Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Poverty and Hunger in Ghana and Africa

 

Poverty and Hunger in Ghana and AfricaPoverty and hunger in Ghana pose present significant issues that harm millions of people in the country. With an estimated 24.2% of the population living below the poverty line on less than $1.90 a day, poverty in Ghana remains a persistent issue that impacts access to food, education and the necessary resources to live a healthy and fulfilling life. A common experience that results from living in extreme levels of poverty in Ghana and across the entire continent of Africa is hunger. The continent lacks food sovereignty. What this means is that most countries in Africa depend on other nations and imported resources to feed themselves. During a three-day Feed Africa Summit in January 2023, a conference held to find solutions to the hunger crisis in Africa, the African Development Bank Group chief stated that an estimated 283 million African people experience hunger daily.

Malnutrition in Ghana

Many countries that experience high levels of hunger also experience malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs when the body is missing the required nutrients or when it has more than it needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that malnutrition accounts for nearly half of all deaths among children under 5 years old. This is true in the case of Ghana where, in 2019, an estimated one in every ten children under 5 years old were underweight, with many not having access to diverse food groups that contain vital nutrients for physical development. 

The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

While Ghana is already a historically impoverished nation, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a very negative economic impact on the country and the entire continent of Africa. One way in which the war has negatively impacted the continent is the rising price of food. These food prices are the result of African communities being dependent on imported goods from Russia and Ukraine, specifically wheat and sunflower products. In many regions of West Africa from 2019 to 2022, the percentage of people struggling with food insecurity rose from 10.7 million to 40.7 million. 

The issue of an increasing number of individuals experiencing crisis is only expected to get worse as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. This is due to agricultural activities being on hold, thereby stopping the exportation of goods that Ghana depends on. Beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict impacting hunger in Ghana, there is also the issue of climate change that impacts the rain-fed crops which the country relies on. 

Ongoing Efforts

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) uses food assistance to save lives during emergencies. Since its establishment in 1961, the organization has helped millions of people across different countries to achieve greater levels of food security. In Ghana, WFP focuses on preventing a specific form of malnutrition known as stunting. Stunting occurs when growth is hindered due to poor nutrition. To address this issue, WFP in Ghana provides aid to pregnant women and children aged 6 months to 2 years, recognizing the first 1,000 days of life as the most critical period for establishing proper nutrition and laying a foundation for healthy growth.

The organization offers assistance to those in need by providing vouchers to mothers, enabling them to purchase nutritious food that might otherwise be inaccessible. Moreover, they collaborate with private organizations and government agencies to establish food supply chains and connect small farmers with larger processing firms. In addition, they have implemented a nationwide school feeding program that connects children with nutritious food at school, linking it directly to local agriculture.

Looking Ahead

The WFP, through its efforts, is working to combat malnutrition and promote food security in Ghana. While food insecurity is still a problem in the country, every step toward progress in the fight against it represents hope for Ghanaians.

 

– Kellyjohana Ahumada
Photo: Flickr

Start Up Tackles Maternal Mortality in Uganda

Maternal Mortality in UgandaAlmost half of all maternal deaths during childbirth in Uganda could be prevented through antenatal ultrasound scans. Scans are not readily available due to low availability of traditional ultrasound machines and inaccessibility of ultrasound clinics. However, a startup is helping to turn the tide when it comes to maternal mortality in Uganda.

The Issue: Maternal Mortality in Uganda

Approximately 16 women die during childbirth every day in Uganda. According to UNICEF, this equates to an estimated 368 deaths per 100,000 live births. On average, seven of these 16 women die due to “scannable risk factors of maternal mortality”.

Mortality due to conditions such as deficiency in amniotic fluid or umbilical cord problems can be prevented through early detection with ultrasound, throughout the course of the pregnancy. However, traditional ultrasound machines are a rarity in rural Uganda and other low-resource settings across Africa.

In 2017, Prosper Ahimbisibwe, Menyo Innocent, Phyllis Kyomuhendo and Ivan Nasasira identified a possible solution and began developing the M-SCAN device.

A Solution: The M-SCAN Ultrasound Device

The M-SCAN ultrasound device is a portable, lightweight and energy-efficient ultrasound scanner. The device is not dissimilar from a traditional ultrasound probe. The cable, however, facilitates connection to a laptop, tablet or smartphone, compared to the bulky ultrasound machines traditionally used. The device is therefore affordable and is being targeted at low- and middle-income countries. The portative qualities of the device mean it has real-time easy application across a range of specialties and locations. It is accessible in urgent situations, as well as easily shared between multiple patients at any one time.

It stores ultrasound images directly to the device it is connected to (laptop, tablet, mobile). Images are easily visualized and can continue to be visualized and even shared after the M-SCAN ultrasound is finished. The device can work for an entire day when connected to a fully charged laptop, and the laptop will not need to be charged during this time either.

The Impact: The Use of M-SCAN Across Uganda

M-SCAN ultrasound devices are currently being used in five medical clinics in Uganda, reaching more than 300 pregnant women. The portability of the device means that M-SCAN sonographers can even scan mothers in their own homes or community clinics. This saves mothers from journeys that may be costly, time-consuming, or otherwise challenging, particularly while pregnant.

The Future: Using M-SCAN Across Africa

Moving forward, M-SCAN plans to train frontline health care workers in the skills necessary for basic obstetric ultrasound. This is in an effort to establish the M-SCAN ultrasound device as an effective tool for obstetric care across all of rural East Arica.

The M-SCAN device provides an effective solution to the lack of access to ultrasound scans in rural Uganda. With time, the success of the device in reducing maternal mortality in Uganda may be replicated across many low-resource settings in Africa.

– Jess Steward
Photo: Flickr

Using UV Light Treatment for Neonatal Jaundice in Low-Resource Settings

 

Neonatal JaundiceNeonatal Jaundice is a common problem in newborns and it can have life-threatening complications. Traditional treatment is difficult in low-resource settings, as it requires access to a stable source of electrical power for prolonged periods.

What Is Neonatal Jaundice and How Is It Treated?

A build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice. The liver is responsible for removing bilirubin from the body. However, newborn babies’ livers are not yet fully developed. Unfortunately, high levels of bilirubin in the blood can be toxic to the brain, thereby necessitating treatment. Every year, approximately 6 million babies do not receive jaundice treatment.

One of the main forms of neonatal jaundice treatment is phototherapy. In this procedure, babies undergo UV light exposure. They are placed into a crib-like piece of equipment that shines UV light onto the skin for around 48 hours. This results in the conversion of toxic bilirubin into a safer form that is not harmful to the brain and can be easily excreted in the urine.

What Is the Global Context of Neonatal Jaundice?

A study from 2010 by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group reported that neonatal jaundice was responsible for a mortality rate of 119 per 100,000 live births in Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In comparison, the mortality rate in high-income countries is around one per 100,000. The study also found the complication of brain toxicity to be prevalent in 73 per 100,000 live births in the aforementioned regions. In high-come countries, the prevalence rate is 10 per 100,000.

Standard commercial phototherapy machines cost around $3,000 and require a constant supply of electricity. As things stand, heavy power usage is a major concern for hospitals in low-income and middle-income countries. Not only is the demand for power costly, but there is also no guarantee of access due to unreliable power supply in these settings. For this reason, the use of traditional phototherapy machines is challenging in low-resource settings.

The Bili-Hut

Dr. Donna Brezinski developed an innovative solution known as the Bili-Hut. It is a portable, battery-operated device that only costs $400 per unit. The design utilizes LED lights that can run on a 12-volt car battery for up to a month. Additionally, it has a lower upfront cost and can run independently, with no need for connecting to a hospital’s power supply source.

The Bili-Hut forms part of a kit, which also includes a “Bili-ruler” and a “Bilistick”. The former measures the degree of jaundice while the latter measures jaundice concentration in a newborn’s blood.

Crib’A’Glow

Virtue Oboro identified the need for more effective phototherapy treatment in Nigeria when her son experienced a delay in receiving treatment due to a lack of phototherapy units. She developed the Crib’A’Glow, a phototherapy unit that runs on renewable energy using a solar panel, a battery and a charge controller. The solar panel powers LED lights in the crib to provide a fully functioning phototherapy unit. It can function in low-resource settings and only costs around $300-$550.

Using solar power is an innovative solution. Apart from minimizing the running cost of the unit, it also ensures the unreliable power supply in Nigeria has no impact on the service process.

Virtue’s solution has helped to treat more than 1250 babies across Nigeria since 2016. Additionally, the Champions of Science Africa Innovation Challenge 2.0 provided additional funding for the project in 2019, with the hopes of reaching 1 million babies.

With the help of innovators like Virtue and Dr. Brezinski, there is hope for overcoming the challenges of delivering phototherapy in low-resource settings.

– Jess Steward
Photo: Flickr

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Rare Diseases in Latin America

Rare Diseases in Latin AmericaAround 75% of rare diseases remain undiagnosed in Latin America. The region’s limited diagnosis of rare diseases largely stems from a lack of research, low medical practice registration and inadequate infant screening. There is also a connection between poverty and rare disease diagnosis in the region. Upper-middle-class citizens in Latin America have better access to quality health care and possess the financial capacity to consult numerous doctors and pay for treatments. On the other hand, a significant portion of Latin America’s population lives in poverty. Due to this high rate of poverty and expensive health care costs, rare diseases in Latin America often remain untreated and undiagnosed.

Acknowledgment of Rare Diseases

The EU reports that rare diseases impact one in 2,000 individuals or fewer. Rare diseases affect around 350 million people across the globe, with rare diseases in Latin America accounting for approximately 50 million cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 7,000 rare diseases, including Aarskog syndrome, Balo disease and Canavan disease.

Latin American countries, such as Venezuela and Cuba, have no legislation in place to prioritize research, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases, according to the Wilson Center in 2022. Peru has basic rare disease legislation in place but only implemented it in 2011. In comparison, the U.S. passed its first rare disease legislation, the Orphan Drug Act, 28 years before in 1983.

The Impact of Poverty on Rare Disease Diagnosis

Rare diseases like trichuriasis and ancylostomiasis (hookworm infection) are prevalent in Latin America and mostly affect poor and rural areas. However, according to the Pan American Health Organization, in 2017, about 30% of people in the Americas could not access health care services due to economic constraints. As such, many rare diseases either remain untreated or result in financially crippling patient costs.

Many of Latin America’s governments often cannot afford to bear the cost of the drugs required to treat rare diseases. Without right-to-health litigation, legality that ensures governments sustain medical costs, impoverished persons suffer the complications and impacts of rare diseases in Latin America.

The 2022 Social Panorama of Latin America and the Caribbean concluded that around 201 million people in the region live in poverty and 82 million people experience extreme poverty. Therefore, almost a third of the population lives in a degree of poverty that restricts them from accessing medical provisions.

The Persons Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD) Resolution

In December 2021, the U.N. adopted the first-ever U.N. Resolution on “Addressing the Challenges of Persons Living with a Rare Disease and their Families.” The Resolution pledges to acknowledge and “protect the human rights of all persons, including the estimated 300 million persons living with a rare disease worldwide.” The U.N. aims to draw attention to rare diseases by urging U.N. member states to improve their health care systems and provide services that are non-discriminatory and accessible to all income groups.

The U.N.’s 193 Member States embraced the PLWRD Resolution and Brazil stood as one of three countries originally advocating for the text. Brazil’s support of the agenda suggests recognition of the need to improve the treatment of rare diseases in Latin America. The U.N. hopes for the PLWRD agenda to be in full effect by no later than 2030 with the help of NGOs such as Rare Diseases International (RDI) and EURORDIS (Rare Diseases Europe).

Pharmaceutical Partnerships in Latin America

Pharmaceutical companies in Latin America are working together to improve access to life-saving treatments. HRA Pharma Rare Diseases and Celnova Pharma partnered in 2023 to increase the supply of medical drugs in Latin America. According to GlobalData’s drugs database, “only 5% of the globally marketed rare disease drugs are accessible in South and Central America.”

HRA RD and Celnova Pharma’s partnership will increase the availability of Metopirone and Lysodren to rare disease patients in Argentina, Chile and Peru. Metopirone treats Cushing’s syndrome and Lysoden treats adrenal cortical carcinoma, (ACC) both of which are rare diseases. In 2023, Argentina announced a 29.1% increase in government health spending, which will aid the dispersal of these drugs. An increased health budget allows for treatment subsidization and will help to provide medical care for Argentinians living in poverty.

Looking Ahead

Latin America’s struggle with rare disease diagnosis is systematic, and finding and implementing the appropriate solutions to this issue could take a while. However, pharmaceutical companies, the U.N. and NGOs are all working toward improving health care ethics and the treatment of rare diseases in Latin America and the world at large.

– Jennifer Preece
Photo: Flickr

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Polio Outbreak in Burundi

Polio Outbreak in BurundiHealth authorities declared a polio outbreak in Burundi after confirming three cases and finding the virus after wastewater surveillance in the country. After three decades of no documented cases, in the Isale district in western Burundi, a four-year-old boy and two children he was in contact with tested positive for poliovirus type 2. In places where poverty rates are high, polio tends to spread easily due to sanitary water scarcity and limited access to health care. Unfortunately, those with polio frequently find themselves in a vicious cycle of poverty with no social or financial support. With the most recent statistics showing Burundi having a poverty rate greater than 65%, the polio outbreak in Burundi presents major concerns.

Public Health Emergency

The polio outbreak in Burundi constitutes a national health emergency, as poliovirus is extremely contagious. Since its first detection, health authorities have also confirmed five environmental samples of poliovirus type 2 in the wastewater.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, praises Burundi health authorities’ fast virus detection in a WHO press release. “The detection of the circulating poliovirus type 2 shows the effectiveness of the country’s disease surveillance. Polio is highly infectious and timely action is critical in protecting children through effective vaccination,” said Dr. Moeti.

How It Started

Poliovirus is transmitted through contaminated water and food. The virus lives in a person’s throat and intestines and spreads through fecal contamination. Early detection of cases is imperative to prevent the viral disease from spreading, as it is extremely contagious.

There are three types of wild poliovirus (WPV): types 1, 2 and 3. The symptoms of poliovirus often look similar to the flu and usually, last two to five days, though symptoms can be worse. Paralysis is associated with the most severe cases.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and echoed in the WHO’s press release, the cases detected from the polio outbreak in Burundi are “circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).”

The GPEI explains cVDPVs as variants of the poliovirus that can occur as a result of low vaccination rates among children. GPEI informs that areas with poor sanitation and low immunization rates can develop cVDPVs.

According to GPEI, the prevention of cVDPVs outbreaks is possible through immunization campaigns and the immunization of all eligible children. Previous efficient vaccination campaigns have alleviated the outbreak. The GPEI states “the vaccine continues to be a safe, effective tool for outbreak response across the continent.”

Addressing the Outbreak

Since the Burundian government declared a state of public health emergency on March 17, they’re aiming to provide and administer vaccines to as many children under age seven as possible. The vaccine campaign is a necessary step in stopping the outbreak.

According to the CDC, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) prevent poliovirus infections. OPV contains a weakened version of one of the three types of poliovirus: IPV protects against all three poliovirus types, and contains no live virus.

Both the WHO and GPEI are assisting the Burundi health authorities in contact tracing and risk assessment to prevent a further outbreak in Burundi and nearby nations. Early detection of the virus is essential in containing the illness before it can spread. Burundi health authorities’ quick detection of the outbreak allowed the WHO and GPEI to begin contact tracing and rolling out vaccines efficiently. This efficiency since its first detection means that Burundi, the WHO and GPEI are in a great position to address the outbreak before it worsens.

Curbing the outbreak of polio before it spreads could save the lives of countless people in the country. And with the help of vaccines and other organizations intent on mitigating polio’s effects, those experiencing poverty in Burundi can look to the future with hope.

– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr

Tackling Mental Health In Singapore

Mental Health In SingaporeDespite its burgeoning tourist economy and its perception of glamour, wealth and abundance, Singapore is known for having one of the worst mental health epidemics in Southeast Asia. From an overall displeased labor force to a rising suicide rate, it is clear that external factors like the COVID-19 virus and culture have had a large impact on mental health in Singapore. Today, one of the largest cited contributors to mental health globally is an over-reliance on social media. While social media can be a positive space to share mental health challenges, it can also lead to feelings of shame and low self-esteem, which can result in poor educational and academic attainment. Social media can play a unique role in the link between mental health and poverty in Singapore.

Social Media and Mental Health

The correlation between social media usage and poor mental health predictors traditionally found general agreement in the idea that too much social media could lead to anxiety and/or depression. However, recent research from Harvard University indicates that our collective perception of social media as “all bad” may be false. Rather, the study argues that it has to do more with how you use social media and the way you perceive your interactions on and off the platforms. While many have commented on the widespread de-stigmatization of mental health issues as real and equally as important and valid as physical health issues, the Asian stereotype of mental health issues as unimportant or irrelevant still poses a problem for this new generation of Singaporeans.

Singapore and Mental Health

In 2020, “‘The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a suicide prevention organization, received over 39,000 calls for help – an 18% increase from the year before.” This indicates a rising need for mental health support in Singapore as a result of concerted efforts to isolate during the pandemic. In addition, The Straits Times reported in a 2021 article that seven out of 10 mental health organizations experienced a 20-60% increase in queries and mental health crises due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s more, Singapore’s labor force is exhausted. In a study for Milieu Insight, in partnership with Intellect, they found that though Singaporeans tend to work less, they also report the lowest levels of engagement and job satisfaction than their regional counterparts. Beyond engagement and job satisfaction, Singaporeans also rank the highest for negative reports on the average quality of sleep and overall enjoyment of life.

Many of these issues have contributed significantly to the persistent wage gap in Singapore, as they arise before an individual has the chance to establish themselves academically or in a vocation. In Singapore, many of those who suffer from mental illness do not have mental health care from the insurance plan Medishield, and “rely solely on Medifund (a default support mechanism).” Unfortunately, Medifund does not receive adequate funding from taxpayers who are fearful of those with mental illness. Facing discrimination and limited access to health care, those with mental health issues and low income exist in a situation that perpetuates. Additionally, those who suffer from mental health issues can quickly devolve into poverty without adequate support and/or funding.

Singapore Wellness Hub

To combat this, TikTok launched a new Singapore Wellness Hub in honor of World Mental Health Month, which aims to combat anxiety and uncertainty through education and action-oriented solutions. In essence, its focus is on creating safe spaces that allow for community building and the sharing of personal experiences. Launched in October 2021, the platform offers three distinct offerings. Under its ‘Wellness Matters’ section, users can access techniques grounded in positive psychology principles, like breathing or body awareness exercises, relaxation techniques and tips for visualizing safe spaces. Under its ‘Stories’ section, users have the opportunity to share their experiences through the platform’s short-form video capability.

Lastly, under the app’s ‘Support Helpline’ section, users can reach out to various nonprofit organizations, and various helplines like SOS that are easily accessible through the hub. Its impact has been huge and many influencers like Skincarebyhyram, Lewis Howes and Dr. Alex George have found their niches within the Wellness space on TikTok as well, making it a great place for users and content creators alike.

Looking Forward

While it may be too soon to determine the effect that TikTok’s new Wellness Hub may have on the status of mental health in Singapore, it is a good first step. As high-traffic platforms like TikTok begin to create spaces on their apps where people find accurate information about mental health and well-being, there exists a collective de-stigmatization of mental health and a fostering of community and belonging. These improve mental health and subsequently lower global poverty rates. Therefore, while there is more work to be done, a coming-together of organizations is a great first step in educating communities where mental health is heavily stigmatized and stereotyped. Addressing the link between mental health and poverty is necessary in combating global poverty rates across the world.

– Julia Shanta
Photo: Flickr

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Countries with blue economy strategies

Blue economyThe “blue economy” is a term that has become increasingly prevalent over the last decade as people, governments and economists have begun to recognize the vast opportunity posed by the ocean and its resources. The World Bank defines the blue economy as the: “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.” 

The blue economy sits at the nexus of people and the environment. Although people have lived in coastal environments and utilized ocean resources for millennia, the blue economy represents a consolidated and conscious sustainable development strategy that aims to incorporate the ocean into all levels of the economy – from local to national.

10 Countries Incorporating the Blue Economy into Their Development Strategies

  1. Kenya: The blue economy is a pillar of Kenya’s “Vision 2030,” the country’s development program. One of the major goals is to develop the country’s offshore tuna fishery, which domestic fishers currently underutilize. Other initiatives include seaweed farming, port developments, shipping and tourism.
  2. Vietnam: In Vietnam, the blue economy is a relatively new concept. However, local initiatives have already begun. For example, the Binh Thuan Fisheries Association has established a community management program to encourage sustainable fishing practices. The program resulted in the restoration of the clam fishery, the main source of income for the local community, in less than a year. The new fishing practices which the program brought resulted in the income of local fishers increasing from $15 to $25 per day.
  3. Samoa: Released in 2020, the Samoa Ocean Strategy is a national policy framework seeking to further develop the country’s blue economy. It includes a commitment to protect 30% of the country’s ocean by 2025 as well as support for marine spatial planning and sustainable fisheries.
  4. India: With a coastline of over 7,500 kilometers, the blue economy is developing into a significant industry in India. One notable initiative is recent expeditions into the deep sea to explore potential living and nonliving deep-ocean resources.
  5. China: China was an early and active adopter of the blue economy concept. One example of a small-scale blue economy initiative in China is the restoration of seagrass beds in the traditional fishing village of Chudao to support sea cucumber aquaculture, according to a 2020 article.
  6. Trinidad and Tobago: This Caribbean nation is part of a larger region-wide focus on developing a sustainable blue economy. Strategies are very new in this region, but a number of opportunities are there and the nation is emphasizing the establishment of cross-sector policies and strong institutional regulation.
  7. Tunisia: The Tunisian government has recently begun to develop a national strategy. The country is still in the early stages of implementation but has significant incentives considering that over 66% of its population lives on the coast and depends on marine resources for their livelihoods.
  8. Gambia: Gambia has recently adopted a 10-year plan to support sustainable growth and female employment in its significant mangrove oyster fishery sector. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the EU are implementing the program.
  9. Portugal: The Portuguese government has been actively trying to enhance its blue economy since 2015. The country has recently received €392.6 million from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to support further implementation of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
  10. Costa Rica: The coastal country of Costa Rica is rich in marine resources and economic opportunities, with projects involving sustainable fisheries and marine tourism emerging. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provided funding to a number of Central American countries including Costa Rica to support the development of blue economies in these countries.

Realizing the Potential

These 10 countries provide only a tiny cross-section of the blue economy landscape emerging across the world. Countries are realizing the ocean’s potential to alleviate coastal poverty and lift overall economic performance. Strategies already in place and being developed will help pave the way to better global ocean management with benefits for both people and the environment.

– Amy McAlpine
Photo: Flickr

Fetal Monitoring Prevents Neonatal Deaths in Developing Countries

Fetal MonitoringThe appeal of artificial intelligence has skyrocketed in recent years – with its impressive ability to mimic human intelligence and grow smarter with each interaction.

AI has seen a particular rise in the technology sector with Elon Musk’s self driving Tesla vehicles and programs such as ChatGPT, which boasts its conversations can sound human-like.

Now, with the help of PeriGen, Inc, Baylor College of Medicine and the Area 25 Community Hospital, artificial intelligence has developed a new skill: saving lives with AI-powered fetal monitoring.

Malawians Need Change in Prenatal Health Care

One in every 200 Malawian women dies when delivering a baby, and 2-6% of babies die during delivery both inside and outside of the womb. This is said to be due to a low nurse-to-patient ratio, with midwives struggling to continuously monitor babies within the womb and manage full labor wards.

The nurse-to-patient ratio within Malawi was, as of 2015, just one third of the WHO’s recommended 10 nurses for every 10,000 people. In the same 2015 study, Malawian nurses cited a lack of resources and high workloads as a challenge.

Malawi and other developing countries often do not have access to scanning technology and rely on physical methods of monitoring development, such as physical examination. This can sometimes give incorrect measurements. If these measurements are incorrect and a baby is not developing correctly, this increases the risk of stillbirth or neonatal death.

With the help of AI, however, these struggles may become a thing of the past.

Fetal Monitoring Results in Decreased Stillbirths

PeriGen’s fetal monitoring software continuously scans vitals and notifies clinicians immediately if there is any change in the patterns. This allows for timely treatment. In addition to giving details on labor progression, it monitors vitals for both mother and child.

The software tracks hundreds of patients at a time, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Currently in place in the Area 25 Community Hospital in Malawi, the monitoring works by capturing patient data at the bedside, and then transmitting this data to PeriGen’s Houston headquarters. There, it is assessed before being transferred back to Malawi in an instant. PeriGen’s software allows for care to extend across many hospital sites at once, and reaches many patients.

Results of the software appear promising. Head nurse at the hospital, Dziwenji Makombe, says that the AI monitoring tool is “the best … strategy” to prevent stillbirths. The hospital saw a 75% reduction in stillbirths and early neonatal deaths.

There is hope that this software can be used across other developing countries with similarly promising results. Not only will this fetal monitoring tool reduce neonatal deaths, but it will help to decrease poverty.

When people live in areas where child mortality rates are low and the child can survive, they have fewer children. Less overpopulation means less poverty.

If this software continues to be effective, it will become a beacon of hope to other developing countries besides Malawi. It can save the lives of newborn children and expectant mothers residing there.

– Chloe Jenkins
Photo: Flickr

Law and Fragility in Yemen

Law and Fragility in YemenYemen became a fully unified modern state in 1990, and like much of the Middle East, it has faced occupations in various capacities by foreign entities, from the Ottomans to the Egyptians. When Yemen fell into chaos and civil war in 2014, law and fragility in the country became the sole focus.

Explaining the Civil War

The civil war, which is still ongoing, reflects years of religious insurgency, revolution and divide between the north and south of the country. Houthi Rebels took over the capital city of Sanaa in 2014 in the north and have been driving into southern provinces since 2015, with support from the Iranian Government. Although there has been no direct Iranian intervention, Tehran has been able to extend its influence within Yemen as a result of the civil war, leading to the international community seeing the conflict as a microcosm of Saudi-Iranian tension. In response to the usurpation of then-Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in 2015, a Saudi-led international coalition launched military operations in order to restore the Yemeni government, utilizing air strikes in the country’s northern territories.

Collateral Damage

From this period onwards life for Yemeni civilians hangs in the balance. Sieges and blockades from both sides of the war have resulted in mass loss of life, as territory and victory have trumped local communities, families and children. Yet this story which began in 2014 and is without end even today, has not rang loud enough in the international community: The civil war in Yemen still bears the name “The Forgotten War.”

U.N. estimates have calculated over 130,000 deaths as a result of shortages of food, health services and a lack of authority and law in the country, all the indirect causes of war. UNFPA has labeled this civilian struggle as “one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises,” yet it seems that NGOs have little effect on the ongoing situation. Sky’s Alex Crawford reported on the law and fragility in Yemen, showing civilians having to sell foreign aid goods to starving crowds, none of which can afford the illegally enforced prices.

Progress

In April 2022 the U.N. brokered a truce which allowed fuel imports into Houthi-held areas as well as the re-opening of some commercial flights from the capital’s airport. However, by October Houthi representatives refused U.N. proposals to extend the truce and march further towards more concrete peace talks.

With more than 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and millions of civilians displaced, things were -and are still- looking bleak. Law and fragility remain the key concern of international cohorts. Yet there are people on the ground addressing poverty-stricken communities in Yemen, with national charities taking the initiative to provide necessary funds to lift people’s living conditions.

In January 2023, Qatar Charity announced its plans to donate rapid financial assistance to vulnerable households in Yemen. Qatar Charity will provide the International Organization for Migration with $500,000 to help more than 10,000 poverty-stricken Yemenis.

Furthermore, there may be promising diplomatic events unfolding: In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen their respective embassies within two months and re-establish diplomatic relations. This is good news. It remains to be seen how good, yet there is unquestionably renewed momentum on both sides, as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, told at the U.N. Security Council Meeting: “We are currently witnessing renewed regional diplomatic momentum, as well as a step change in the scope and depth of the discussions.” Economic decline drives humanitarian disaster, if the renewed Saudi-Iranian detente can produce anything resembling peace, if talks between Saudis and Houthis could take place, then Yemen’s economy may react positively, allowing for NGOs like the U.N to operate safely and help Yemen’s poor, driving the change that the country so desperately needs.

The Future

The Yemeni Civil War has largely been neglected by the international community, blocking off NGOs’ routes to the country’s poor. The civil war is largely man-made, meaning the international community could do more to tackle poverty and food insecurity. The renewal of Iran-Saudi relations marks a decisive step in the restoration of law, as well as progress in tackling economic and political fragility in Yemen. Islamic Relief provides food aid to 2 million Yemenis a month, progress in Iran-Saudi relations will only boost the efficacy of organizations such as this.

– George Somper
Photo: Flickr

Health Care in Sri Lanka Calls on International Aid

Health Care in Sri LankaOnce a role model for health and development, Sri Lanka faces an escalating health crisis. The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has forced the health sector to decline, causing millions of people who rely on the free health care system to face loss of access to quality health care.

Sri Lanka imports 85% of its medical supplies. With the foreign currency reserves running low, essentials are becoming hard to obtain.

As the health care system is “nearing collapse,” patients are at risk due to shortages in equipment, medication and power. The United Nations News gave readers a first-hand experience from Ruchika, a pregnant Sri Lankan who has to scavenge for essentials. In her story, she explains what it is like to try to obtain fuel for a trip to the hospital and the possibility of her having to search for supplies to have a safe birth.

Exacerbating Health Crisis in Sri Lanka

The health crisis in Sri Lanka is draining doctors, leaving them to prepare for the worst. Without international help, they fear a health catastrophe is approaching soon.

The largest doctor’s union on the island, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), calls on international outlets to donate supplies and places the blame for the health crisis in Sri Lanka on poor economic and financial management. The GMOA published a list of items the country’s health sector desperately needed, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, paracetamol and blood pressure medicine.

As supply numbers drop, medical staff in Sri Lanka are involuntarily suspending non-essential procedures. Low supplies force medical staff to reuse and ration equipment, which can raise sanitary concerns, placing many at risk.

Response to the Crisis

This health crisis in Sri Lanka has forced tens of thousands to protest as food and fuel prices skyrocket. Doctors, nurses and medical students are joining in these demonstrations as they are also frustrated with the government stating that they can’t speak openly to the media about the situation.

To respond to the escalating health crisis in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working to help the health care system. The WHO supports the delivery of essentials to “sustain the availability of critical lifesaving medical care for all.” This support is accomplished through financial assistance and donations of medications and supplies worth $7.1 million in 2022. The organization also provided an additional $1.5 million with assistance from the U.S. Department of State. The funding helps strengthen the Sri Lankan health care system.

Sri Lanka still faces a pressing demand to import essential medicine and supplies as well as help from partners.

Sri Lanka has a long way to go before it can reobtain its title as a role model for health and development. However, it is possible if international aid continues to help.

– Brianna Green
Photo: Flickr