Archive for category: Global Health

Information and stories about global health.

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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

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Regulation of PFAS in the EU: Tackling Health Risks and Protecting Communities

Regulation of PFAS in the EUPFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are a growing concern in the European Union due to their harmful impact on both human health and the environment. Regulation of PFAS in the EU is accelerating to help control negative health outcomes and prevent further contamination of the environment. This article explores the latest developments in PFAS regulation and litigation and the broader implications for public health and vulnerable communities in the EU.

Background

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is the umbrella name for a group of more than 7 million human-made and naturally occurring chemicals. This group of chemicals is known for its persistence in the environment gaining the nickname of “forever chemicals.” Over the past few years, PFAS have come to the spotlight in European media following extensive class actions against producers in the U.S. since the late 1990s.

It is a subset of several thousand human-made PFAS which are of particular concern in Europe today for their negative impacts on human health. These health impacts include increased incidences of cancer, pregnancy complications and potentially, diseases of organs such as the thyroid and kidneys.

Harmful PFAS (such as PFOS and PFOAS) are a global problem, accumulating in environments and living beings. The Stockholm Convention sought to regulate several types of PFAS, beginning in 2009 and expanding to regulate what is currently a handful of the chemicals worldwide. Globally, 99% of humans (including fetuses) have measurable levels of forever chemicals in their bloodstream.

The European PFAS Problem

Europe has a legacy of several large production sites where forever chemicals were used heavily in industry. There are also large sites where PFAS presence in firefighting foam has caused significant contamination of groundwater and surrounding soil. In a Europe-wide investigation from French news platform Le Monde and The Forever Pollution Project, PFAS contamination was detected at 23,000 sites. A further 21,500 sites had presumed contamination which had not yet been tested for, and over 2,300 sites contained concentrations of specific PFAS at which there was hazard to human health.

Little EU-specific work has investigated the impacts of harmful forever chemicals on specific groups. According to the research conducted by the author of this article, many (though not all) European industrial sites which have historic, or present PFAS production activities are situated near lower-income communities. It is a concern that people living in these areas may be disproportionately affected by the chemicals compared to those living in higher socio-economic conditions.

Furthermore, negative health outcomes from harmful PFAS exposure have been shown to accumulate faster in children. This includes impacts on the immune system and a child’s lowered ability to fight childhood infections. Lower birth weights for babies born from women with high levels of harmful PFAS exposure can also result in secondary complications of developmental problems and poorer health in later life. This outcome was comparable to associations drawn between premature births to mothers with high exposure to tobacco.

Regulating PFAS in the EU

Regulation of PFAS in the EU enjoys a relatively transparent process which began with the Stockholm Convention. It gained real traction following the 2023 submission of a “REACH” restriction proposal on forever chemicals by Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

REACH is an EU regulation aiming to protect human and environmental health from chemical risks while also seeking to uphold a competitive EU chemicals industry. The regulation establishes standards of assessment, registration and compliance evaluation within EU manufacturing and imports.

As of 2025, REACH revisions have accelerated the dates of restrictions of some harmful types of PFAS in certain EU industries and led to faster safety measure implementations. Regulation of PFAS in the EU is also approaching total bans on consumer products such as cosmetics and food packaging, in line with similar developments within the US. Cleantech and health care companies will not be a part of the EU regulatory ban but see stricter regulation instead as the chemicals are still essential in these industries. The hope is for safer use of forever chemicals in present and future production.

Rise of EU PFAS Litigation

As well as an increase in regulation of PFAS in the EU, there has also been a rise in litigation surrounding legacy sites of production and PFAS use. Over the past two decades, $16.7 billion in U.S. legal settlements have been paid out to people alleging harm from PFAS exposure. A recent claim against chemical giant 3M was settled for $10.5 billion.

Both individuals and groups within EU countries are now beginning to seek compensation for health damages and costs of cleaning up PFAS pollutants. In Belgium, company 3M paid out more than €580 million to the Flemish government in 2022 for chemical leaks of forever chemicals and is also compensating neighbouring businesses into 2025 for a new round of claims.

Residents of countries including the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and France are also suing companies, governments, and water treatment facilities (in the case of Sweden) for discharges of harmful PFAS into drinking water and agricultural land, according to Chemsec.

As legal settlements and regulatory actions increase, it is crucial to ensure that economically disadvantaged groups are not left behind in the process of receiving compensation and assistance. This is especially important as many economically disadvantaged communities are situated near legacy contamination sites and may have experienced negative health outcomes for decades before litigation, according to the research conducted by the author.

Hope for the future of the EU’s PFAS landscape

The rising awareness of forever chemicals and their impacts, the costs of essential cleanup and increasing regulation of PFAS in the EU is a positive process. EU-wide compensation and regulation could take significant time to implement, becoming a high-profile risk on the agenda of many companies facing litigation now and in the future.

Alongside these processes, there is a developing new market for innovation for both removal and disposal of harmful PFAS. Next-generation water filters, specialist treatment systems and new monitoring standards could have positive spillover effects for applications outside the EU. The new EU frameworks being introduced to handle forever chemicals may set a model for similar framework implementation elsewhere. While the EU has a lot of work and clean-up to do surrounding harmful PFAS, the prospects of safer drinking water for residents are positive. Regulation of PFAS in the EU has recognised the right to a safe environment and safe drinking water for its citizens, empowering citizens to demand these rights too.

– Autumn Joseph

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

Photo: Flickr

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Tech Startups Transform Vision and Hearing in Africa

How Tech Startups are Transforming Vision and Hearing in AfricaAfrica faces critical health care gaps, with millions lacking access to vision and hearing services. According to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), 90% of avoidable blindness occurs in low-income regions like Africa, where health care systems remain underfunded. Similarly, hearing loss impacts more than 2.5 billion people globally, with most in low- and middle-income countries. Startups like Lapaire and HearX are addressing these challenges by introducing affordable, tech-driven solutions. Their efforts demonstrate how innovation can potentially transform accessibility and improve health outcomes across the continent.

Health Care Landscape in Africa

Africa has undergone a rigorous transition and in recent years there have been many positive shifts in related health outcomes. By 2050, 163 million people on the continent will reach the age of 60 and the population is expected to be a staggering 2.8 billion. These successes contribute significantly to the success of the continent as a whole with more individuals reaching working age and more women entering the workforce. 

Visual impairment is a significant issue in Africa. 26.3 million people across the region suffer from some form of visual impairment whether that be: cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, corneal opacities, diabetic retinopathy, trachoma and onchocerciasis and  It is estimated that 15.3% of the world’s blind population reside in Africa. 

With today’s medical knowledge, up to 80% of blindness is preventable and treatable. Cost-effective interventions are available for the major causes of avoidable blindness. However, millions of people in the Region remain at risk of visual loss due to the lack of eye-care services.

Evidence indicates that ‘avoidable blindness’ such as that caused by communicable diseases like trachoma and onchocerciasis (river blindness) is decreasing, whereas noncommunicable age-related eye conditions (e.g. cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy) are increasing. So far, The control of river blindness through the Onchocerciasis Control Programme has resulted in the prevention of 600,000 cases of blindness.

Startups Leading the Way in Vision and Hearing Accessibility

  • Lapaire Eyecare: Revolutionizing Affordable Vision Solutions. Swiss lawyer Jérôme Lapaire, while living in Nairobi, Kenya, observed that many working-class individuals could not afford corrective eyewear. This realization led to the founding of Lapaire Eyecare, which started with a simple model: offering $25 glasses and free eye exams. However, challenges such as currency depreciation, high marketing costs and consumer perceptions of low-cost products hindered early progress. Pivoting to West Africa, Lapaire established a strong base in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and expanded to 70 outlets across six countries. With a $3 million funding boost, the company now serves uninsured customers, providing affordable glasses that can significantly improve quality of life. “If people possibly can, they will pay $35 to improve their vision, with sometimes life-changing impact,” Lapaire remarked.
  • HearX: Democratizing Hearing Solutions with AI and Innovation. HearX, founded by four South Africans, identified a gap in accessible hearing care. CEO Nic Klopper aimed to democratize hearing solutions by replacing costly audiometers with smartphone-based tools, leveraging AI technology from Pretoria University. Its breakthrough came with the development of over-the-counter hearing aids, facilitated by a 2022 United States (U.S.) legislative change that allowed patients to bypass specialists. These devices, priced at $999 per pair, are far more affordable than traditional hearing aids and connect to a smartphone app for user adjustments and remote consultations. In 2023, HearX achieved $58 million in sales and raised $60 million in funding. However, regulatory hurdles in South Africa, driven by lobbying from hearing specialists, have slowed domestic adoption. HearX continues to pilot more affordable devices and installment payment options, aiming to reach underserved markets across Africa and beyond.

The Future of Accessible Vision and Hearing in Africa

The journey toward accessible health care for vision and hearing in Africa requires immediate, innovative and collaborative solutions. Underdeveloped health care systems demand a mix of public and private sector involvement. With the rise of startups like Lapaire and HearX, as well as conferences like Inclusive Africa, progress continues while promoting digital accessibility. Addressing the core issues of human resources, budget allocation and management could further advance these ongoing efforts. Through these combined ventures, Africa moves closer to a future where vision and hearing accessibility become realities for all.

– Ayat Aslam

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

Photo: Flickr

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Cancer in West Africa: A Growing Health Challenge

Cancer in West Africa: A Growing Health Challenge Cancer remains a significant health challenge in West Africa, with its impact steadily increasing in recent years. In 2022, the Global Cancer Observatory recorded 263,255 new cancer cases in the region. Late diagnoses and limited access to treatment facilities have pushed mortality rates above 60%, highlighting urgent public health and socio-economic disparities that demand attention.

Common Types of Cancer in the Region

Breast, cervical, liver and prostate cancers are the most prevalent types in West Africa. Among women, breast and cervical cancer dominate diagnoses, while prostate and liver cancer are the leading causes among men. Cervical cancer, largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening, remains a major cause of death due to the absence of widespread immunization programs and early detection services. Similarly, liver cancer is often linked to exposure to aflatoxins—poisonous substances found in mold-contaminated food—compounding health risks in the region.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Geographic and environmental factors also play a significant role in cancer prevalence. Increased exposure to environmental pollutants from urbanization and industrialization has raised cancer risks. Lifestyle changes, including dietary shifts, reduced physical activity and higher rates of tobacco and alcohol consumption, have further exacerbated the burden of noncommunicable diseases in West Africa.

Health Care Gaps and Access Issues

Limited health care infrastructure presents one of the most significant barriers to addressing cancer in West Africa. A shortage of oncologists, inadequate diagnostic equipment and poorly resourced health care systems mean that many patients receive diagnoses in advanced stages of the disease. Countries such as Sierra Leone and Guinea have minimal specialized medical personnel, leaving large portions of their populations without adequate care. This stark disparity in access to treatment makes combating cancer in the region considerably more challenging.

Efforts to Combat Cancer

Despite these ongoing challenges, efforts to tackle cancer in West Africa have grown over the past decade. Public health campaigns, led by organizations like the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and supported by global entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO), have focused on:

Notable success stories include Ghana’s cervical cancer screening expansion and the introduction of HPV vaccines in schools, as well as Nigeria’s national cancer control plans, which aim to improve early detection rates.

Looking Ahead

Beyond its medical implications, cancer poses a developmental challenge, straining families, communities and economies in a region already facing significant vulnerabilities. Addressing the rising cancer burden in West Africa requires comprehensive strategies that prioritize preventive care, education and strengthening health care systems. Furthermore, collaborative efforts that focus on expanding vaccination programs, improving access to diagnostic tools and training medical personnel are essential. By investing in sustainable health initiatives, the region can potentially work toward reducing mortality rates and mitigating the socio-economic impact of cancer on communities.

– Joe Lockett

Joe is based in the Wirral, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr