Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Everything You Need to Know about Higher Education in Pakistan 

Higher Education in PakistanAlthough education is steadily improving in Pakistan, the country still needs to make many changes, especially in higher education. The current target for Pakistan is to improve enrollment and retention in primary and secondary schools. However, it is essential that Pakistan makes improvements in higher education as well, by addressing current obstacles within its education system.

The Importance of Improving Higher Education

Firstly, Pakistan is in an economically precarious situation. The floods in 2022 greatly reduced agricultural output, the main source of income for rural families. Hence, more people need an alternative source of income. This requires education to build skills so that more young people can enter the job market in a variety of sectors.

Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world with nearly a third of the population between the ages of 15-29. The working-age population is expected to rise to 5 million by 2035. All these young people need jobs but currently, nearly 11% are unemployed. With this large working-age population, Pakistan has the potential to boost the economy.

Higher education provides young people with quality employment opportunities that are highly fulfilling, pay well and help to break free from the poverty cycle. The Pakistan National Human Development Report states that compared to the less educated youth, those with tertiary education secure higher earnings. Currently, 48% of the working population falls into the unskilled worker category. Higher education has the power to change that.

Barriers to Accessing Education

Primary and secondary schools have low retention rates and this disproportionately affects those in poverty. For example, in Sindh, 52% of impoverished children are out of school. Of note, 53% have never received formal education in their lives.

Parents and guardians are not able to guide or prepare children on how to complete applications for higher education. In fact, parents are more likely to discuss how children can follow in their footsteps in jobs that are like theirs, instead of breaking free of the poverty cycle. Parents’ perceptions of education for those living in poverty can drastically shape their children’s progress in education. Many young people are taken out of school to work in a variety of industries, from agriculture to hospitality.

Girls face even greater barriers. Due to the patriarchal norms, elderly members of the family regard their further education to be less of an investment than boys, which can even result in child marriage. Women living in rural areas often become victims sexual harassment while traveling to schools in cities.

Improvements

  • Open universities, like the Allama Iqbal Open University, provide a flexible approach to higher education and offer online classes. This allows students who are in remote locations or those who are unable to leave their jobs an opportunity to access higher education. Allama Iqbal Open University currently has a student population of 1 million and 42 % of its students are from rural areas, suggesting that the university has been successful in broadening access to higher education. Notably, 50% of the student body is female. More than 70% of its graduates are employed, suggesting that the curriculum is designed to successfully equip students with skills to enhance their employability.
  • Women’s universities, such as the Fatima Jinnah Women’s University are opening across the country. These institutions empower women and prepare students for professional development. These also provide access to higher education to women whose parents are reluctant to allow them to learn in a co-educational environment. Fatima Jinnah Women’s University provides substantial financial support, finds new donors to fund scholarships and offers its own resources to students.
  • Improving the Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) program helps students who are looking to be employed straight after completing their education and provides an alternative to university for those who feel less suited to academics. Currently, there are only 3,700 technical and vocational institutes and 2,600 are privately run, which is costly. Thus, those from lower-income families are less able to access TVET. The quality of the curriculum also needs to be improved to better equip students with the necessary skills for employment. This can be done through more hands-on experiences as opposed to rote learning.
  • Established in 2013, The Shibli Trust is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable boarding packages to students in Islamabad so that students living in rural areas do not have to travel long distances to attend top universities. They provide three meals a day, gender-separated hostels and free wifi. They also provide scholarships so that lower- and middle-class students can attend high-ranking universities.

It seems that there are many successful schemes being put in place to improve access to higher education in Pakistan. With more young people furthering their education, Pakistan’s economy has the potential to grow exponentially. This change can also create a nation full of successful and fulfilled citizens.

– Sharvari Patil
Photo: Flickr

Addressing Plastic Pollution in the Global South Through Art

The creative economy encompasses a wide range of goods and services created through imagination and intellect, such as novels, art installations and theatrical performances. It is a significant global industry, generating more than $2,250 billion in annual revenues and employing more than 50 million people worldwide. However, these figures may underestimate the sector’s true impact, especially in the digital domain. These art forms not only inspire but also have a meaningful impact. For example, artists around the world are using their creativity to address plastic pollution in the Global South.

Global Plastic Pollution

Unlike noise, chemical and light pollution, the effect of human overconsumption is impossible to ignore because of its visual nature. The majority of plastic packaging ever produced still accumulates in landfills and bodies of water, with only 9% being recycled. In the past decade, This overabundance of plastic has reached a tipping point, disproportionately affecting the world’s poor. As a result, 218 million people are at a higher risk of flooding due to blocked waterways caused by plastic waste. This equates to 3% of the global population, surpassing the populations of the U.K., Germany and France combined.

Mismanaged plastic waste does not only degrade flood mitigation efforts; the blockage of drainage systems contributes to a higher prevalence of water-borne diseases in slums, coastal communities and small-island developing states.

Artists worldwide are drawing attention to the pressing issue of plastic pollution through their creative expressions, amplifying underrepresented opinions, showcasing skilled craftsmanship and supporting local economies.

Creative Criticism in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Congolese performance artist Junior Mungongu has gained international recognition for his bold statements at a recent exhibition during the KinAct Festival in Kinshasa. The capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to grapple with plastic waste management. The urban art display, established in 2015, aims to encourage social criticism and alternative forms of protest. Last year, Mungongu wore a full-body suit made entirely of plastic bottles and caps, urging passersby to twist the tops back on.

A Jamaican Perspective on the Impacts of Single-Use Plastic

In Jamaica, Travis Hunter has made a name for himself for making masterpieces from recycled plastic. Displayed in his front yard, Travis Hunter’s work has gained considerable notoriety in Gregory Park, Portmore. Hunter founded Travis Arts Jamaica in 2018, promoting an environmentally sustainable creative venture. A sculptor and painter by profession, he has managed to earn an income from building tables, benches and flower pots made out of plastic bottles, newspaper and styrofoam.

Kenyan Artistry for Environmental Stewardship

Vivian Oluoch founded Avianna Eco Arts and Decor Foundation to fight plastic pollution and empower female artists in Homa Bay. The home decor and handbag storefront uses old wine bottles and plastic trash to create marketable art. The effort is largely backed by women from the slums surrounding Shauri Yako Estate, who have profited from plastic crafts since 2020.

Vivian Oluoch established the Avianna Eco Arts and Decor Foundation in Homa Bay, Kenya, to combat plastic pollution and empower female artists. Its home decor and handbag storefront utilizes old wine bottles and plastic trash to create marketable art. This effort is primarily supported by women from the slums surrounding Shauri Yako Estate, who have been profiting from plastic crafts since 2020.

Catadores Clean Up Belo Horizonte Streets for a Cause

ASMARE is a collective of garbage collectors in Brazil that has established livelihoods for the homeless by selling art made of discarded plastics, tires and cardboard boxes for 33 years. It is comprised of almost 200 official employees. The group sells chairs, chandeliers and decorative figurines fashioned of what most would consider trash that litters nearby community spaces.

In the face of adversity, some of the world’s most marginalized populations have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness. Plastic pollution in the Global South presents a significant untapped source of revenue, fostering sustainability and stimulating the creative economy.

– Avery Pearson
Photo: Unsplash

HIV/AIDS in Brazil: Progress, Initiatives, Results

HIV/AIDS in BrazilSince the 1980s, HIV/AIDS in Brazil has been a concern for some of the Latin American nation’s most vulnerable citizens. HIV/AIDS remains a significant global health challenge, with Brazil being one of the most affected countries. Considering this, Brazil continues to make significant progress in its fight against this ongoing health issue, and the nation has seen its rate of infection and death due to HIV/AIDS decline in recent years. With a population of over 200 million, Brazil’s response to HIV/AIDS is driven by a combination of comprehensive healthcare initiatives, social awareness campaigns and innovative strategies.

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Brazil

The Centers for Disease Control defines HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, as a virus that affects the body’s immune system for the duration of one’s life. Furthermore, improper treatment or management of HIV can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which can be fatal. In other words, it is not possible to contract AIDS without having HIV first. According to UNAIDS, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Brazil has been steadily declining since 2010.

As of 2021, UNAIDS data shows that an estimated 960,000 children and adults in Brazil live with HIV, with a further 50,000 new diagnoses in children and adults in Brazil in 2018. Furthermore, an estimated 13,000 Brazilian children and adults died from HIV-related causes.

HIV/AIDS is more prevalent in specific populations, including LGBTQ people and sex workers. UNAIDS also provides data on prevalence rates in specific populations. According to the organization’s data, as of 2018, “Transgender people are estimated to have an HIV prevalence rate of 30%; 18.3% for gay men and other men who have sex with men; 5.9% for people who inject drugs; and 4.5% for prisoners.”

Access to Care and Treatment

Brazil has put multiple prevention and treatment programs into practice since its initial HIV/AIDS outbreak. Since 1996, the Brazilian Ministry of Health has provided free access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for any HIV patient living in Brazil. According to the National Institute of Health, since the 1980s, when Brazil’s HIV/AIDS outbreak emerged, there have been campaigns and initiatives surrounding HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. These include free, nationwide condom distribution, HIV testing, sexual education in schools and prevention campaigns targeted toward communities that are highly vulnerable to HIV, such as sex workers.

Results and Progress Made

While the country is still working to combat this ongoing health concern, Brazil’s comprehensive efforts and initiatives to reduce its HIV/AIDS prevalence rate have been successful. While infection rates are increasing, mortality rates are decreasing. According to UNAIDS data, the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Brazil was at its highest in the 1990s and has steadily decreased since 2000.

The prevalence rate of AIDS has shown a significant decline over the years. In 2000, it was approximately 12%, whereas, in 2022, it dropped to approximately 5%. Moreover, mortality rates related to AIDS have also seen a decline. In 1996, the peak number of AIDS-related deaths reached around 26,000 patients, but by 2021, that number had decreased by 50%, with an estimated 13,000 patients succumbing to AIDS.

Looking Ahead

HIV/AIDS patients in Brazil have access to readily available assistance, relief and education. Successful initiatives by government officials and health professionals have played a crucial role in combating HIV/AIDS in the Latin American nation, leading to a decline in its prevalence. Although there is still work to be done, the efforts put forth have made a significant impact in addressing the issue.

– Nicholas DeLuca
Photo: Unsplash

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Kashmir

Fragility and Rule of Law in KashmirKashmir is a region in South Asia with disputed territories in India, Pakistan and China. It is known for its diverse and vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, rich music and a wide range of clothing. Located in the Himalayas, Kashmir now stands as a symbol of fragility and the fight for the rule of law due to political disputes.

History

The Jammu and Kashmir territories have been under dispute since the Partition in 1947 when the British Raj withdrew and India and Pakistan separated based on religious divisions. With a Muslim majority, Kashmir had the choice to join either country. Initially planning for independence, the Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh later acceded to India after a tribal invasion, setting the stage for the fragility and ongoing struggles for the rule of law in Kashmir.

However, the Maharaja’s agreement to join India was based on terms outlined in Article 370 and Article 35A. Article 370 granted Kashmir autonomy to create its own Constitution, make laws and have its flag, while Article 35A ensured equal opportunities for Kashmiris in land ownership, employment and assistance. The Indian government deployed its army to counter the tribal invasion and although the United Nations (U.N.) established a ceasefire, both Indian and Pakistani troops remain in the region as of July 2023.

Political System in Kashmir

On August 5th, 2019, the Indian government revoked Articles 370 and 35A. The revocation undermined the rule of law in Kashmir and deprived citizens of the same rights and liberties they once had legal entitlements to. Jammu and Kashmir lost their state status and became Union Territories (UT), regions administered entirely by the central government, further contributing to the political fragility of the region.

Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have had limited political participation since the last state assembly elections in 2014. While India prides itself on being one of the world’s largest democracies, the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s state status raises concerns about the fragility and the rule of law in Kashmir. With the new UT status, both executive and legislative power rests with the central government and the State Assembly of Kashmir has been dissolved. This lack of representation has led to calls for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.

Human Rights Violations

In addition to the ever-changing and fragile system of government, arrests and enforced disappearances of activists and journalists have become increasingly common, undermining the fundamental principle of the rule of law in Kashmir. Notably, journalist Irfan Mehraj was arrested by the National Investigation Agency for exposing human rights abuses. 

According to the Free Speech Collective, the arrest of Irfan Mehraj is “an alarming indication of how far the authorities will go to clamp down on independent journalism.” The organization emphasizes the need to stop targeting independent journalists in Kashmir, allowing them to practice their profession without fear or favor.

Furthermore, the government has imposed numerous internet shutdowns, restricting communication and preventing the flow of information. In 2021 alone, Jammu and Kashmir experienced 85 internet shutdowns, violating the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and expression, as ruled by the Indian Supreme Court. This demonstrates the fragility of Kashmir, where the government perceives freedom of the press as a threat. 

Additionally, the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act grants the military broad powers in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to further human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture and rape. These violations often go unpunished, fueling controversy and perpetuating human rights abuses.

Political instability and human rights violations directly contribute to poverty in Kashmir. The region’s militarization, as seen through policies like the Armed Forces Act, is a leading cause. Additionally, 73% of people lack access to health care and 43% of children are out of school. The forced disappearances, violence and arrests have caused distress and instability within family structures, hindering socioeconomic success. Political instability has worsened inflation, with no state government creating opportunities for Kashmiris.

Take Action

Kashmir Action provides a variety of resources to educate individuals about the crisis in Kashmir. The website is run by the organization, Justice For All, which addresses issues and politically mobilizes for causes that have not garnered sufficient international support. For instance, Justice for All advocates for independent Kashmiri media, creates petitions for specific issues in Kashmir, organizes protests and provides educational material. In 2020, the organization reached more than 6 million social media interactions and distributed 75,000 educational brochures. A few ways to support Justice for All include signing petitions, making awareness posts and reading their reports.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development is another organization dedicated to providing direct humanitarian aid to Kashmiris on both sides of the border. It offers resources to those in need through its campaigns across the world. For example, in 2021, the organization provided in-kind gifts to 4,718,872 containing food, furniture, hygiene items, school supplies, medical equipment and clothes. The essential items in the relief kits assist people across the globe living in poverty while alleviating their suffering. Moreover, Helping Hand’s Kashmir Relief Campaign goes to projects such as Winter Relief, Ramadan Food, Water for Life and the Medical In-Kind Gifts Program. These campaigns are especially important for global poverty alleviation as they provide necessities to vulnerable populations in Kashmir. 

Looking Ahead

The people of Kashmir continue to show resilience under the unstable political system and the ongoing human rights violations that undermine the rule of law. Raising awareness of the attacks on human rights is pivotal to garnering international support. While political instability and human rights violations contribute to socio-economic disparities in Kashmir, taking both political actions and donating to humanitarian aid play a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for Kashmir. 

– Mehreen Syed
Photo: Unsplash

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Learning to Read in Ghana: Adult Literacy Programs

Adult Literacy Programs in GhanaGhana, a large West African country along the Atlantic Ocean coast, has long grappled with the challenge of illiteracy. An estimated 42% of the adult population in the country is illiterate, with women facing a higher rate of around 50%, compared to 33% among men. As a result, there is a pressing need for Adult Literacy Programs in Ghana.

ALPs and Education

Adult Literacy Programs, or ALPs, serve exactly the function the name suggests. These programs help adults learn how to read. However, literacy is much more than understanding words or numbers on a page. It serves an important societal function that allows people to interact with the world around them. ALPs can help increase skills among populations struggling with underdeveloped education, poor health and labor market participation.

These programs seek to provide adults with a well-rounded education that they may apply to their daily lives. Programs that utilize creative approaches rather than traditional classroom pedagogy are often more successful. For example, modern advances such as cell phones help adults retain new, relevant information.

History of ALPs in Ghana

Adult Literacy Programs in Ghana have a long history, stretching back to the time before the nation was independent. In the early 18th century, the Dutch Reformed Church introduced local language adult literacy work to Ghana, then the Gold Coast. After the Second World War, in 1948, the British Colonial Government officially adopted literacy as a component of the national education system and set out to establish similar programs. Since gaining independence in 1957, Ghana has embarked on several literacy-based initiatives beyond the scope of colonizing powers.

Within the past 50 years, the state has instituted a variety of educational acts, such as the Education Act of 1961 and the 1992 Constitution, which established education as a basic right for all citizens. Similarly, the state partnered with several NGOs and instituted programs such as the Free and Compulsory Universal Basic Education. Current estimates suggest that the youth and adult literacy rates are around 80% and 75% due to these programs.

Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program (NFLP)

One such program is Ghana’s National Functional Literacy Program or the NFLP. It seeks to increase the national literacy rate, and defines a functionally literate person as “one who can engage in activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his/her…community and also for enabling him/her to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his/her own and the community’s development.”

In classroom settings, adult Ghanaians learn reading, math and other complementary skills. Some classes are women or men only, while others are a mix of both. Studies have noted substantial gains in reading skills, but relatively weak writing and numeracy skills. Still, the NFLP has led to more labor market participation, greater income and generally more economic liberties for newly literate Ghanaians. One hypothesis for the NFLP’s notable success is its longer duration of 21 months, whereas many other ALPs tend to last for only nine.

The Literacy and Community Development Program

Another ALP in Ghana is the Literacy and Community Development Program, a literacy and socio-economic development program which targets adults 15 and above with little to no formal education. There are specific efforts that serve to accommodate vulnerable or marginalized groups such as women, youth, prison inmates, nomads and people living with disabilities. Pamoja Ghana launched this program officially, with financial and technical support from Action Aid Ghana (AAG).

Since its founding, numerous groups have been established across the entire country and currently, there are about 3,340 active participants. Adults and adolescents can learn basic literacy and life skills through this program, and many learners have even gone on to hold positions in district assemblies in their localities or have become elders in their various religions. Some younger participants who were forced out of school due to poverty or societal pressures were able to continue learning informally before eventually re-enrolling in formal school. Overall, this ALP has assisted many adult Ghanaians with learning to read, thus allowing them to interact with their communities in new and improved ways.

– Char Nieberding
Photo: Unsplash

HIV/AIDS in Namibia

HIV/AIDS in NamibiaNamibia has one of the highest infection rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. HIV/AIDS in Namibia has been on the decline since 2000, but in 2021, the country still ranked fourth in the world based on infection rate, with 11% of adults aged 15-49 living with HIV. Although this is an improvement over the country’s 14.1% infection rate as of 2000, the country is working to lower the current rate. The Namibian government works in tandem with local organizations to reduce infection rates across the country.

PEPFAR in Namibia

PEPFAR is a United States (U.S.) initiative that aims to address HIV/AIDS internationally and is now the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. According to the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, PEPFAR has contributed nearly $1.1 billion toward reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia since the program’s inception in 2003. The U.S. works with Namibia to identify people living with HIV/AIDS and ensure they are receiving medical care, preventing new infections and caring for vulnerable people afflicted with HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR Namibia works more closely with the Namibian government, identifying high-volume areas of infection and decentralizing services to spread treatment further.

PEPFAR’s primary goal in Namibia is to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which means 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of those diagnosed receive treatment and 90% of those receiving medical care maintain a suppressed viral load.

ART Treatment and C-BART Sites

In an effort to reach the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, the Namibian government has implemented ART treatment and C-BART sites, both of which have been successful. ART stands for antiretroviral therapy, which is an HIV treatment that involves taking a combination of HIV medicines every day to reduce an HIV-positive person’s viral load. C-BART sites are decentralized sites that bring ART treatments to peoples’ homes in rural parts of Namibia.

ART treatment is distributed on a “Treat All” basis, meaning that anyone who tests positive for HIV is automatically recommended for the treatment, no matter their circumstances. This “Treat All” initiative, along with the wide implementation of ART treatment through C-BARTs, has been very successful in reducing HIV/AIDS in Namibia, helping PEPFAR complete two out of the three “90s” in the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. The C-BART plans were especially successful, assisting in the destigmatization of HIV/AIDS in local communities because of the facilities’ community ownership.

Project HOPE

Project HOPE is an international global health and humanitarian aid nonprofit that aims to reduce HIV/AIDS in Namibia and around the world. The organization’s Namibia chapter is one of the largest nonprofits working against HIV/AIDS in Namibia and focuses on creating small-scale HIV/AIDS programs across the country. Since its inception, it has reached more than 32,000 adolescent girls and young women with its DREAMS program, which encourages women to focus on a future free of HIV. Project HOPE has also put more than 13,000 young women on PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, an HIV-preventative treatment).

Looking Ahead

Since 2000, Namibia has made tremendous progress in mitigating its HIV/AIDS crisis. By working with other governmental organizations, community health centers and nonprofit organizations, Namibia has reduced the stigma around HIV and spread treatment for the disease to the most rural areas of the country. Compared to the past, this continued increase in testing and treatment has made Namibia a much safer place to live for HIV-positive people.

– Aidan Johnstone
Photo: Flickr

Everything You Need to Know About the New TB Vaccine

On June 28, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that they would contribute $400 million to the late-stage trial for a new Tuberculosis vaccine. The M72 vaccine, if approved, will be the first new TB vaccine in 100 years. According to the WHO, 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 and 80% of cases and deaths were in developing countries. Therefore, this vaccine could have an enormous impact on the developing world and people in poverty.

How it Works

The M72 vaccine is a subunit vaccine, meaning that it contains two antigens that are found on the surface of TB bacteria. These antigens, when recognized by the body, provoke an immune response to the TB bacteria. The antigens were specifically selected by the vaccine developer, GSK, for having such a solid ability to provoke this immune response against TB. In 2019, early trials of the M72 TB vaccine showed it to be 54% effective in adults with latent TB, a group that no vaccine has worked on before.

Latent TB refers to the period after initial infection with the TB bacteria but before the active TB stage begins. When initial infection occurs, the body mounts an immune response, but some bacteria survive this. During the latent stage, these surviving bacteria multiply, and patients usually do not experience any symptoms. This stage can last months or years until the immune system can no longer control the bacteria, at which point the active stage of TB begins.

The only existing TB vaccine, the BCG vaccine, is made from a weakened strain of TB. While it is effective at combating meningitis and TB in children, it does not prevent primary infection or the reactivation of TB bacteria after the latent stage. Therefore, unlike the M72, it is not effective in adults with latent TB.

Funding the Trial

Despite this vaccine being the first to affect people with latent TB, GSK decided that it was not financially viable to pursue further trials because of the 54% efficacy. However, two charities have stepped in to keep the vaccine alive.

The stage three trial that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is making a contribution toward will cost $550 million. The Foundation’s $400 million donation, its largest-ever investment in a single project, will be combined with a further $150 million from the Wellcome Trust to make up this total. The trial will take place at a dozen locations across Africa and Asia, selected for their unusually high rates of latent TB infection so that scientists can efficiently determine if the vaccine prevents active TB from beginning. The trial will involve around 26,000 participants and will take four to six years to complete.

However, the investment from charities alone may not be enough. The vaccine could still need a commercial partner, something that the Foundation hopes to secure in the next 12 months. There is concern about this, since the lack of a market for the vaccine in the developed world may discourage many vaccine makers. However, Indian vaccine producers have expressed interest, since the jab would significantly impact their country, where it’s estimated 504,000 people died from TB in 2021.

The Bottom Line

According to the WHO, if the trial proves that the new TB vaccine really does have a 50% efficacy rate, it could save up to 8.5 million lives by 2050, with the most significant impact being in developing countries and for people living in poverty. Additionally, it could prevent the prescription of 42 million courses of antibiotic treatment, and therefore hopefully combat TB’s antibiotic resistance.

With the potential to be the first new vaccine in 100 years, the M72 jab is promising. However, the fight against TB is not yet over. Despite the lack of burden in wealthier countries, this vaccine still needs attention in the developed world, particularly from vaccine producers, so that, if it proves viable, it can help people in poverty around the world.

– Lily Cooper

Photo: Flickr

Health Care in India: 5 Things to Know

Health Care in IndiaAround 10% of India’s 1.4 billion population live below the World Bank’s median poverty line of $2.15 a day. Six out of 10 Indians survive on less than $3.20 a day, making it difficult for many to afford health care in India. Oxfam’s 2023 report highlights that the richest 10% own over 72% of the country’s wealth, while the top 1% holds around 40.6%. This economic disparity affects vulnerable households, impacting their access to basic necessities like health care. To understand the country’s health system better, here are five key points about health care in India.

  1. India Has a Huge Role in Producing Generic Medicines: India is one of the largest manufacturers of antibiotics, producing around 20% of all generic medicines worldwide in 2022. The country houses more than 3,000 pharmaceutical companies and is a crucial supplier of drugs worldwide, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country alone is mostly responsible for meeting Africa’s drug demand. Even higher-income countries like the U.S. and the U.K. depend on India for 40% and 25% of their generic drugs, respectively. Despite India’s contributions to medicine production, its vast population of 1.4 billion continues to face health challenges.
  2. Expensive Health Care Impoverishes Many Indians: According to The Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, costly health services impoverish 55 million Indians every year and 17% of households have no choice besides spending substantial portions of their income on health annually. In spite of the constant battle for adequate health care in India, the country faces barriers that include physical access and affordability of health care as well as diagnostic concerns. Underfunding from the government has led to disproportionate levels of health care in India between states, with very few states having sufficient facilities for diagnosing and treating individuals. Despite the private sector having up-to-date facilities, costly services for essential trips mean that such private services are out of reach for many Indians.
  3. Many Indians Value Traditional Medicines: In India, many see the Ayurveda (science of life) system and herbal medicines as a cheaper alternative to conventional medicines. Ayurveda has been practiced in India for around 3,000 years and deals with symptoms, diagnosis and treatment based on mental, physical and spiritual health. In practice, this health system uses herbal medicines, meditation and breathing exercises to treat individuals with health concerns.  For example, the Ayurveda system has been endorsed by organizations such as Cancer Research U.K. (CRUK) to help relieve cancer symptoms in patients.
  4. Malaria Is a Major Public Health Concern: According to WHO, the South-East Asia region was responsible for 2% of malaria cases globally; India was responsible for 79% of cases and therefore remains the country with the highest malaria burden. Roughly 83% of deaths in the South-East Asia region were from India in 2021. Despite this, the World Malaria Report has highlighted the decline of malaria cases by 49% and mortalities associated with the disease being 51% compared to 2017.
  5. Health Care in India Is Improving: According to WHO, India’s health sector has shown significant improvements, with life expectancy at birth increasing to around 70 years in 2020 from 50 years in 1970. In 2023, the government of India aims to enhance its health sector with World Bank financing worth $500 million to support India’s flagship program Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched in October 2021, to improve the public health care infrastructure in India. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for urgent care systems; this project aims to enhance health service delivery and pandemic preparedness across India.

Looking Ahead

Overall, the flagship program to improve infrastructure across health care in India demonstrates the country’s response to COVID-19 and efforts to protect the well-being of future generations. There is hope that the health sector will continue to improve if the government maintains its effort toward reforming the public sector.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Wikimedia

Reducing Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in Bahrain

Mental Health in BahrainThe stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking the help they so desperately need. The state of mental health impacts everyday life, for most people this can be good or bad. In Bahrain, over the years, there has been an improvement in the available mental health services. Greater efforts are being made to improve education and reduce the mental health stigma.

Mental Health in Numbers

Looking at the statistics for mental health in Bahrain, 4.9% of people have anxiety disorders and 4.5% have depression. A study conducted in 2010 found that 19.3% of patients in primary care centers had lifetime depression and 5.6% had current depression. Of those who suffered from a mental illness in the past, only 41% had received treatment. Here lies the primary issue—seeking help.

Bahrain is one of three countries in the Gulf that had more than 30 psychiatric beds (33.8) per 100,000 individuals in 2007. In the 2011 WHO-AIMS report, Bahrain reported having only one mental health hospital, at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in the country’s capital, Manama. One of the key values of the psychiatric hospital is ‘personal responsibility’—encouraging a sense of responsibility through increasing awareness and education regarding mental health. Reducing poor mental health in Bahrain through improving education and awareness is a primary way more people can not only take care of their mental health but also reduce stigma around mental health and its treatment.

In 2015, psychiatrists conducted a study evaluating the pattern of mental health disorders in Bahrain. The results revealed that people with poor education and low income had the highest risk of developing mental illness. The results further showed that over 30% of the participants were from social class 5 (with primary school level education or less, unskilled workers or unemployed). In addition, over 42% were from social class 4 (with education less than high school but more than primary school level, working class, semi-skilled and skilled). While the reasons behind these statistics were not investigated, the World Health Organization has labeled poverty as the primary cause of global suffering, including poor mental health.

The Prevailing Stigma

Some can view struggling with mental health as a test from God or a sign of a weak connection with God. This sometimes prevents people from seeking help from medical and psychological professionals, believing the answer to their mental health struggles is to pray. While prayer can definitely offer comfort, seeking help is also very important.

In an interview with the Daily Tribune, News of Bahrain in December 2022, licensed psychologist Dr. Mariam Alammadi explains that she has witnessed an increase in the number of people seeking help. She believes there has been a shift in the general attitude toward mental health in Bahrain, with the stigma surrounding it slowly diminishing.

Help for People in Bahrain

The past few years have seen an improvement in the resources available and organizations dedicated to educating the public on mental health in Bahrain. One such organization is the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), a charity founded in 1971. Alongside its other admirable work, BRCS strives to provide psychological support to citizens. The organization provides a training program in psychological first aid, holds workshops on mental health in Bahrain as well as elsewhere in the Gulf and continues its “Your Mental Health Matters” initiative. The latest training program was attended by 67 participants and aimed to enhance the capability of volunteers and staff in providing psychological care to those in need before, during and after disasters and crises. The participants’ test score rate improved from 60% before the training to 90% after the training, demonstrating the benefit of the program.

The Instagram account @unknotted.bh is another nonprofit community organization that provides free support group sessions for mental health, making help more accessible for those suffering but who cannot afford to seek treatment elsewhere. It also uploads informative, educational posts that aim to educate people on mental health and shares advice on how to deal with others’ mental health as well as one’s own. The posts are in both Arabic and English, thus making the resources accessible to a wider audience.

Fighting for a Promising Future

BRCS and @unknotted.bh are just two nonprofit organizations working tirelessly to improve mental health in Bahrain through better education. These organizations are fighting to end the stigma surrounding mental health treatment in Bahrain. Hopefully, by progressively reaching a wider audience, these organizations and others can make people more comfortable asking for help, thereby reducing the number of people that suffer as a result of not seeking treatment.

– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Unsplash

Disability and Poverty in Peru  

Disability and Poverty in PeruPeople with disabilities in Peru face their own personal challenges every day, but the country has received praise for its efforts to alleviate the challenges resulting from disability and poverty in Peru. Nancy Gamarra, the Vice Minister for Women’s Affairs and Vulnerable Peoples, declared a commitment toward enabling Peruvians with disabilities to ‘fully flourish,’ through legislation and regulated mechanisms. This is evidence of movement in the right direction. 

3 Key Facts To Know About Disability and Poverty in Peru

Persons with disabilities are classified as anyone who is in a state of vulnerability. With this classification, amongst the indigenous population and migrant population, there is a lack of data that identifies the portion of people with disabilities within these groups. Thus, as the country pushed for improvements in the rights of everyone with a disability, it faced a challenge when ensuring the operations took a fair and intersectional approach to the issue. 

There is a close link between disability and poverty in Peru and the older population. According to a recent study, while the older population in extreme poverty is more likely to have a disability, they have limited access to health care services. The study defined disability as ADL disability where the individual’s activities of daily living would be impacted. Results of the study established that more than 60% of people with ADL disability had never been evaluated for preventative measures. Additionally, older Peruvians with an ADL disability had significantly less chance of having insurance compared to individuals without a disability. 

Interestingly, half of Peruvians with disabilities are of working age, representing an estimated 1 million people. Unfortunately, their unemployment rate is 12.1%, in stark contrast to the overall population’s unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Movement in the Right Direction

In 2009, the National Institute for Radio and Television established the ‘No Barriers’ program with the mission to promote the visibility of Peruvians with disabilities and ensure disability was no longer considered a hindrance. As part of this program, broadcast television introduced sign language interpretation to make information accessible to individuals with disabilities. This initiative contributed to shaping public policy on appropriate language around disability.

A decade later, in 2019, Peru implemented the National Gender Equality Policy, aligned with its human rights obligations outlined in the National Agreement. The policy aims to address discrimination against women and its root causes. Its goals include reducing violence against women, increasing women’s participation in decision-making and eradicating sociocultural patterns of discrimination in the country’s population. The policy aims to achieve these objectives by 2030, with indicators such as a 40% increase in women’s representation in Congress. Notably, emergency centers for women now cover 100% of the nation, reflecting the progress so far under this policy.

The focus of this policy is on women’s rights, but it has also shed light on broader issues of structural discrimination and lack of diversity, including disability and poverty in Peru. A significant recent achievement in addressing disability and poverty is the launch of the Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development in 2021.

The Multisectoral Public Policy on Disability for Development

This policy will be implemented in 2030, marking the first national public policy focused on disability. Since its implementation, a progress report has recognized the success of the policy. For example, 127 penalties were received by businesses that had an insufficient number of persons with disabilities employed. In addition to this, Peru introduced a protocol to ensure public services can provide appropriate accommodation to persons with disabilities. 

Peru’s government mission is to set a new standard for the inclusion and understanding of persons with disabilities within the next seven years.

Positive change is also evident in the work of the Adecco Foundation and its contact with Peruvian companies. The Adecco Group, as part of its work, campaigns for inclusivity in employment globally and one of its partners is the International Labour Organization’s Global Business and Disability Network. With this, the President of the Adecco Group, in consultation with 30 Peruvian companies, shared human resources management practices with a particular acknowledgment of the circumstances of people with disabilities. Findings from this network recognize how improving diversity in employment also benefits businesses. A specialist in ILO’s Bureau for Employers’ Activities, Villamil, explains ‘the inclusion of these people improves the work climate, teamwork, elimination of stereotypes, increased innovation and improved corporate reputation.

It is clear that the country has made promising progress in addressing the relationship between disability and poverty in Peru. With government intervention and companies following suit, Peru’s journey to a more inclusive country spurs reasons for hope.

– Poppy Harris
Photo: Unsplash