Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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Sleeping Sickness in Kenya Eradicated

Sleeping Sickness in KenyaSleeping sickness was first discovered in the early 20th century in Africa. It became the greatest threat to sub-Saharan Africa in the late ’90s. The region reported more than 40,000 cases every year, with the actual number thought to be much higher because of the remote communities suffering from underdiagnosis. By 2018, WHO statistics showed fewer than 1,000 cases across the entire continent—a historic milestone for Africa.

What Is Sleeping Sickness?

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as the sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by protozoans of the genus Trypanosoma, transmitted to humans by bites of tsetse flies (Glossina), which have acquired the parasites from infected humans or animals.

HAT is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD). NTD is a group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. This disease is one of 20 diseases and conditions currently classified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

These flies are very common in sub-Saharan Africa, though only certain species transmit the disease. Rural populations that rely on agriculture, fishing, animal handling or hunting are the most exposed. The disease can spread from single villages to entire regions and the incidence can vary from one village to the next.

Symptoms

Sleeping sickness can be divided into two main categories: West African sleeping sickness and East African sleeping sickness.

The East African sleeping sickness is characterized by a rapid succession of stages. Both stages take about a month and a half to show symptoms. The first stage begins immediately after the fly bites the victim. After a couple of weeks, the parasite starts to infect the brain and central nervous system.

The West African sleeping sickness takes longer to affect a person. Symptoms may be mild during the first few months after a tsetse fly bite introduces the parasite. During the first stage, an infected individual can experience fever, headache, enlarged lymph nodes, itching and joint pains.

In the second stage, once the parasite reaches the nervous system, it can cause behavioral changes, confusion, sensory disturbances and poor coordination. Sleep cycle disruption, which gives the disease its name, is a prominent feature. Without treatment, HAT is usually fatal, although rare cases of self-cure have been reported.

Kenya Eliminates HAT

Now, the disease is almost completely gone, thanks to coordinated efforts, new diagnostic tools, safer treatments and community-based surveillance. These measures help workers respond more quickly to outbreaks.

Kenya has strengthened HAT surveillance in 12 health facilities across six historically endemic counties, which act as sentinel sites. The country also actively monitors tsetse flies and animal trypanosomiasis, supported by the national veterinary health authorities and the Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council (KENTTEC).

The plan to eliminate this disease in Kenya is entering its final stages, but now it is crucial to ensure that the progress is sustained. WHO is working to prevent any potential resurgence that could lead to another devastating outbreak. WHO has set a goal of eliminating the threat of sleeping sickness across Africa by 2030.

Final Remarks

HAT is the second NTD to be eliminated in Kenya after the country was deemed free of Guinea worm disease in 2018. While there are still challenges involving the sickness, experts say that the trend with the disease is up-and-coming.

Kenya’s success follows similar announcements from nine other African nations: Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Benin, Uganda, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Togo and Guinea.

– Avery Car

Avery is based in Norfolk, Nebraska, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Telemedicine in Yemen: Health Care Amid War

Telemedicine in YemenYemen is one of the world’s vulnerable countries, with a GDP per capita of just $433. Decades of conflict, including a civil war that has killed more than 300,000 since 2014, have left millions of Yemenis without necessities. Health care in particular is lacking all over Yemen. The country has a mere 0.3 physicians per capita, below the global average.

Rates of vaccination against communicable diseases hover between 40% and 50%, compared to more than 90% in Western countries. Only 50% of the country’s medical facilities are functional. It comes as no surprise, then, that 80% of Yemenis face “significant challenges” in accessing health care.

The problem is even more dire in rural areas. The scarcity of health care in Yemen has fueled major outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and polio. These outbreaks have caused thousands of deaths and cost the Yemeni economy millions of dollars.

A Modern Solution

The enormous toll of treatable diseases in Yemen has given rise to a novel solution: telemedicine. Telemedicine is a form of low-cost health care in which physicians remotely diagnose and administer medical treatment to faraway patients. Physicians specifically utilize phone calls, text messages, online video-conferencing and other telecommunications technology to ensure their patients receive high-quality care.

Since its inception in the mid-1900s, telemedicine has proliferated—reaching millions of needy patients all over the world. In war-torn Yemen, several institutions have been using telemedicine since 1997. Leading the way are international companies, NGOs and medical associations. One example is SmartHealthTec, a Dubai-based medical equipment company that opened a branch in Yemen. The branch has recently inaugurated telemedicine platforms in the country to ensure the effective operation of its equipment “even in crisis conditions.”

Meanwhile, the international NGO Swinfen Charitable Trust has connected Yemeni doctors with medical consultants to address 85 complex cases across the country. This telemedicine approach enabled specialists to provide feedback to patients who otherwise had no access to such expertise. A 2020 study of a group of Yemeni patients and clinicians found general satisfaction with the Swinfen Charitable Trust’s telemedical consultations.

Similarly, the Eradication of Leishmaniasis [skin disease] from Yemen Project has successfully used telemedicine to reach vulnerable patients since 2013. Through WhatsApp and phone calls, Yemeni dermatologists have provided free medical recommendations to patients in different, often unreachable parts of the country. This has likely saved the lives of many patients who would have perished from skin-related conditions in a war-torn context without medical facilities.

Challenges Remain

Despite its success in reaching patients, telemedicine in Yemen still faces major limitations. Only 18% of Yemenis consistently use the Internet and just 55% have phone service. Reliable wi-fi infrastructure is also severely lacking. These barriers restrict who can access telemedicine in the first place.

Even with expanded Internet and wi-fi access, telemedicine will remain limited in scope. Severe medical conditions almost always require in-person treatment, such as surgery. Telemedicine cannot solve everything.

Telemedicine’s Potential

Regardless of its limitations, telemedicine can still strengthen health care in Yemen. Years of conflict have severely damaged the country’s physical health facilities. Yet international companies, NGOs and collaborative projects have successfully used telemedicine to reach patients in need. Its low-cost, remote nature, combined with advances in telecommunications, ensures that telemedicine will remain a vital part of Yemen’s health care system for decades to come.

– Pranav Kanmadikar

Pranav is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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The Hexavalent Vaccine Program in Senegal

The Hexavalent Vaccine Program in SenegalSenegal stands as one of Africa’s most stable and developing countries. From previous opposing leadership, Senegal now stands as a free country that can restructure its infrastructure. The most recent implementation in Senegal, the hexavalent vaccine program, plans to provide a healthier and more accessible future for health care.

The hexavalent vaccine program was officially introduced in Senegal in early July 2025. Centered on the Vaxelis vaccine, the initiative represents a major step toward ensuring healthier, more efficient lives for citizens by protecting children against multiple deadly diseases with a single shot.

Facts About the Hexavalent Program

The hexavalent program provides new, effective vaccines to combat six different diseases. The Vaxelis shot aims to prevent:

  • Whooping Cough
  • Hepatitis B
  • Diphtheria
  • Poliomyelitis (Polio)
  • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
  • Tetanus

The hexavalent vaccine replaces the previous, separately administered vaccines. This six-in-one vaccine’s impact can be endless, as it is time and cost-effective. This three-round immunization works on a 14-week schedule for completion. With infancy, this can be a four-round immunization cycle to protect against Hepatitis B preemptively.

This program aims to improve efficiency by reducing costs and the number of injections needed. From 2024 to the present day, the price has ranged from $4.50 to $2.85 per dose. In developing and low-income countries, $2.85 per dose is the average for the three-dose vaccine.

This vaccine will impact and create financial markets that will draw investment efforts. The hexavalent program can promote a flourishing market, rather than destroying it.

Senegal’s Hexavalent Vaccine Rollout

Senegal is among the first low-income countries to adopt this innovation. This vaccine eases the burden on children and parents, strengthens polio defense and aligns with WHO’s optimized immunization schedules. Backed by Gavi (covering most costs) and the Senegalese government (20% contribution), the rollout is expected to prevent 2,300 hospitalizations annually by 2030.

The Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, emphasized the importance of this program and how this reinforcing vaccine will offer a healthier future for Senegal: “For the past 18 months, our teams have been working tirelessly to prepare this transition. Hexavalent embodies our commitment to offering Senegalese children simplified and reinforced protection.”

This program signals a healthier future for fragile health care systems struggling with limited resources. Other countries are already studying Senegal’s model to adapt and strengthen their own immunization efforts.

Conclusion

With its strong commitment to universal health care coverage, Senegal is shifting its focus toward addressing the systemic barriers that continue to delay this mission. A critical review is being performed to study these weak points and how to implement successful foundations.

It marks a historic moment for Senegal, reflecting a turning point in its health sector and shaping the trajectory of future health care development across the nation.

– Emma Rowan

Emma is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Telemedicine in Mexico Broadens Health Care

Telemedicine in MexicoThe health care system in Mexico is notably flawed. Only 77% of Mexico’s 131 million citizens have access to health care coverage and nearly half of the health spending in the country comes out of the pockets of citizens, not the government. Mexico only allocates 5.7% of its GDP to health care-related costs, far below the average of 9.2% from the other 38 countries that make up the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This leaves the system underfunded and underresourced, particularly in rural locations.

Telemedicine, the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients, is helping fill in the gaps of Mexico’s health care system by making medical advice more accessible to poor and rural communities throughout the country.

Bringing Health Care to Rural Mexican Communities

Founded in 2014, 19Labs aims to make health care more accessible worldwide to people in rural communities. Its GALE platform is a “smart first-aid kit” that is affordable and accessible and it brings the full clinic experience to those unable to go to one in person. The organization has helped people in Guyana, the United States and Lebanon and now it’s expanding its reach in Mexico.

Earlier this year, 19Labs launched a new branch of its telemedicine program in Yucatán, Mexico, to bring health care services to the underserved rural communities in the area. 19Labs GALE eClinics have connected people who had previously faced distance barriers to services such as medical consultations, diagnostic tools and specialist advice and treatments. Using tools such as Zoom and EchoNous, people can now access effective health care treatment from the comfort of their own communities and without the burden of extensive travel.

In less than a year, the impact and benefits of the GALE eClinics have already been seen. In Comunidad Col, a child who was previously diagnosed with a heart murmur was assessed by the GALE eClinic and appropriately diagnosed with and treated for allergic rhinitis. A 6-month-old child in Noh Bec received an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a chronic dermatitis specialist, significantly improving the child’s condition and quality of life.

Maria Magdalena Chan Uluac, Director of the Noh Bec community clinic, credited the GALE eClinics for helping the lives of those in the Yucatán area: “We are at least three hours from Mérida, where the specialists are, so GALE has been a major financial and logistical relief for our patients. This has encouraged seeking medical treatment sooner instead of waiting until symptoms become critical.”

Telemedicine for Mexicans Abroad

MiSalud is a startup that connects Mexicans working abroad to health care. MiSalud’s mission is to provide services such as basic health care, preventative care, nutrition coaching, chronic condition management and mental health support via video, phone or SMS chat. The company also does not charge its users a co-pay and has extended hours for its virtual clinic.

MiSalud primarily works with agricultural, construction, hospitality and manufacturing companies where employees struggle to access health care because of language barriers or a lack of time to make it to a clinic or hospital. Employees of these companies receive MiSalud’s resources as an employer-sponsored benefit regardless of their insurance or full-time or part-time status. The coverage also extends to up to three family members.

Taylor Farms, a major global purveyor of packaged salads and cut vegetables, is one company that partners with MiSalud. Amy Taylor, the leader of Taylor Farms’ wellness initiative, reported that about 5,600 of the company’s 6,400 employees have signed up for MiSalud’s services. More than 2,000 of these employees have utilized the resource at least once.

MiSalud says that 40% of its users have said they would have ignored their health concerns or waited until they could travel back to Mexico to see a doctor without the platform. The company also reports that its users have seen a 56% improvement in depression scores and a one-level drop in diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure risk. In addition, users experienced a 24% improvement in chronic condition management and an average weight loss of 16 pounds.

More Ways to Access Telemedicine in Mexico

MedicallHome is another company working to make health care in Mexico more affordable and accessible. It provides 24/7 telephone access to licensed doctors, costing just $2 to $5 a month. Beyond medical care, the company also offers life insurance and vision and dental coverage.

Medicall is staffed by more than 60 practitioners, nutritionists and psychologists, each with at least two years of clinical experience and required to practice outside the call center to maintain their skills. The center handles about 500,000 calls annually, resolving 62% of cases over the phone and referring the rest for in-person treatment. Customers also have access to a provider network that includes primary care and specialist clinics, laboratories, pharmacies and hospitals.

Conclusion

Telemedicine is a growing field in Mexico and with widespread smartphone adoption by Mexican citizens and improving internet access, it is expected to become more popular. As of 2024, 68% of Mexicans reported preferring video and telephone consultations due to convenience, reduced travel costs and fewer wait times than in-person clinics. Since only half of the population has consistent medical care, the growth of free and accessible telemedicine in Mexico is significant and a welcome change to the health care system.

– Hannah Fruehstorfer

Hannah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Care in Rural India

Health Care in Rural IndiaIndia is the most populous country in the world, home to some 1.4 billion people. It is a very diverse nation, both demographically and geographically. India is still a developing country; therefore it faces a lot of challenges in terms of healthcare. Health care in rural India, in particular, faces many challenges and obstacles. Access to quality health care is still an elusive goal for many Indians living in rural areas of the country.

Background

According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, approximately 65% of Indians live in rural areas. As with many other countries, India also faces a divide between urban and rural areas. People living in rural areas face significant obstacles that hinder their access to proper health care. Rural areas face a lack of qualified medical professionals, inadequate medical supplies and limited awareness regarding diseases. There is a need to improve health care access in rural India. Proper health care is a right that all humans have. Access to quality health care in rural India needs to be reformed and expanded.

The National Health Mission (NHM)

The Indian government has implemented measures to improve access to proper health care. In 2013, New Delhi launched the National Health Mission (NHM). The purpose of this mission is to improve health care access in rural and underserved areas. The NHM encompasses two sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).

The mission aims to expand proper health care access to underserved areas in India. Additionally, the government has also launched a health insurance program (Ayushman Bharat) in 2018. This program provides free health care access to poorer Indians who cannot afford private health care services. Under Ayushman Bharat, the government established Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) throughout the country. These centers aim to bring health care access closer to the people.

First-Hand Problems

The Borgen Project spoke with Arjun Singh, an immigrant from India, on the topic of health care in rural India. Mr. Singh has witnessed first hand the problems that rural areas face in accessing health care. Mr. Singh grew up in a small village in northwestern India. Specifically, he grew up in Rajasthan, a large state situated in western India. Rajasthan is located in the desert. It is a mostly rural state.

Around 75% of people in Rajasthan live in rural areas. Mr. Singh states how difficult it was for him and his family to get access to proper health care. He states that village clinics have inadequate medical infrastructure and they’re routinely understaffed. There is a shortage of qualified medical personnel. One study stated that around 45% of personnel are absent from subcenters and aid posts.

However, Mr. Singh has clarified that things may be different now than they were during his time in India. In the decades since he left India, health care access in rural areas has improved. He stated how government initiatives such as the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat have made significant strides in improving rural access to proper and quality health care.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UAE Sends Aid To Help in Fight Against Cholera in Chad

Cholera in ChadSince the start of 2025, more than 390,000 cases of cholera have been reported across 31 countries. At least 4,322 of those cases have been fatal. On paper, these numbers can be hard to grasp.

However, to put them in perspective, the number of infections is nearly four times the capacity of Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the U.S. The death toll is equally staggering, approaching one and a half times the number of lives lost in the September 11 attacks.

What is Cholera?

Cholera is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mild cholera cases can be easily treated with oral rehydration solutions, which replace lost fluids and electrolytes. More extreme cases may require intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Cholera can be fatal if not treated quickly, though if caught in time, treatment is very effective.

Cholera is a waterborne disease, meaning it is primarily spread through contaminated water sources. This fact is particularly sobering in Chad, where only 52% of the population can access clean drinking water. The situation is even more dire in rural areas, where that number drops to just 43.8%.

Cholera in Chad

This global outbreak has hit Chad, a country in north-central Africa, especially hard. Chad has a population of more than 19 million, with 44.8% living on an income below the national poverty line. From July 13 to August 19, Chad recorded 776 cholera cases and 53 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 6.8%.

The disease is believed to have entered Chad from its eastern neighbor, Sudan. Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a violent civil war that has devastated the country. According to the United Nations (U.N.), the ongoing conflict has triggered a massive refugee crisis, forcing approximately 1.2 million Sudanese to flee across the border into Chad in search of safety and stability.

The cholera outbreak has been further worsened by these cross-border movements and the instability caused by the war. Armed conflict often exacerbates disease spread, making it essential to focus on this region now to prevent outbreaks and further human suffering.

UAE Involvement

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a small but wealthy country on the Arabian Peninsula. In August 2025, its government sent 30 tons of lifesaving medical supplies to Chad to combat the cholera outbreak.

Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, the chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, confirmed that Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s priority is to continue the country’s “international humanitarian commitment to address health challenges wherever they arise.”

In 2025 alone, the UAE has distributed more than $80 million in health-related aid worldwide, with the primary beneficiaries in West Asia and Africa.

Conclusion

Efforts to contain cholera in Chad are critical. The UAE’s contribution is a meaningful step in the fight against cholera, offering critical relief to one of the regions hit hardest by the outbreak. However, millions remain at risk due to limited access to clean water, basic health care and humanitarian support.

– William Brentani

William is based in San Francisco, CA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Positive Steps in Reducing Cancer in the UAE

Cancer in the UAEThe United Arab Emirates (UAE) is known for its beautiful architecture, oil exporting and the emirates that form the country. The UAE has seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. Dubai is the most populous of the UAE, with Abu Dhabi being the capital. Although the UAE is one of the richest countries in the world, it still has issues of poverty and cancer.

The UAE has an estimated poverty rate of 19.5%, driven in part by rising living costs and low wages that fail to ensure sustainable conditions for workers. The leading causes of death in the UAE are COVID-19, ischemic heart disease, stroke and breast cancer (in the case of women).

Cancer in the UAE

Diseases and cancers are prominent in the UAE in part because health care is not free for expatriates and foreign residents, who make up 10.04% of the country’s 11.35 million people. This creates barriers to early detection, as many residents cannot afford regular checkups. When cancers are detected, they are often at advanced stages, making treatment more difficult.

Environmental factors also play a role. The UAE’s reliance on oil production and shipments increases the risk of air pollution, with higher levels of carbon in the atmosphere. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause labored breathing, skin irritation and, over time, elevate cancer risks.

The leading cancers in the UAE are breast, thyroid, colorectal, skin and leukemia. While cancers such as breast cancer and leukemia are not directly tied to environmental causes, conditions like skin and thyroid cancer may be linked to pollution and environmental exposure.

Expanding Access to Affordable Cancer Care

In response, hospitals in Abu Dhabi have expanded access to cancer care. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, located in the nation’s capital, houses 15 specialized institutes, including one focused on cancer treatment. The clinic is diverse, staffed with doctors from Western countries and operates in Arabic and English.

As a semi-government hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers care at significantly lower costs than private facilities. Government-owned hospitals typically charge between AED 250–400 ($60–$109), while privately owned hospitals cost around AED 600–800 ($163–$218).

Private treatment expenses are often unaffordable for individuals earning less than AED 80 ($22) a day. In contrast, government hospitals provide a more accessible option, particularly for costly treatments like cancer care.

What Does This Mean for People in Poverty?

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides financial assistance for patients unable to afford treatment. Individuals whose annual family income is at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) may qualify for free or discounted care. The clinic also collaborates with insurance providers, accepts multiple payment methods and allows for government assistance in covering medical expenses.

Through combined government and hospital support, people living in poverty can access necessary medical care without the overwhelming burden of bills. Early detection of cancers such as breast and skin cancer can ensure that low-income patients receive timely treatment, allowing them to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Final Remarks

Government-affiliated clinics like the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provide greater access to cancer screenings for impoverished people. Early detection not only reduces cancer-related mortality but also gives individuals in low-income communities the chance to pursue healthier, more productive lives, including improved career opportunities.

– Erin Lee

Erin is based in New York City, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The New Deployment of the Malaria Vaccine in Mali

Malaria Vaccine in MaliThe Republic of Mali, more commonly referred to as simply Mali, is the eighth-largest country in Africa. Mali is located in the Western part of the continent and boasts a population of approximately 25 million as of 2025. Furthermore, Mali has one of the hottest, driest climates in the world.

The Malaria Vaccine in Mali

Mali has joined the growing list of African countries that have introduced the malaria vaccine to their people. Before joining, it accounted for approximately 3.1% of global malaria cases, highlighting the country’s urgent need for innovative health interventions and stronger immunization programs.

The new initiatives on supporting the hybrid approach to the malaria vaccine in Mali began on April 25, coinciding with World Malaria Day. The Ministry of Health is leading the initiative with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Malaria has been a massive issue for sub-Saharan African countries for years. However, recent Gavi studies have shown that a hybrid vaccination approach is practical. Mali is now applying this strategy to protect its population.

What is the New Approach?

Instead of administering the malaria vaccine two doses over a few months, the new approach in Mali provides children ages 3 to 5 with three doses spread across the year, followed by a fourth and fifth dose administered in May or June.

Children are among the most at-risk groups for contracting malaria, which is why they are the primary focus of the new vaccine initiative. Lacking years of exposure, children have not developed natural immunity as many adults have, leaving them dangerously vulnerable.

As a result, malaria remains one of the leading causes of child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, making widespread vaccination efforts essential to saving lives and reducing future transmission.

The seasonal doses will help ensure children are as protected as possible from malaria. May and June mark the beginning of the highest transmissions of malaria in the year. Indeed, having additional vaccine doses around these times every year can help ensure that the spread doesn’t begin at all.

Has the New Approach Been Successful?

The new approach to administering the malaria vaccine in Mali has been successful, showing strong potential for long-term impact. According to the WHO, “both [doses] of vaccine reduce malaria cases by about 75% when given seasonally in areas of highly seasonal transmission where seasonal malaria chemoprevention is provided.”

With the number of childhood deaths caused by malaria trending downward, the people of Mali are becoming more optimistic about improving their children’s lives. The new vaccine initiative, coupled with more traditional methods of malaria protection, mosquito nets and repellent, ensures that the number of malaria cases continues to drop.

– Zoe Felder

Zoe is based in Charlotte, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Expanded Care for Endometriosis in Poland

Endometriosis in PolandAn estimated 6-15% of women in Poland are believed to have endometriosis. This painful and immunological disease involves the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside of the uterus. This statistic is so broad because many women are often told that painful menstruation is simply part of life, which leads to few women seeking medical advice. For the women who do search for an answer to their pain, it can take an average of 8-10 years to get a diagnosis.

However, Poland is making much-needed improvements in care and support for women with endometriosis by launching a new national program.

Flaws in Endometriosis Care in Poland

Endometriosis requires an early diagnosis in order to receive the best care possible. However, the diagnostic process is often long, invasive and exhausting for patients. This process includes a gynecological exam, a transvaginal and transrectal exam, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a computed tomography (CT), a laparoscopy and a histopathological exam. It is also important that these exams be done by a gynecologist specializing in treating endometriosis, which can be hard to find.

Overall, health care in Poland has many flaws. Though Polish citizens have access to a free public health care system, the sector is riddled with organizational problems, outdated technology, underfunded medical centers and a lack of physicians and specialists nationwide.

In Poland, wealth strongly influences health outcomes. About 71% of high-income citizens report being in good health, compared to just 53% of low-income citizens. The country’s life expectancy is around 77 years, ranking 24th in the European Union (EU).

New Care Program for Endometriosis in Poland

On July 1, 2025, Poland initiated its new national system for endometriosis care, including diagnostics and treatment. This program established eight new specialized medical centers throughout Poland where women can access care free of cost.

This program includes free consultations with various specialists and medical professionals, such as gynecologists, surgeons, psychologists, dietitians and physiotherapists. Women can now also easily access ultrasound and MRI diagnostics and pharmaceutical and surgical treatments. The newly established centers will provide surgeries, post-operative care and post-procedural health monitoring.

This wave of reform was set into motion after years of advocacy efforts from the organization Pokonać Endometriozę” (Conquer Endometriosis). The Polish Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, credits Polish citizens and their efforts: “No regulation or law changes reality – it is we, the people, who change it,” she stated.

This new system will benefit lower-income Polish citizens by providing free specialized care. Opening eight new centers throughout the country means more women will have access to endometriosis care and will not have to travel extensive distances to receive medical advice.

Final Remarks

Poland’s new program for endometriosis is a breakthrough in women’s health. With eight specialized centers offering free diagnostics, treatments, and multidisciplinary support, thousands, especially low-income women, will finally access timely care. This reform marks a vital step toward equity. It sets a model for compassionate public health.

– Hannah Fruehstorfer

Hannah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Telemedicine in Sudan is Supporting Health care Workers

Telemedicine in SudanThe people of Sudan are enduring one of the most severe humanitarian catastrophes of modern times. After two years of a brutal war, this article explores how telemedicine initiatives in Sudan support health care workers at a time of untold struggle.

The Forgotten War

Following a legacy of colonialism, deep fragmentation and internal conflict, numerous disasters and political insecurities have ravaged Sudan’s public health infrastructures.

Despite being the second-largest producer of gold in Africa, the systemic leveling of homes, schools and hospitals, alongside climate shocks and desertification, are creating a complex crisis where 30.4 million Sudanese civilians are now in dire need of aid.

Here, overseas arms flows perpetuate networks of geopolitical competition and the extraction of natural resources at the cost of innocent human lives, all while Sudan’s health care system is on the verge of collapse.

In the shadows of ethnic cleansing in Darfur and the fall of Al-Bashir’s 30-year dictatorship, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) emerged as a fatal and multi-dimensional struggle.

Reports estimate that up to 150,000 civilians may have died directly or indirectly due to the conflict. As famine spreads, 12 million people had to flee their homes resulting in the largest displacement emergency of the 21st century.

A Health care System in Disarray

At a time when RSF allegedly targets doctors and medical workers for providing care for opposition soldiers, around 80% of health care facilities are out of service in the areas most impacted by the war.

According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), a child died of hunger or malnutrition every two hours in the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur last year. These immense challenges have left a struggling health care system overburdened by the conflict, with patients in need of assistance.

Further restrictions and bureaucratic impediments imposed on Sudanese hospitals also highlight the need for rapid interventions and more robust long-term solutions, particularly due to the dramatic increase in reports of sexual and gender-based violence since the conflict began.

In the face of these intersecting challenges, Telemedicine initiatives are helping to support Sudan’s health care systems at a time of growing struggle.

Educast and Telemedicine Initiatives in Sudan

Today, telemedicine offers a wide range of practices such as consultations, triaging, prescriptions, counselling and other referrals. Initiatives like Educast facilitate virtual consultations through hotlines that are accessible to people living across the country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a network of remote doctors provided consultations for displaced populations, as well as disease surveillance support for clinics in war-affected areas. They also use WhatsApp to help provide information on patient health and well-being through the exchange of medical reports and analysis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Sudanese government focuses on expanding its telemedicine capabilities, while recognizing its growing potential to revolutionise and sustain healthcare delivery, particularly during moments of crisis.

The Future of Telemedicine

While there is still an existential need for aid intervention from the international community, the Sudanese government has taken proactive measures to implement programmes like the Gezira Family Medicine Project (GFMP).

The GFMP project trained qualified family physicians to provide accessible health care services by utilising E-Learning platforms. A two-year curriculum aims to train students to provide service provision within their communities.

Despite the progress of Telemedicine programmes, the people of Sudan are still facing untold challenges. Greater attention now goes to address the inequalities that inhibit access to online services, narrowing the digital divide in a nation with one of the lowest rates of mobile access on the planet.

In spite of these obstacles, the early implementation of telemedicine in Sudan is laying foundations for future initiatives, showing promising signs that it can assist health care professionals, facilitate future training and digital campaigns that can support Sudan’s struggling health care system at a time of great need.

Conclusion

While the survival of a nation hangs in the balance, telemedicine initiatives in Sudan offer a small step towards the integration of new and innovative health developments that can improve its emergency response mechanisms, while fostering a more resilient public health system for a people ravaged by war, instability and corruption.

– Gabriel John Gunn

Gabriel is based in Paisley, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr