in on motorbikes to secluded populations to educate them about bird flu in hopes of preventing future cases and spreading awareness. Proactive preventative measures have been implemented as well, such as the treatment and culling of affected poultry, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In recent times, Cambodian officials have worked with national influenza centers to both curb the spread of the disease and raise awareness for bird flu in Cambodia. Cambodian influenza centers offer 24/7 laboratory testing for Cambodia’s population completely free of charge.

This recent pivot to a more preventative strategy has increased early detection, which can help stop the spread of bird flu to humans and increase treatment options within humans.

Moving Forward

While the bird flu in Cambodia situation has the potential to be a catastrophic event for the population, Cambodia’s government has made leaps and bounds in providing education and preventative care to a largely rural population. Through this preventative education and efforts to stop bird flu in Cambodia before it can spread further, Cambodian officials have successfully stopped an epidemic before it could spiral out of control.

– Mac Scott

Mac is based in Indianapolis, IN, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Neglected Tropical Diseases: Malaria in Cameroon

cameroon malariaAs the 53rd largest country in the world, Cameroon’s 183,000 miles of land mass supports a wide range of landscapes and microclimates. While some regions are extremely hot and dry, others are moist and humid due in part to multiple forests populating the areas. In fact, Cameroon’s Cross-Sanaga Bioko Coastal forests are considered one of the wettest regions on earth. This is due to the forest receiving between 20-30 feet of rainfall annually. While these microclimates support beautiful landscapes and diverse ecosystems, they also provide habitats for neglected tropical diseases such as malaria. With the country’s population of 29 million all being at risk for contracting this disease, Cameroon’s war against malaria will be extremely critical.

Malaria: A Neglected Tropical Disease in Cameroon

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as malaria are just that. Infectious diseases that occur primarily in tropical regions of the world. They are deemed neglected because there is minimal attention to addressing these diseases at both, national and global levels. To make matters worse, NTDs flourish in areas of poverty and where access to health care, sanitation and clean water is lacking.

Cameroon has an abundance of water around it. However, the country has minimal infrastructure in place to effectively convert this water into fresh drinking water. In fact, over half of the population living in rural areas of Cameroon, do not have access to clean drinking water.

Cameroon’s health care system has been severely hampered due to the ongoing internal conflicts. Close to 20% of the medical facilities are no longer operational. And those that are open, are struggling.  Besides the destruction of facilities, there is also a lack of health care workers to assist in Cameroon’s war against malaria.

Add to these issues the plethora of mosquito species present in the country, it is no surprise that malaria is the most prevalent NTD impacting Cameroon. Globally, Cameroon falls within the top 15 countries with a high malaria disease burden. Nationally, more than 6 million cases of malaria occur yearly.

The country reports an annual death rate from malaria to be under 5,000 with a high majority being young children. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) suspects that the number could be well over twice that figure. The data discrepancy is due in part to poor reporting in rural areas.

Fighting Malaria in Cameroon

Although the country still reflects high disease rates, Cameroon’s war against malaria is being fought on multiple fronts. The “No one shall die from malaria” pledge signed by the country’s Ministry of Health shows Cameroon’s determination to fight malaria. The pledge falls in line with WHO’s Global Technical Strategy and Targets for Malaria 2016-2030 guidelines.

Agencies such as the World Bank, Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOP) support Cameroon’s efforts to provide access to clean drinking water to all people.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the International Medical Corps are providing critical health service resources necessary to prevent and treat NTDs such as malaria.

WHO is clarifying prophylaxis treatment options for pregnant women. Cameroon is also implementing a malaria vaccination program for children with provisions from WHO, Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance, and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The WHO is working closely with Cameroon’s Ministry of Health to outline plans on how to provide targeted responses in high disease-burden areas.

Data collected from the Vector Control to Fight Malaria Project is helping to recognize and understand mosquito patterns and activities. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring preventive tools such as insecticide-treated nets are still effective. This data also helps provide education to the community.

Summary

Being home to five different neglected tropical diseases, fighting malaria in Cameroon matters greatly for the country and its population, especially for young children and pregnant women.

Vaccinating young children has led to a significant decrease in disease and death rates of young children. WHO recognized Cameroon for being the first country to incorporate malaria vaccination into the general schedule for childhood immunization.

Many pregnant women have received insecticide-treated nets. And there is a stronger effort to support moms in receiving prophylaxis medication, and in assisting them with access to care during pregnancy.

Although the country made improvements to water infrastructures, there remains an inequitable gap between urban and rural populations having access to clean water. With almost one-quarter of the country’s population could be living in extreme poverty by 2026, addressing these concerns remains critical, and will be the best way to win Cameroon’s war against malaria.

– Kelly Chalupnik

Kelly is based in Kirkland, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr