Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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HIV/AIDS in Slovenia: A Case of Universal Treatment

HIVAIDS in SloveniaSlovenia is a success story in many aspects of development, and their success in keeping HIV prevalence low is no different. Universal access to treatment, a focused prevention strategy and gradually decreasing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS have coalesced to form a unified approach.

HIV/AIDS in Slovenia has failed to escalate into a dominant issue, largely thanks to significant progress in addressing broader inequality, with Slovenia having one of the lowest income inequalities in the European Union. With this foundation, Slovenia is a great illustration of how reducing social and economic inequality has helped to mitigate HIV/AIDS rates.

A Foundation of Effective Treatment

As of 2022, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of the Slovenian population between 15-49 was 0.1%, with the most affected group being men who have sex with men (MSM). While there was a rapid increase in MSM cases by 2008, prevalence has remained low due to strong, universal access to treatment which encompasses Slovenian citizens and migrants with employment status.

Strong public health frameworks across the country ensures access to treatment is viable for most of the population with citizens, migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees receiving comprehensive medical services, including HIV care.

The Infectious Disease Clinic at the medical faculty for University of Ljubljana leads the way for active antiretroviral therapy with voluntary clinics and testing centers available across the country to ensure treatment can be effective through early diagnosis.

Prioritizing Prevention Key to Success

Alongside universal access to treatment, continuous focus on prevention has enabled transmission rates to be continuously low, promoting safe behavior regarding sexual activity. The Institute of Public Health in Slovenia has continued to promote educational messages annually to align with World AIDS Day, encouraging awareness through mainstream public health messages to destigmatize the issue.

Initiatives in primary and secondary schools have also contributed to an effective prevention strategy, distributing HIV education materials and encouraging condom use more broadly. A significant increase in condom use in Slovenia demonstrated that, at least in heterosexual contexts, HIV related promotion surrounding condom use was effective. Despite the culmination of these disparate efforts succeeding in maintaining low HIV prevalence, deep-rooted stigmas remain that threaten to entrench social inequalities.

The Power of Stigma

There is an evident stigma attached to HIV/AIDS in Slovenia, which relates to broader conservatism in the country. While that has gradually receded, it is still prominent. A significant number of people in Slovenia conceal their HIV-positive status out of fear of discrimination. Lingering stigma and discrimination are one of the primary barriers in completely eradicating HIV infections, including discrimination within public health care settings.

Slovenia holds solutions to these issues though and one includes the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Legebitra is an NGO based in Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana. It has spearheaded programs surrounding HIV prevention and treatment since 2009, opening multiple HIV and STI testing clinics across Ljubljana and other major cities in Slovenia.

It is not only testing where Legebitra has made an impact, but its educational programs are vital at addressing stigmatized issues. Its “HIV+” program has provided counselling to people living with HIV, as well as increasing awareness of taboo subjects which endanger marginalized groups. Crucially, Legebitra offers its testing services and educational programs for free, ensuring that people living in poverty do not suffer the intersectional consequences of low socio-economic status and discrimination.

A Nation Moving Forward

Grassroots, community-based educational messaging and maintaining accessible treatment for deprived groups has softened stigma surrounding HIV. There is a correlation between poverty rates and HIV prevalence, stemming from socio-economic inequalities affecting vulnerable populations such as migrants and the unemployed. Slovenia’s health care policy of providing comprehensive HIV care to migrant workers and asylum seekers has enabled marginalized communities to have access to sufficient care, demonstrating that Slovenia’s progress towards social progression has helped to mitigate HIV infections.

Focusing on cases involving MSM has proved a prudent strategy, with HIV prevalence remaining low despite the initial increase in cases from 2006. Efforts made to psychologically support vulnerable groups at risk from HIV and provide free treatment has supplemented Slovenia’s broader trend of mitigating inequalities and ensuring that while HIV/AIDS in Slovenia is not a universal problem, everyone has the universal right to access help.

– Oscar McClintock

Oscar is based in Cambridge, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Digital Midwifery in Bolivia: Rural Mothers and Mobile Tech

Digital Midwifery in Bolivia

In the remote highlands of Bolivia’s Andes, where health care facilities are scarce and distances vast, accessing postpartum care has long been a challenge for new mothers. However, since 2023, a transformative initiative has been underway: midwives equipped with mobile devices and WhatsApp provide virtual postnatal check-ins. They offer guidance on breastfeeding, wound care and infant development, all from the comfort of home.

Bridging the Gap With Technology

Bolivia’s mountainous terrain often makes traditional health care services inaccessible to rural populations. For mothers in these regions, reaching the nearest clinic can mean walking across rugged landscapes for hours or even days. Recognizing this challenge, the Bolivian government, in collaboration with organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Plan International, has been integrating traditional midwives into the formal health care system.

This integration involves training midwives and equipping them with tools to enhance maternal and neonatal care in indigenous communities. For many, this training includes learning how to use mobile technology as a bridge to connect isolated mothers with professional advice. By introducing WhatsApp consultations, midwives can now conduct remote check-ins, answer urgent questions and provide ongoing support to families who would otherwise remain cut off from timely medical care.

A New Era of Maternal Care

The use of mobile technology has revolutionized postpartum care in these communities. Midwives, who are often deeply rooted in the culture and languages of the Indigenous populations they serve, are uniquely positioned to build trust and reduce barriers to care. WhatsApp has become a lifeline for mothers, allowing them to communicate efficiently through voice notes, video calls and photos.

Through these platforms, midwives provide personalized advice on topics such as breastfeeding techniques, recognizing the early signs of postpartum depression, monitoring wound healing after childbirth and ensuring proper infant nutrition. These conversations go beyond clinical checklists—they validate traditional practices while introducing evidence-based recommendations, striking a balance that resonates with local families.

Importantly, this method of care strengthens emotional bonds. Mothers report feeling less isolated and more confident, knowing someone is “just a call away” to answer questions or provide reassurance. This culturally sensitive approach, rooted in both tradition and innovation, ensures that health advice is not only accessible but also trusted.

Impact and Future Prospects

The early results of this initiative are promising. Communities that once faced high rates of postpartum complications are seeing improvements in maternal and infant health. Mothers express greater confidence in caring for themselves and their babies. They report that quick access to midwife guidance helps them resolve health concerns before they become emergencies.

Beyond individual families, the ripple effect is significant. Fathers and extended family members are also included in digital consultations, learning how to support new mothers more effectively. Midwives are gaining professional recognition and increased status within the health care system, bridging the divide between traditional knowledge and modern medicine.

This initiative also reduces the financial burden on families. Without the need to travel long distances, mothers save time and money, resources that can instead be directed toward food, childcare or household needs.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its successes, digital midwifery in Bolivia still faces challenges. Connectivity remains unreliable in some areas; not every household can access smartphones or stable electricity. Training programs will need to be ongoing to ensure midwives are confident using digital platforms and adapting to updates in technology.

Nevertheless, the growth potential is substantial. Policymakers and health organizations are considering ways to expand this model to other rural regions of Bolivia and even across neighboring countries in Latin America. By continuing to blend traditional midwifery practices with digital health tools, Bolivia is setting a precedent for culturally sensitive, accessible and scalable maternal health care.

If successful, digital midwifery could serve as a blueprint for addressing maternal health gaps in other parts of the world with similar geographic and cultural barriers to Bolivia. The initiative highlights how low-cost, user-friendly technology, when placed in the hands of trusted community leaders, can reshape health care systems and save lives.

– Marina Martin

Marina is based in Rapid City, SD, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Drones in Nepal Delivering Hope via Medical Supplies

Drones in Nepal

Nepal’s mountainous terrain and fragile road network create severe challenges for medical access. In Dudhauli Municipality’s Ward 12, residents face hour-long drives on rocky roads prone to landslides and flooding during the monsoon season, often cutting them off from urgent care. In such regions, delays in medical delivery can be the difference between life and death. That is why medical drones in Nepal are vital to local communities.

Amma: The Drone Project Bringing Medicine to Villages

In response, a collaboration between Storming Universe, Kathmandu University and partners in Portugal is pioneering a new solution. The project, called Amma, meaning “mother” in Nepali, focuses on using drones to deliver life-saving supplies such as blood and essential medicines directly to isolated villages.

A recent test flight transported supplies from Sirthauli Hospital to Ward 12, demonstrating drones’ potential to bypass treacherous terrain. Locals and medical teams expressed optimism, seeing medical drones in Nepal as a reliable and faster alternative to traditional transport methods.

Partnerships Driving Innovation

The Amma project benefits from wide-ranging support. Turkish Airlines has provided transportation backing, while Madhuka Drone Services, a Nepali company specializing in drone services, is exploring integrating the technology into regular operations. With local adoption, the initiative could scale nationwide, offering thousands of communities a safer path to health care.

This effort builds on earlier partnerships with groups like Options Consultancy Services and Nepal Flying Labs, which worked with the Government of Nepal to test drones for delivering tuberculosis samples and COVID-19 vaccines. These trials highlighted the role of medical drones in Nepal in addressing health system shortages and bringing “last mile” health care to underserved populations.

Global Context and Local Solutions

Globally, drones are gaining recognition for their role in health care logistics. From carrying sputum samples in rural India to delivering emergency medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, drone technology is transforming access to essential care. In Nepal, 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with many communities several hours away from hospitals. Drones could play a vital role in reducing preventable deaths.

Moreover, local innovators such as Prokura Innovations, supported by UNICEF’s Innovation Fund, build low-cost drones domestically, ensuring technology is adapted to Nepal’s unique terrain and needs. These efforts emphasise sustainability, training local operators and embedding services within national health systems.

A Beacon of Hope

Though challenges such as limited payload capacity and regulatory hurdles remain, the Amma project represents a hopeful shift in Nepal’s health care delivery. By harnessing drone technology, isolated communities gain faster medical care and renewed trust in the possibility of timely health care.

As Amma and similar initiatives expand, medical drones in Nepal carrying blood, vaccines and medicines could soon become common across the country’s skies. Ultimately, they could offer lifelines of hope and survival.

– Robert Darke

Robert is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Malaria in Bangladesh: How Bangladesh Struck Back

Malaria in BangladeshMalaria is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases in South Asia, taking the lives of an estimated 600,000 people globally in 2023. That same year, however, in Bangladesh, it claimed only six. In fact, between 2008 and 2023, the country reduced malaria by 96%. This is a direct result of Bangladesh’s incredible effort to eliminate malaria. This effort is soon to bear fruit.

What Is Malaria?

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that can spread to vertebrates. Symptoms can include fever and headaches as well as vomiting and, in extreme cases, death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 263 million malaria cases in 2023 alone.

In fact, travel is a major driver of malaria transmission in Southeast Asia. Understanding how migration influences the spread of the illness is essential to stopping it. Researchers and organizations in Bangladesh have developed several tracking methods, including travel surveys and mobile phone data.

Addressing the Issue

Climates like Bangladesh’s provide ideal breeding conditions for malaria-transmitting mosquitoes to thrive. This threat has been countered for decades with insecticide-treated nets; today, most families own at least one. However, these nets are insufficient to eliminate malaria; they primarily work to reduce transmission rates rather than fully eradicate the disease. To address malaria in Bangladesh, broader and more comprehensive solutions beyond nets are required.

Thankfully, nets are not the only tool Bangladesh has to combat malaria. In 2021, the WHO approved the first malaria vaccine, which Bangladesh quickly adopted and rolled out on as wide a scale as possible. Today, the country has established a strict treatment regimen for those afflicted, using the most up-to-date version of the vaccine to reduce the burden of the disease.

Additionally, in 2021, Bangladesh launched its National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (2021–2025), outlining the ambitious goal of eliminating malaria from the country by 2030. The plan emphasizes early detection and treatment, monitoring evolving malaria strains, distributing insecticide-treated nets to at-risk populations and strengthening advocacy efforts to ensure widespread access to treatment.

Final Remarks

Malaria cases in Bangladesh have been steadily declining for years and the trend is expected to continue. From 2022 to 2023, infection rates fell by 9.2%, with predictions showing further decreases in the future. This consistent decline highlights Bangladesh’s perseverance, persistence and determination in combating the threat of malaria.

Bangladesh’s success proves that with the right mix of time, resources, international aid and strong leadership, no disease is unbeatable, not even one as deadly as malaria. The steady decline in cases shows what’s possible when governments, health organizations and communities work together toward a shared goal.

While challenges remain, Bangladesh’s progress stands as a powerful reminder that elimination is within reach and that with persistence, global health victories once thought impossible can, in fact, become reality.

– Cayle Harrison

Cayle is based in Columbia, SC, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Ever-Improving: Health Care in Barbados

Health care in BarbadosBarbados is a small island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, northeast of Trinidad and Tobago and east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Since gaining independence in 1966, Barbados has advanced in many areas, with health care being a notable success.

While challenges remain, particularly health care inequality and the rise of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), Barbados’ system has grown impressively, often ranking near the top globally. Key achievements include robust public health services, universal health care and improved disease screening and data management.

Struggles With Noncommunicable Diseases

The Caribbean has some of the highest consumption of sugary drinks and obesity. This has made NCDs extremely prevalent. Food environments are shifting to less healthy options, increasing sedentary living. These are key factors driving the rise of NCDs. The four main NCDs, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease, account for eight of 10 deaths in the region. Barbados is not foreign to this issue.

As recently as 2024, 75% of all deaths in the Caribbean were from NCDs. Barbados and its economy also take a hit due to this health crisis, as approximately $75 million is lost annually from the impact of NCDs on the island’s workflow. NCDs account for between 1.36% and 8% of the GDP for Caribbean countries, leading to an impact felt across the region. As recently as 2021, people between the ages of 30 and 70 had a 14% probability of dying from NCDs. However, there is a bright side for health care in Barbados.

Progress in Health Care Services

Barbados has universal health care coverage for all citizens and permanent residents, with the government serving as the main provider of health services. This makes health care in Barbados free at the point of delivery, allowing the public to access the care they need. The country also has a strong primary health care system, supported by nine polyclinics and two satellite clinics, all located along the island’s major road networks.

Health care in Barbados has also improved in terms of data storage and screening procedures. The country’s Information Systems for Health have advanced, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) hosted stakeholders in July 2025 to strengthen the health information ecosystem. At this meeting, they identified gaps, strengths and opportunities to make health care systems more data-driven. Additionally, Barbados has enhanced screening and diagnosis for NCDs, particularly breast cancer.

In 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency helped improve access to cancer care by training 40 medical imaging professionals from 13 Caribbean countries to detect breast cancer better. This effort was supported by the PAHO, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and City Cancer Challenge, which collaborated to provide diagnostic training across the region.

Conclusion

Health care in Barbados has seen significant progress despite ongoing challenges. NCDs remain a concern, but advancements in public health offer a clear path forward. With improved screening procedures, stronger data systems and accessible primary care, Barbados continues to demonstrate notable successes in its health care system.

– Amari Jennings

Amari is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Zero Maternal Deaths Goal: Women’s Health in Honduras

Women’s Health in HondurasWomen in Honduras living in poverty often lack the resources to access hospitals, increasing the risk of maternal deaths. In 2023, the country recorded 47 deaths per 100,000 live births due to pregnancy-related causes. According to the World Bank, this reflects major progress since the 2000s, when the maternal mortality rate stood at 199 per 100,000. Still, many women remain without adequate health care and face preventable complications during childbirth, including severe bleeding.

Women’s Health in Honduras

The health of young women and those living in poverty is critical, as it not only shapes their own lives but also affects their families and the wider Honduran community.

In Miskito communities, limited health care resources leave mothers at risk, with preventable deaths during childbirth often caused by prolonged labor and severe bleeding. High transportation costs to hospitals like Puerto Lempira further prevent many impoverished families from accessing essential medical care. Some families lack the funds to send women to hospitals during emergencies, often viewing it as a heavy expense.

Women in Honduras face higher poverty risks than men due to limited job opportunities. As of 2024, only 39.5% of women participate in the labor force, compared to 74.9% of men, a 35.4% gap highlighting barriers women encounter in securing work. This economic inequality makes it harder for women to escape poverty. As a result, their health needs are frequently deprioritized within impoverished households.

The Zero Maternal Health Model

In 2021, skilled physicians and birth professionals attended only 52% of births in Honduras. The new Zero Maternal Health Model seeks to change this, aiming for no mother to die during childbirth. Now the national standard for women’s and obstetric care, the model introduces a practical methodology that has transformed how hospitals manage obstetric emergencies.

Instead of simply revising protocols on paper, it has reorganized hospital systems with a “code red” response, enabling faster, coordinated action to save mothers’ lives. The plan was first introduced in Intibucá, where its success led to rapid adoption nationwide. Today, all 28 hospitals in Honduras’ national health system have implemented the Zero Maternal Health Model, significantly improving women’s health outcomes.

As part of the 2022–2026 National Mortality Reduction Plan, the model and its “code red” system have delivered remarkable results, including a historic 27.4% drop in maternal mortality in 2024. The initiative now ensures access to specialized, life-saving care for women in poverty and those in remote areas without the burden of long and costly travel.

Dr. Nuri Bonilla, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Gabriela Alvarado Hospital, highlighted the transformation brought by the new model. “We went from a hospital where each emergency was chaotic to having organized teams, rapid response alarms and protocols that truly save lives,” she said.

This model has been made possible because of the partnership between the Ministry of Health, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Government of Canada. Thanks to these efforts, thousands of lives can be saved in Honduras and more women now have access to improved health care.

Initiative Strengthening Women’s Health in Honduras

The partnership between PAHO and Global Affairs Canada is accelerating progress in women’s health in Honduras and strengthening maternal care in five other South American countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru.

The project has expanded health care access for women across these nations and provided critical support for survivors of gender-based violence. It has also advanced the health of women and adolescent girls in vulnerable situations by increasing access to gender-sensitive, rights-based and culturally appropriate services.

Across the six countries, the project has trained 64,000 health care workers in maternal care, neonatal care, adolescent pregnancy prevention and response to gender-based violence. This project has been in effect from 2021 to 2024. It has helped fight the persistent inequalities affecting the health of women and adolescents, not only in Honduras but also in other neighboring South American countries.

World Renew Grants

World Renew is an organization that addresses global hunger and poverty through community development and disaster response programs. Reports indicate that in Honduras, a woman is killed every 16 hours. Between 2005 and 2016, the female homicide rate increased by 263%, highlighting the country’s severe gender-based violence crisis.

World Renew has given a grant to women in Honduras to help them improve their skills and provide small business management. This is significant as it has helped women in Honduras grow food in their gardens. Schemes like this have resulted in healthier diets and a financial income from selling produce that will help them escape poverty. Not only has this grant improved their health, but it has also given them an income source.

– Alice Haston

Alice is based in Liverpool, UKm and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Pregnancy Crisis in Gaza

Pregnancy Crisis in Gaza

A lack of access to food, water, medical care and safety has brought on the pregnancy crisis in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, thousands of women have been at risk in every stage, including during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Hospitals along the Gaza Strip, including in its biggest cities like Rafah and Khan Younis, have been facing severe bombings and shortages of every kind, from fuel to food to trained medical staff. The ongoing pregnancy crisis in Gaza has made carrying a healthy pregnancy to term nearly impossible.

International humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the United Nations (U.N.), Project HOPE and many more have aided women in Gaza. However, they are currently facing difficulties due to a blockade. Without the necessary aid, thousands of pregnant women in Gaza are at risk of starvation, infection and complications.

Facts About the Pregnancy Crisis in Gaza

  1. There are an estimated 55,000 pregnant women in Gaza, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Approximately 11,000 of those women are at risk of famine. One in three pregnancies is now considered high risk. One in five babies is born prematurely or underweight. It is estimated that 17,000 pregnant women will need to be treated for malnutrition within the following year.
  2. Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of death among pregnant women in Gaza. Due to a lack of accessible medical care, most pregnant women do not receive prenatal checkups, which are essential for monitoring the health of both the fetus and the mother. Without access to the care they need, expectant mothers in Gaza are unable to detect conditions like preeclampsia and eclampsia, both of which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage.
  3. According to Human Rights Watch, as of January 2025, only seven of the 18 remaining functioning hospitals along the Gaza Strip offer emergency obstetric and newborn care. Out of 11 field hospitals, only four offer obstetric and newborn care. This has led to encampments becoming impromptu birthing centers. These centers lack trained medical personnel and adequate resources to support a healthy birth. Without a secure birthing place available, pregnant women are at risk of severe infection during childbirth.
  4. Since October 7, 2023, the rate of pregnant women miscarrying in Gaza has risen 300%, according to the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. About 15% of pregnant women in Gaza require emergency obstetric care to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
  5. Currently in Gaza, 15% of babies born require intensive care. Recent formula shortages and a lack of adequate food for the expectant mothers have caused that number to increase rapidly. It is estimated that 71,000 children in Gaza will need to be treated for malnutrition within the next 11 months.
  6. Several humanitarian organizations have been doing everything they can to provide aid to the women of Gaza. However, they have been facing difficulties due to a blockade. Within the two months of the ceasefire, UNFPA estimates that it reached 146,000 women and girls with reproductive health services. Project HOPE established three antenatal clinics in Gaza, treating women for malnutrition, hepatitis, miscarriage and other afflictions.

Conclusion

Due to the ongoing war, Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, including the remaining hospitals in Rafah and Khan Younis, further worsening the current pregnancy crisis in Gaza. With support from UNFPA and Project HOPE, the current humanitarian crisis and its effects can be reversed.

– Zoe Alatsas

Zoe is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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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