Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Trial Ebola Vaccines Arrive in Uganda

Trial Ebola Vaccines
On December 8, 2022, a shipment of trial Ebola vaccines reached Uganda, the first of its kind, that will undergo further evaluation in a clinical trial to determine efficacy against the Sudan ebolavirus. The arrival of these 1,200 doses of trial vaccines comes only 79 days after Uganda announced an Ebola outbreak on September 20, 2022. The speed of this response is unprecedented.

Background

Preceding the arrival of the trial Ebola vaccines in Uganda, the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an Ebola outbreak in Uganda on September 20, 2022, after confirming a lethal case of Ebola in Mubende District due to the Sudan ebolavirus.

As the outbreak continued, authorities placed lockdowns in certain districts in Uganda. Additionally, authorities restricted travel and ended school terms earlier. These measures seem to have been largely effective: since November 27, Uganda reported no new cases.

Health in Uganda

As a low-income country, the threat that Ebola outbreaks pose is severe. In 2019, the GDP of Uganda stood at $35.35 billion, with 3.83% of the GDP going toward health expenditure.

According to WHO data from 2018, Uganda faces challenges to its health situation as a result of high rates of communicable diseases. Additionally, “malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB and respiratory, diarrhoeal, epidemic-prone and vaccine-preventable diseases are the leading causes of illness and death,” the WHO reported. These diseases are responsible for more than half of the nation’s morbidity and mortality statistics.

The health care conditions and the availability of medical care vary widely depending on the area. More specifically, rural and remote areas face a shortage of supplies and a lack of human resources, resulting in less patient care, poor health information, limited access to health services and the inappropriate usage of medications.

Current Situation

There are no vaccines available to protect against the strain of Ebola responsible for the outbreak in Uganda, the Sudan ebolavirus species, which is why the trial is necessary. WHO has noted that the arrival of trial Ebola vaccines in Uganda in less than 100 days since the initial outbreak is a “historical milestone in the global capacity to respond to outbreaks.”

The organization went on to emphasize how this vaccine’s fast availability is the result of many international organizations and researchers collaborating and working together. It also comes as a direct result of investments from countries such as the United States to allow WHO to coordinate and focus work on priority health concerns, like Ebola.

Potential Global Impact

The arrival of the trial Ebola vaccines in Uganda offers a promising global impact. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, noted in a statement to WHO, “[The trial] showcases the power of scientific research on our continent and how working in collaboration with international partners we can develop critical tools that will limit the lethal effects of Ebola.” The speed and collaboration that brought about the trial of Ebola vaccines may help combat other diseases and global health concerns in the future.

Impact for Uganda

Once trials reach completion and a vaccine proves effective against the Sudan ebolavirus, this will have a direct impact on the country’s population. Uganda has seen Ebola outbreaks due to the Sudan ebolavirus in nine different districts of Uganda, with 142 confirmed cases by December 5, 2022. From these confirmed cases, Ugandan authorities noted 55 deaths.

Outbreak control for this virus requires several different interventions, including case identification, contact tracing, sufficient laboratory capacity, safe burials, proper hygiene and sufficient treatment early on. As Uganda is a low-income country, recently impacted by food insecurity, severe weather and the COVID-19 pandemic, disease outbreaks can be devastating. Thus, a vaccine to prevent further outbreaks will significantly assist Uganda.

Moving Forward

Ultimately, the arrival of trial Ebola vaccines to combat the Sudan ebolavirus in Uganda shows that through collaboration it is possible to create countermeasures against serious viruses in a minimal amount of time. For the country of Uganda, it is a message of hope and assurance that the international community is capable and prepared to work together and build solutions for further Ebola outbreaks that may arise.

– Johanna Bunn
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Serbian Job Market: The Growing Tech Sector

Serbian Job Market
In the ever-growing technology market, Serbia is determined not to be left behind. With huge investments in information and communication technologies and the support of startups and software education, the Serbian job market is on track to experience significant growth, specifically in the tech sector.

The Growth of the ICT Sector

In 2012, according to The World Bank, Serbia reported a 24% unemployment rate. Just 10 years later, this statistic dropped 14.8%– a 9.2% unemployment rate reported in Q2 of 2022, and the Serbian export of information and communications tech (ICT) definitely played a role. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), Serbia generates as much as 10% of its GDP from its ICT sector. More than 3,300 ICT businesses employ almost 50,000 Serbs, and although that is just a small percent of the Serbian population of almost 6.9 million, it is evident that the Serbian economy is growing to rely more on ICT. That should ensure growth in the Serbian job market. Serbian tech companies produce software for everything from medicine to agriculture, games and testing. They run call centers and customer service centers.

Demand for More Skilled Workers

To meet the increasing demand for ICT exports, however, Serbia needs at least 15,000 more engineers in the tech sector. That is why the Serbian government invested 70 million euros in technical infrastructure, supporting start-ups and mandating software programming classes in elementary schools. This is particularly important because Serbia’s youth unemployment is 40%, and often young people will leave a country if they cannot find jobs there.

Importantly, Serbia and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are turning to the youth and aspiring entrepreneurs, with projects like Impact Hub Belgrade, Junior Achievement and ICT Hub Venture.

Impact Hub Belgrade

Impact Hub Belgrade (IHB), launched with a USAID grant, provides young aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, support and skills to brainstorm products, develop business models and network with regional and international investors. It is part of a global network that has branches in 49 countries. It provides a co-working space for project collaboration and sharing of practice and knowledge. In December 2022, for example, it sponsored a Western Balkan Winter Demo Day to help young entrepreneurs assess if they were investment ready.

Junior Achievement Serbia

Junior Achievement Serbia (JAS), another program that USAID funded, aims to advance entrepreneurship through a training curriculum, which effectively equips high schoolers with essential business skills– from communication and problem-solving to specifics on how to set up a business and predict earnings. JAS is part of Junior Achievement Worldwide, a global network in 121 countries. JAS launched in 2005 and by 2021 had served more than 60,000 students in 286 schools.

While the Junior Achievement (JA) program has numerous success stories across Europe, its presence in Serbia has been “among the strongest.” In fact, JA’s 2018 Belgrade team, Groove Street, designed and coded wristbands containing the medical information of the individual wearing it. Thanks to the JA curriculum, guidance and support, these students invented a life-saving device while also gaining real-life business experience.

ICT Hub Venture

While both IHB and JAS specifically focus on providing Serbian youth with the skills they need to succeed in the growing tech sector, other projects aim to support aspiring entrepreneurs of any age.

ICT Hub Venture, another partner project of USAID, equips young businesses with developmental assistance, mentoring and networking opportunities. Established in 2014 as ICT Hub, in 2017 the project became an investment fund in Belgrade, dedicated to supporting information and communication tech startups. ICT Hub Venture provides its partners with financing, guidance, support and education, in exchange for a 5 to 15% share in the company. As of 2022, ICT Hub Venture fully funds nine startups.

Milan Brindič, a co-creator of Bincode Entertainment, a software company specializing in game development and mobile software, says that ICT Hub has been “very useful,” and through its support, has become “like family.” Brindič also said ICT Hub provided his company a space to work and networking opportunities, both of which are critical to a startup’s success.

Looking Forward

With numerous success stories, Impact Hub Belgrade, Junior Achievement Serbia and ICT Hub Venture are innovatively helping to broaden the Serbian job market and tech sector by supporting and investing in the future. The ITA estimates more than 20% per year growth in the Serbian tech sector, with opportunities continuing to grow in sub-sectors such as cybersecurity, gaming, and e-government. Through programs like Impact Hub Belgrade, Junior Achievements, and ICT Hub Venture, Serbia is not only gearing up to meet the growing demand of skilled workers, but equipping its aspiring entrepreneurs with the support, funding, and necessary skills to thrive in a growing job market.

– Micaella Balderrama
Photo: Flickr

,

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Malawi

Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Malawi
The COVID-19 pandemic displayed a significant impact on the world’s economic situation and presented numerous challenges for several countries. One such country is Malawi, located in the Southern part of Africa. In 2020, Malawi stood at 174 from a sum of 189 countries on the Human Development Index. This article delves deeper into the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malawi in terms of economic activity, education and food security.

Economy

In response to the pandemic, several governments around the world adopted restriction measures on imports and exports. Such safety measures displayed numerous ramifications on Malawi’s economy. This is especially since it heavily relies on imports pertinent to energy, agriculture and health among others. For instance, 80% of the overall population is employed by the agricultural sector, which also accounts for 30% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Scarce availability of such rudimentary resources caused the cost of living to increase, and in 2020, 17% of the general public lived below the poverty line. One can attribute such a decline in Malawi’s economic activity to heightened government spending during the pandemic, which accounted for $345 million. In 2020, the fiscal deficit stood at 7.7%, and economic growth declined to 1.7% compared to 5.7% in 2019.

To help curb the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Malawi, the country’s government launched cash aid for affected households and small-sized business entities. The cash aid encapsulates aiding around 1 million eligible households and businesses with $40 monthly payments, equivalent to 35,000 Malawi Kwacha.

Education

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries to shift from traditional to virtual education. This shift placed much emphasis on access to technological facilities among pupils. Increased poverty rates in Malawi, impeded learners’ ability to access online education due to limited internet facilities. According to UNICEF, COVID-19 caused students’ performance to plummet across the country. As a result, the Malawi government contracted with Telecom Network Malawi (TNM). TLM is an internet company, which, as part of the agreement, provided free unlimited internet packages to students. This agreement enabled learners across all different levels to obtain equal access to online education, especially since COVID-19 halted the education for 5.4 million students from both schools and universities.

Food Security

The impact of COVID-19 economic growth and poverty in Malawi yielded devastating results for the overall population. The outbreak of COVID-19 contributed to widespread disproportionate food insecurity. One can primarily attribute challenges relevant to nutritional support to rising poverty and declining agricultural productivity. To mitigate against food insecurity, UNICEF for instance, supported the government of Malawi in the delivery of adequate nutritional support. Other efforts to curtail hunger include World Food Programme assistance (WFP). Through funding via USAID, WFP provides financial and nutritional support to 382,000 food-deprived Malawians. Efforts such as those, assist the Malawian people to recover and survive in the midst of a food crisis, as well as allow the general public to lead healthy and sustainable lives.

The emergence of the pandemic on the global level, contributed to increased poverty and unemployment rates, alongside a declining economy. Measures and initiatives such as those that the WFP and government implemented enable the nation to undergrow economic recovery, as well as improve the living conditions across the country.

– Lisa Dzuwa
Photo: Unsplash
,

What to Know About Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers schistosomiasis “a disease of poverty.” Schistosomiasis is categorized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD) as it primarily affects tropical locations “where people do not have access to clean water or safe ways to dispose of human waste.” Schistosomiasis is “highly endemic” in Tanzania — it has the second highest number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa behind Nigeria. As a result, efforts are underway to help counter the spread of this disease.

The Background

Schistosomiasis, more commonly known as bilharzia, is an infectious disease that affects around 240 million individuals globally, according to WHO. After malaria, bilharzia is the second most devastating illness that parasites cause, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. WHO says “infection is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical areas, in poor communities without potable water and adequate sanitation.”

A person can become infected when the skin comes into contact with freshwater contaminated with Schistosoma parasites. More significant signs of infection, such as fever and muscle aches, begin within one or two months. “Symptoms of schistosomiasis are caused by the body’s reaction to the eggs produced by worms, not by the worms themselves,” the CDC says. This immune reaction can cause damage to the organs and bring about other health issues.

There are two main forms of the disease: intestinal and urogenital. Children who become infected with these parasites several times “can develop anemia, malnutrition and learning difficulties.” Furthermore, “after years of infection, the parasite can also damage the liver, intestine, lungs and bladder,” according to the CDC.

Chronic schistosomiasis arises when the parasites remain in the body for a long time and the body produces immune responses against the parasitic eggs once they reach body tissue. Cases of chronic schistosomiasis in Tanzania are common and may limit people’s capacity to work.

Past and Current Epidemiology

During the 70s and 80s, Tanzania noted a pressing need to build new irrigation systems and dams to provide clean water for the growing population. However, these innovations had a negative effect on the expansion of the disease since schistosome parasites that live inside snails grow optimally in fresh water. Furthermore, the prevalence of the disease seems to rise as the country’s population size expands. In Tanzania, in 1977, the prevalence rate stood at 19% but swelled to 51.5% (more than 23 million people) by 2012. In 2019, around 15 million people in Tanzania required treatment for schistosomiasis in Tanzania.

Efforts to Tackle Schistosomiasis in Tanzania

WHO recommends “large-scale treatment of at-risk population groups, access to safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene education and snail control” to adequately address schistosomiasis. WHO endorsed treatment for the disease involves the administration of an anti-parasite drug known as praziquantel. In Tanzania, praziquantel is distributed on a large scale to schools and communities.

According to WHO, Tanzania received approximately 33 million praziquantel treatments for mass administration from 2009 to 2018, with a focus on school children.

Thanks to the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST) program, which took place from 2011 to 2017, the prevalence of the disease was reduced. Among children aged 9-12, prevalence decreased from 6.1% to 1.7%, while among adults aged 20-55, prevalence decreased from 3.9% to 1.5% by 2017. This successful project, launched by the Zanzibar government, mainly focused on the distribution of praziquantel twice a year, snail control measures and behavioral adjustments among the populace.

However, knowledge about the disease and how to prevent or treat it is integral for reducing future cases. Many people still do not have access to treatment and others prefer not to take the treatment due to a lack of information. This, added to the fact that one can become reinfected, shows why control is difficult. For example, in Mtama, a city that belongs to the Lindi region in Tanzania, the prevalence of the disease is still more than 50%. This is due to a lack of knowledge, interrupted access to praziquantel and unhygienic water practices, among other reasons.

WHO Guideline

In February 2022, WHO released a guideline for the control of schistosomiasis in affected nations. The guideline covers several evidence-based recommendations, including:

  • Snail control measures to decrease transmission risks.
  • Water, sanitation and hygiene efforts in approaches to control the disease.
  • The “expansion of preventive chemotherapy to all in need, including adults and preschool-aged children.”

Schistosomiasis in Tanzania is still a problem that affects a large part of the population, despite the control systems implemented throughout the years. In a country with a population of about 58 million in 2019, 15 million people required treatment for this disease. Implementing comprehensive measures will safeguard the well-being of citizens in an endemic country.

– Carla Tomas
Photo: Flickr

Addressing Mental Health In Nepal

Mental Health In Nepal
Nepal is a country in South Asia with a rich and diverse culture. Most Nepalese people have a perception of the self in which the mind and body are considered to be separate. As a result, they typically attribute mental illness to spiritual dysfunction. People who have mental health problems are also targets of stigma and discrimination. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 million people are estimated to currently have mental health disorders in Nepal.

Mental health is a matter of paramount importance. Poor mental health can lead to serious physical and social problems, which impact a person’s quality of life. Mental health issues are often linked to poverty because they lead to problems with maintaining employment and important social relationships. It is common for people who suffer from untreated mental illness to live financially unstable and precarious lives. According to the 2019 UNICEF multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) in Nepal, more than 17% of Nepalese people were considered multidimensionally poor. In Nepal, there is a lack of resources and support for people with mental health issues, especially those who experience the struggles of living in poverty.

Nepalese Culture and Mental Health

Nepal spends 7.5% of its GDP on health care, which is far below the global average of 10% of a nation’s GDP. It is common for Nepalese people to visit traditional healers in order to address mental health. However, people in Nepal have limited availability and access to traditional healers, especially in rural areas. Traditional healers that Nepalese people typically rely upon do not have the formal training required to properly identify and treat mental illnesses.

As of 2022, there are 0.36 psychiatrists working in the mental health sector per 100,000 people in Nepal, with a majority of professionals concentrated in urban areas. Low economic prioritization of mental health issues within the country contributes to a lack of public awareness regarding mental health. Furthermore, cultural stigmas have contributed to fears of discrimination and rejection from friends, family and community members. As a result, people become hesitant to seek mental health treatments in Nepal.

A Growing Need

From 1996 till 2006, the people of Nepal endured a violent civil war that killed more than 13,000 people and displaced thousands. The country is still recovering from the violent conflict, which has likely contributed to a growing prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders among the Nepalese population. Nepal’s deadly environmental disasters have also affected them. An earthquake in April 2015 killed more than 8,000 people and injured more than 20,000 people.

People that events of this nature affect typically require significant psychological first aid in order to alleviate trauma and other long-term mental health problems associated with emergencies. Survivors of these events usually rely upon international humanitarian NGOs for mental health care and services in large numbers. Nepal’s weak integration of mental health services into primary health care led many Nepalese people to become dependent upon NGOs and international organizations for help in the wake of their suffering and loss.

Advocating for Mental Health

Advocates for mental health in Nepal point to policy change, rehabilitation efforts, and more healthcare infrastructure as solutions for the problems Nepalese people are facing. Nepalese organizations such as KOSHISH are working to promote mental health awareness and psychosocial well-being throughout the country. Established in 2008, the organization is a nonprofit that operates as a national mental health self-help organization and advocacy group. KOSHISH advocates for mental health issues on the national policy level. It aims to promote mental health awareness as well as reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding these issues. The organization provides psychosocial support programs, treatment, and residential care for women who are victims of gender-based abuse.

The momentum behind mental health advocacy is growing globally and spreading to countries like Nepal. In the past, the law in Nepal equated mental illness to madness and provided no legitimate legislation related to the treatment of mentally ill people. Over the past years, Nepal has significantly increased its political commitment to mental health and psychosocial issues. In 2019, the country expanded its national health policy to include a strategy that incorporates mental health services into its healthcare systems. Nepal now considers mental healthcare a basic health service. The growing progress of mental health literacy and awareness within the country will likely lead to more widespread mental health awareness and support for the people who need it.

– Dylan Priday
Photo: Flickr

,

Top 3 Diseases Impacting Burkina Faso

Diseases Impacting Burkina Faso
The World Bank has reported that more than 40% of the people in Burkina Faso live in poverty. In general, developed countries have longer life expectancy rates as these nations have higher standards of living, better access to health care and other resources that influence health. Statistics from 2018 place the life expectancy in Burkina Faso at 60 years. According to data from 2019, the top three diseases impacting Burkina Faso are malaria, lower respiratory infections and neonatal disorders. Malnutrition, air pollution and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities made up the top three risk factors that influenced both death and disability in Burkina Faso in 2019.

Top 3 Diseases Impacting Burkina Faso

  1. Malaria. Malaria, transmitted through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito, is endemic in Burkina Faso — the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Burkina Faso had 12.4 million malaria cases and more than 29,100 malaria-related deaths in 2020 alone. In 2018, according to the Ministry of Health, malaria caused 66% of deaths among children under 5. Burkina Faso forms part of the 10 sub-Saharan African countries with the highest burdens of malaria, the WHO reports.
  2. Lower respiratory infections. These types of infections include pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis. Air pollution, common in developing countries, can contribute to lower respiratory infections and overcrowded environments allow for these diseases to spread faster. Specifically, in 2020, the World Bank reported 46 cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 people in Burkina Faso, down from 70 in 2000.
  3. Neonatal disorders. According to the WHO, most neonatal mortalities occur in developing countries. Furthermore, “neonatal infections are primarily bacterial in origin and include pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.” UNICEF data indicates that the neonatal mortality rate in Burkina Faso in 2020 stood at 26 deaths per 1,000 live births while the infant mortality rate stood at 53.

Other Diseases Impacting Burkina Faso

Another disease impacting Burkina Faso is HIV/AIDS. In 2021, UNAIDS notes 88,000 HIV infections among adults and children in Burkina Faso. In particular, UNAIDS noted 6,100 HIV cases among children between the ages of 0 and 14. Particular groups are most at risk. In 2017, sex workers had an HIV prevalence rate of 5.4% while the prevalence rate for prisoners stood at 2.2% and 1.9% for men who have sex with men.

Initiatives to Reduce the Impact of Diseases in the Country

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has partnered with Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Health since as early as 1991. Initially, the CDC provided support to address polio outbreaks across the nation. The CDC then expanded its efforts to cover other diseases preventable through immunization, such as measles and meningitis. The CDC set up an office in Burkina Faso in 2016, “focused on strengthening the country’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats and to strengthen the country’s capacity in surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce development and emergency management,” a CDC factsheet says.

All in all, the CDC has given 17 million doses of polio vaccines and 2.4 million doses of measles vaccines to children under 5 in Burkina Faso. The CDC has also provided support to immunize more than 12 million Burkinabe people against meningitis. “National diagnostic capacity” across laboratories now allows lab technicians to test for a minimum of 40 pathogens., including “10 priority pathogens.” These priority pathogens include influenza, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV.

The fight against diseases impacting Burkina Faso is one of the country’s priorities. The country has made progress in terms of health, but, continued aid is necessary to further strengthen the healthcare system and implement preventative disease control measures.

– Elena Luisetto
Photo: Flickr

,

GPI and International Cooperation

International Cooperation
The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for a different approach to reorganizing global governance in innovative and unexpected ways. The Global Public Investment (GPI) system is one of them. GPI is a fixed and multidirectional way to address the administration of international fiscal resources. The initiative follows three rules: “All contribute,” “All decide” and “All benefit.” The way GPI might revolutionize international cooperation is through the funding of global public goods and services such as vaccines and social security.

The Background

The proposal started to gain significant recognition as a consequence and response to the devastation that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought upon the world in early 2020. The outbreak has reminded the world’s nations how susceptible they all are on an economic, social and biological level, emphasizing the need for global cooperation. Furthermore, as a reliable example, Europe demonstrated the potential for collaboration over common funds in the future, “through its regional development fund.”

In the lead-up to this moment, GPI’s most significant political push came from leaders in the Global South, outraged by the economic and social inequalities that the pandemic further emphasized.

Latin American countries were among the first to officially consider the implementation of GPI. Then, Africa followed and invited powers in the Western and Eastern world to work together more efficiently to solve challenges impacting the globe.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that COVID-19 led to the loss of $28 trillion in output and $17 trillion in response to the pandemic. Additionally, COVID-19 highlighted global disparities such as the underfunding of some health systems around the world.

An early 2022 press release from the U.N. Secretary-General said: “As we enter a new decade, we are finally bringing international public finance into the 21st century. No more “us and them”. Now it’s just “us.””

How GPI Works

The way GPI might revolutionize international cooperation has roots in its inner mechanism. The new system includes three pillars:

1. Universal Contributions: Instead of how donor countries give money to recipient ones, GPI is an “all-contributor approach to international public finance.”

2. Ongoing Commitments: GPI defies the assumption that countries are expected to “graduate after achieving a relatively low level of per capita income,” favoring a longer-term approach.

3. Representative Control: GPI asks for a more “democratic and accountable approach” to governing international public finance. All participating governments would determine the priorities of GPI.

The Global Public Investment would include percentages of participants’ gross national income by their capability. The same countries would consequently receive funds according to their need, including wealthier countries. As a result of the GPI, all countries would have equal shares in a common fund, promoting the development of a fiscal-cooperation among them.

Looking Ahead

The way GPI might revolutionize international cooperation depends on many factors, and one of them is the efficient and thorough application of this innovative system as well as the support of all nations.

International aid is still valid for solving many of the world’s economic inequalities. Combined with GPI, the new system would allow the world to go a step further in its fight against global poverty.

– Caterina Rossi
Photo: Flickr
,

New Global Alliance Launched to Eradicate AIDS in Children

AIDS in Children
In August 2022, numerous intergovernmental agencies, civil society movements and a dozen countries congregated in Montreal, Canada to establish the Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030. Recognizing that only 52% of children with HIV access treatment, the newly created alliance strives to guarantee that all children living with HIV can access treatment by the end of the decade. Specifically, by closing the treatment gap between children and adults living with HIV, the alliance aims to ensure that all youth deserve the chance to progress into adulthood unimpeded by HIV.

Tackling HIV Treatment Disparities

According to the U.N., one of the most significant issues affecting AIDS response is the disparity between treatment provided to adults versus children. While 76% of adults received anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in 2021—treatment designed to control HIV infection—only 52% of individuals ages 0-14 years accessed ART. Furthermore, only 55% of children ages 15-19 in 21 sub-Saharan countries were on treatment in 2021. Despite technological advancements in HIV testing, “800,000 children and adolescents living with HIV (0-14 years) are untreated,” and “another estimated 400,000 adolescents (15-19 years) many of whom were likely recently infected are not receiving treatment.”

In recognition of these devastating figures, the U.N. believes that the low prioritization of HIV treatment on a national scale is the root of this problem. Specifically, inadequate investment in treatment strategies and national plans to mitigate societal inequalities has exacerbated the discrimination targeting those living with HIV. Although numerous similar plans have been implemented in recent decades—such as the Global Plan towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections Among Children by 2015 and the Start Free Stay Free AIDS Free Partnership—previous movements primarily focused on raising awareness and fostering engagement among leaders.

The Formation of a Global Alliance

Hoping to expand HIV treatment to millions of youths across the world, the alliance prioritizes creating a sustainable framework for HIV prevention in the next 8 years. UNAIDS, UNICEF and WHO are primarily leading the Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030. Beyond U.N. agencies, the alliance consists of “civil society movements…national governments in the most affected countries, and international partners.” The 12 countries involved in the alliance include Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The alliance’s mission is four-fold:

  1. “Close the treatment gap among breastfeeding adolescent girls and women living with HIV and optimize the continuity of treatment.
  2. Prevent and detect new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women.
  3. Promote accessible testing, optimized treatment, and comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents exposed to and living with HIV.
  4. Address gender equality, and the social and structural barriers that hinder access to services.”

The Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 seeks to foster a sense of unity within the international community. The alliance stresses how collaboration is the key to eradicating HIV; only by pooling resources, committing to global mobilization, and creating holistic solutions can the world prevent AIDS in children by the end of this decade.

A Promising Future

Going forward, the alliance will ensure that there is accessible treatment and care for children and adolescents living with HIV for at least the next eight years. According to a report published by UNAIDS, the alliance will promote leadership to execute plans on a national level, advance previous programs hoping to end AIDS, collaborate with global organizations to promote advocacy, ensure that governments have access to financing and advance accountability by fostering a sense of collective responsibility. As the Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 continues to expand HIV treatment to millions of deprived children, the world will inevitably see a new generation devoid of stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV—a promising future that allows children to prosper as they venture into adulthood.

– Emma He
Photo: Flickr

Government and NGOs Address Mental Health in Kazakhstan

Mental Health in Kazakhstan
Many countries, including Kazakhstan, struggle to accept mental well-being as part of a person’s overall health. Many often view mental health disorders with suspicion, and those suffering can become outcasts from their communities and society. Changing the view of mental health in Kazakhstan is difficult, but more important than ever.

In partnership with international organizations, the government of Kazakhstan is fighting to make that change and ensure that mental health treatment is more easily available to everyone. Addressing mental health is critical to addressing poverty as each social crisis feeds and strengthens the other. An article that two psychologists published in the BJ Psych Bulletin emphasizes this connection. “We highlight how mental health problems are related directly to poverty, which in turn underlies wider health inequalities,” authors Lee Knifton and Greig Inglis say.

Imperialism and Mental Health Impacts

The way that some have addressed mental health historically is partly due to long-standing beliefs about mental health — some recognized mental health disorders as a problem in traditional religious practices, where people often attributed suffering to demons or evil spirits. There is also Kazakhstan’s experience with foreign rule. Both Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union actively worked to delegitimize traditional folk religions and healing practices, and import new forms of health care.

“The Kazakh shaman’s figure epitomized the wildness and backwardness of the native population. His healing methods were usually presented as ‘tricks’, ineffective and harmful,” one researcher, anthropologist Danuta Penkala-Gaweka, reported in the journal Central Asian Survey. These beliefs were central to Kazakh cultural identity. Ultimately, this suppression led to a backlash. Practices that some associated with former imperial powers were often regarded with suspicion. This included clinical mental health counseling and psychiatric services. In part due to the stigma, accessing services became increasingly difficult.

Difficulty in access, poorly trained practitioners and social stigma left many sufferers without treatment. Unfortunately, while it is difficult to quantify, the number of people needing support was growing. The Guardian reported the mental health impact of a falling economy, particularly on men. “Psychologists say the economic downturn has proven particularly traumatic for men who are under significant pressure to provide for their families in what is still a heavily patriarchal society,” according to the Guardian. One woman she interviewed said “Our men are embarrassed to talk about problems. While for a [Kazakh] woman the problem is avoiding being abandoned by her husband, for a man the problem is how to support his family.”

In an interview with the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Nikolay Negev, a mental health consultant with the organization, explains the real consequences of untreated mental health problems and stigma: “We had several cases where we weren’t allowed to assist or treat, and a patient would die by suicide.” Even those who wanted treatment had difficulty getting it. A report that the Mental Health Atlas 2020 published put the impact into real numbers. According to the United Nations, there are 18,551,428 people living in Kazakhstan. For every 100,000 citizens, there are only 24.13 mental health professionals available. Only 2.86 of those professionals specialized in treating children or adolescents. The numbers look dire, but recent developments point to a real cause for hope.

Overcoming Obstacles

Despite their low numbers, mental health professionals in Kazakhstan are working hard at overcoming the suspicion associated with treatment. After the government partnered with UNICEF and other international organizations to create the AMHSP, or Adolescent Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Programme, there was a considerable drop in mental health problems among the youth the program reached. “[After the program was introduced, there was a] 36.1% decrease in suicidal ideation among young people, 80.6% decrease in anxiety, 56.1% decrease in depression and 65 per cent decrease in stress,” UNICEF reported in 2021.

The Kazakh government enthusiastically welcomed AMHSP’s success, which increased its funding by 25%. One report emphasized the vicious cycle here but also highlighted reasons for hope. “People are ashamed of going to a psychiatrist, counsellor [sic] or psychologist. But compared to the situation 20 years ago, we can see some changes. Most of the people who understand and want to change resort to them,” one therapist said. She did see room for continued growth, including better education for mental health professionals. “At the same time, I think, too many cases of schizophrenia are diagnosed. I meet patients with dementia regularly, and they have been diagnosed with schizophrenia.”

The fight for access to and treatment for mental health disorders is an ongoing and worldwide challenge. Kazakhstan’s success, however, is a bright light for advocates worldwide. Change can happen, and with continued support, it can flourish.

– Clara Martin
Photo: Flickr

,

Foreign Aid to South Sudan

Foreign Aid to South Sudan
The need for foreign aid to South Sudan is quickly growing. Not only is South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis worsening but extreme flooding, mass famine, economic troubles and aid cuts combine to exacerbate poverty and instability. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, South Sudan struggles as donors scale back their donations and redirect their foreign assistance budgets to aid Ukraine.

Violence and Political Unrest

The political situation in South Sudan is shaky and has led to violence and insecurity among the South Sudanese people. For context, South Sudan voted to secede from Sudan and became an independent state in 2011. However, shortly after, in 2013, civil war broke out due to a conflict between South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir, Sudan People’s Liberation Army in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and “other armed groups and affiliated militias.” The warring parties reached a peace agreement in 2015, but that quickly fell apart in 2016. In 2018, Kiir and Riek Machar, former leaders of the SPLA-IO, signed a peace accord in hopes of resolution.

The peace accord led to the division of power in a unity government officially inaugurated in February 2020, with Kiir as president and Machar as the first vice president. In August 2022, the unity government decided to extend by two years the post-civil war “transitional period,” which the government previously agreed would end in 2022. “Due to the lack of progress on many provisions of the peace agreement,” the transitional period will end in 2023, Africanews reports.

The need for foreign aid in South Sudan is critical because the general violence may have lessened, but the prevalence of other atrocities has risen. For example, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) found a “218[%] increase in conflict-related sexual violence” at the end of the second quarter of 2022.

In 2021, UNMISS documented 440 civilian murders and 64 rapes in Western Equatoria committed by the SPLA-IO and the military. South Sudan has held no perpetrators accountable and some senior officials in the government are advocating against accountability for various crimes, including ones committed by rebel groups and government authorities.

Flooding and Extreme Famine

The need for foreign aid to South Sudan is also high due to recurring mass flooding and extreme famine. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in 2022, the flooding impacted around 1 million people. Bearing in mind that South Sudan has a population of about 12.4 million people, this statistic means flooding has affected around 8% of the country’s total population.

A World Food Programme (WFP) report published in July 2022 reveals the extent of the extreme famine within South Sudan. Of the population of 12.4 million, around 7.7 million people are enduring severe food insecurity. This equates to more than 60% of the population struggling to meet their food needs. The report also reveals that more than “one-third of the counties in South Sudan have Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates that exceed the emergency threshold of 15[%].”

Economic Woes and Aid Cuts

In areas such as Warrap, locals say the price of basic goods has risen by 50% due to the “war in Ukraine as well as local currency depreciation and other supply chain disruptions.” In an October 2022 interview with The New Humanitarian, Agany Monychol, a doctor who runs a hospital in Tonj, said malnutrition cases are now twice as prevalent due to the rising prices of food.

The New Humanitarian also notes that aid cuts are not just a result of donor reallocations to Ukraine but also stem from a distrust of the South Sudanese government due to corrupt spending.

In June 2022, the WFP suspended aid to 1.7 million South Sudanese people due to “critical funding shortages.” Donor funding for Monychol’s hospital had also been reduced by 30%, leading to staff cuts and patients struggling without medicine.

Action to Assist South Sudan

The humanitarian crisis and growing poverty rates stem from a combination of factors, which is why foreign aid to South Sudan is crucial. According to the latest official World Bank estimates from 2016, 82% of South Sudanese people live under the national poverty line, giving South Sudan a first-place ranking for the highest poverty rates out of the World Bank’s recorded list of country-specific poverty estimates.

Despite funding shortfalls, the WFP provided 4 million people in South Sudan with food aid between January 2022 and June 2022. The U.S. is also committed to providing aid to South Sudan. According to the Department of State’s website, the U.S. is the top-ranking provider of foreign aid to South Sudan. From January 2022 to August 2022, the U.S. supplied South Sudan with more than $371 million worth of humanitarian aid.

As the youngest nation in the world, it will take time for the government of South Sudan to address issues relating to poverty while focusing on establishing political stability to maintain peace. Until then, it is important to continue to provide foreign aid to South Sudan in order to address the humanitarian crisis.

– Matthew Wikfors
Photo: Flickr