Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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The Synonymity of Disability and Poverty in Burundi

Disability and Poverty in BurundiBurundi is a country that struggles with health care access and resources for people with disabilities. It has staggering poverty rates, with “87% of the population living below the World Bank’s poverty measure,” according to the U.S. Department of State.

Disability and Poverty in Burundi

With only 14.78% of its population living in urban areas, Burundi is the least urbanized country in Africa. As such, Burundi relies on small-scale farming to maintain its economy. This means that financial well-being is directly connected to physical ability. For many Burundians who experience limitations, this way of life makes it extremely difficult to support themselves.

While the exact metrics for Burundians with disabilities have not been adequately documented, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 10-15% of any given country’s population experiences some form of disability. Due to the country’s limited health care system, many Burundians with physical disabilities are not being adequately treated or given solutions to compensate for a lack of mobility, which makes them unable to work.

In an economy that values labor as a commodity, disability is synonymous with poverty, and the statistics support this. According to the National Library of Medicine, “68% of men and 75% of women with disability were affected by multidimensional poverty compared to 54% and 46% of their peers without disability.”

Emerging Solutions

In 2014, Burundi ratified the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Burundian Constitution was revised to include Article 22, which “reaffirms the protection and equality of everyone before the law and that no one may be subject to discrimination, including, among others, on the ground of disability.”

Legislation like this is a tremendous step in the right direction to ensure that Burundians with disabilities can dispel stigma and discrimination to open up opportunities for themselves in the workforce. Financial stability is an important component of ensuring that people with disabilities are afforded the same respect as nondisabled persons.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is also striving to improve the treatment of those with disabilities in Burundi. With a specific focus on youth, the organization makes it its mission to study how children with disabilities face social exclusion, barriers to equal education, and inaccessibility to social services. Furthermore, its strategy is to prepare the next generation to be more inclusive and understanding of their peers.

Conclusion

Efforts from both the government and organizations like UNICEF protect the rights of people living with a disability and in poverty in Burundi, while challenging the discrimination that hinders social acceptance. 

– Zoey Kartchner

Zoey is based in Tempe, AZ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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People Living With HIV/AIDS in Samoa

HIV/AIDS in SamoaHIV/AIDS places a heavy burden on the health care system of Samoa, which already is known to operate with limited resources. Managing the disease requires consistent access to antiretroviral therapy, testing and long-term care services that are costly and not always easily accessible. These costs can lead to financial hardship for affected families, driving them deeper into poverty. Additionally, as individuals become too ill to work, household incomes shrink and national productivity declines.

Health Care Capacity: Data-Driven Constraints

As of 2022, Samoa allocates 6.3 % of its gross domestic product (GDP) to health, one of the highest rates among Pacific Island nations, compared to a global average of 9.8%. However, this spending is stretched: the government covers approximately 75% of that, with external aid contributing 13% and out-of-pocket spending comprising 11%.

Despite this investment, Samoa’s health workforce remains critically low, with only 0.55 physicians per 1,000 people. This falls far below the global average of 1.7 and the European Union’s 4.1 per 1,000. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 2.5 medical professionals (including nurses, midwives and physicians) per 1,000 people, yet Samoa’s national average remains below that. Rural areas fare worse, with just one health worker per 1,000 people, while some urban centers report up to eight per 1,000, according to International Health Strategies.

The imbalance means rural communities are underserved, central hospitals are overburdened and preventive outreach is limited. Faced with a dual disease burden, noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and rising infectious threats like HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) limit the workforce and curtail Samoa’s ability to mount widespread prevention and treatment campaigns.

HIV/AIDS in Samoa

As of the most recent public reports, Samoa has reported only 12 individuals living with HIV, all receiving antiretroviral treatment and in stable health, with no new locally acquired cases since 2020. A national population of approximately 216,000 (2023) means HIV prevalence is 0.005%, far below the Western Pacific regional average of 0.1%. Since 1990, 24 total cases have been recorded, with 11 still living as of the 2016 UNAIDS report. Still, low testing rates, 4–5 % of the population yearly, suggest some infections may go undetected.

People living with HIV/AIDS in Samoa often face significant stigma, leading to discrimination in their workplace and their communities. This social exclusion contributes to job loss and a lack of access to support services. This traps individuals in cycles of poverty. In a small economy, where every job counts, the loss of employment due to health-related stigma is especially damaging.

Global Support and Development Goals

International aid has been vital in Samoa’s fight against HIV/AIDS, funding prevention and treatment efforts that also strengthen education and health care. Viewing HIV as both a health and development issue makes aid more impactful and sustainable.

A key project supporting Samoa’s HIV response is the Global Fund–backed Multi-Country Western Pacific Integrated HIV/TB Program. It was implemented by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and Samoa’s Ministry of Health. The program focuses on testing, prevention, treatment and community outreach across 12 Pacific nations.

Conclusion

HIV/AIDS in Samoa is more than just a medical concern. It is a challenge that intersects poverty, social justice and economic development. Combating the epidemic requires medicine, education, compassion and strong international partnerships.

– DeMarlo Jon Gray

DeMarlo is based in Long Beach, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Colton Dixon Uses Music To Fight Poverty and Inequality

Colton DixonDove Award-winning music artist Colton Dixon is using his voice and platform to spread hope and alleviate poverty. He’s partnering with organizations like Mercy Ships and Compassion International, making a difference, one step at a time.

Partnering With Mercy Ships To Bring Healing

In Dixon’s song “Build a Boat,” he partners with Mercy Ships to create the music video that shows the lives of two twins being changed and the boat Global Mercy being built. Dixon hopes to open more people’s minds to the idea that they are capable of doing anything.

Mercy Ships is a nonprofit organization that builds and operates hospital ships to deliver medical care to those without access. The charity addresses poverty by providing health care essentials and care services to some of the world’s most underserved communities. Operating in countries with limited health care infrastructure, Mercy Ships offers free surgical care and dental services, as well as medical training to local professionals in developing nations.

By delivering health care to impoverished communities and training local professionals, Mercy Ships helps alleviate suffering, improve health outcomes and enhance host countries’ capacity to provide medical care.

Championing Child Sponsorship With Compassion International

Dixon has also supported Compassion International through multiple tours and by spreading the word with his music. Compassion International is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty through child sponsorship and holistic care. During his “Build a Boat” tour, Dixon partnered with Compassion International and celebrated 1,000 sponsored children.

Compassion International combats poverty by partnering with local churches to deliver holistic child-centered support that spans nutrition education, health care, emotional care and spiritual guidance. Rooted in a Christ-centered mission, its model reaches more than 2.3 million children in 29 countries, helping them build resilience and fostering long-term community impact. By equipping children with resources and mentorship, the charity not only improves individual lives but also creates ripple effects of change as graduates return to uplift their communities.

Dixon has also made an impact in the fight against poverty by partnering with Compassion International through various tours, including “A Night with Colton Dixon,” set for this spring. His 2023 Love and Light tour also gave children in need the opportunity to be sponsored. These events not only featured inspiring music and personal stories but also encouraged the audience to give. This resulted in hundreds of lives being transformed. By combining entertainment with support for poverty, Dixon continues to use his platform to raise awareness.

Conclusion

Through heartfelt music, powerful partnerships and a commitment to uplifting those in need, Dixon proves that advocacy doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with using your platform to inspire action by joining forces with organizations like Mercy Ships and Compassion International. He not only changes lives but empowers others to do the same. His journey reminds us that hope, compassion and purpose-driven art can truly shape a better world.

– Karisma Polly

Karisma is based in Sunrise, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health, Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Healthy Learners: Zambia’s School Health Program

Zambia’s School Health ProgramA Grade 4 pupil in Lusaka coughs during maths class. Instead of sending her home, a teacher, now a trained School Health Worker, opens a tablet, runs through a WHO‑style checklist, dispenses deworming pills, logs the visit and, if needed, fast‑tracks her to a clinic. The entire effort is part of Zambia’s Healthy Learners School Health Program and averages just $1.51 per child per year, which is less than 1% of what the Ministry of Education already spends per pupil.

The Poverty Trap: Preventable Illness = Lost Learning

Worm infections, vitamin A deficiency and other routine ailments quietly siphon school days and future earnings for Zambian children. Absenteeism forces caregivers to miss work too. By moving first‑line care into classrooms, Zambia’s Healthy Learners School Health Program targets that cycle where it begins: illness that keeps kids out of class.

Clinic in a Classroom: How the Model Works

Healthy Learners partners with the Ministries of Health and Education to train and equip teachers as School Health Workers. In 598 public primary schools, more than 5,300 teachers now use a mobile app (built with THINKMD). The app mirrors physician logic to triage, treat mild conditions (deworming, vitamin A, first aid) and fast‑track severe cases to clinics, plugging schools straight into the national health system.

The Numbers That Matter

  • Reach: More than 830,000 students served, about a quarter of Zambia’s public primary school population, with a goal of 2.2 million by 2028.
  • Health Gains: A study found a 38% drop in disease morbidity, a 48% jump in both deworming and vitamin A coverage, a 22% rise in health knowledge and a 52% reduction in the odds of stunting.

These improvements mean fewer sick days now and more substantial earning potential later.

Small Price, Massive Payoff

After an initial setup cost of $10 to $15 per child, the ongoing cost falls to about $1.50 thanks to economies of scale and government integration. That frugality is why Zambia’s Healthy Learners School Health Program is financially realistic for national ownership and replicable elsewhere.

In 2022, the Ministries of Health and Education signed an MoU to scale the program nationally, embedding data systems and training inside state structures. Spring Impact highlights this “design for integration” as the core reason the model can scale without ballooning costs.

A Call to Action

Zambia’s Healthy Learners School Health Program is a ready‑made template for any country where schools reach kids more reliably than clinics.

A child walks back to class, symptoms eased, lesson saved. Indeed, one tablet tap at a time, Zambia’s Healthy Learners School Health Program is proving that health in schools is one of the cheapest, most innovative ways to fight poverty.

– Arabella D’Aniello

Arabella is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Vaccinations in Africa: How Gavi Advances Economic Development

Vaccinations in AfricaFor decades, Africa has faced a dangerous dependency: carrying some of the world’s highest disease burdens while producing less than 1% of its vaccines. This reliance on imports has long limited access to life-saving vaccinations in Africa, slowing responses to health emergencies and straining national development across the continent.

To reshape this narrative, Gavi, the Global Vaccine Alliance, is laying the foundations for a thriving, self-sustaining vaccine economy for the continent. Through continental partnerships, investments and innovations, the international organization created to ensure vaccine security is working to transform African health policy. The goal is to shift it from a long-standing area of weakness into a pillar of long-term economic strength.

Initiating Local Manufacturing

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the risks of global supply chain disruptions and the weakness of economies reliant on vaccine importation. Many African countries struggled to access vaccines in the early rollout, sparking calls for regional self-reliance. In response, the African Union set a bold goal: to produce 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs locally by 2040, with Gavi central to achieving that ambition.

Through initiatives like the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, Gavi is shaping markets, lowering barriers and mobilizing funding to grow production capacity across the continent. More than 30 African vaccine manufacturing initiatives are now in motion, supported by a mix of government leadership and international investment. These efforts aim to build a sustainable, locally based supply of vaccines for routine immunizations. By producing vaccines within the continent, Africa is taking direct action to reduce its dependence on external sources and strengthen its resilience against future global health crises.

The strength of Gavi’s procurement and demand-forecasting models is crucial to growing an African vaccine economy. It allows local producers to see and rely on predictable, long-term vaccine demand figures. This crucial step sustains the development of a successful and relevant supply chain of vaccines within Africa, ensuring the local industries remain viable and successful as the continent builds to its 2040 goal.

Economic Growth Through Immunization

Gavi’s core mission of expanding access to immunization has driven development in Africa far beyond vaccine manufacturing. Vaccinations across Africa continue to deliver strong economic benefits, improving public health while boosting productivity and long-term growth. Healthier populations lead to fewer missed school days, lower health care costs and higher workforce productivity. According to Gavi, every $1 spent on vaccinations in Africa yields up to $21 in economic benefit through avoided illness, improved wages and long-term growth.

Since its inception in 2000, Gavi’s efforts have helped immunize more than 800 million children, averting more than 14 million deaths. In Africa alone, since 2000, coverage of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) vaccine across Gavi-supported African countries has increased from 52% to more than 70%. By building health systems around vaccine delivery, such as training workers, investing in cold chains and digitizing records, Gavi has strengthened public infrastructure in regions where such systems are often underfunded. This progress has not only saved lives but also helped countries make strides toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Toward a Resilient Vaccine Future

A more secure future for African public health begins with Gavi’s support for the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator. This initiative not only increases vaccine supply but also strengthens regional resilience against future pandemics. This resilience, however, is seen as only the starting point for an African vaccination economic sector. The developmental transition of African nations from Gavi support to self-financed immunization programs is hoping to create not just independence but also leadership in global health manufacturing.

In this vision, Gavi in Africa is more than a health initiative; it is an economic strategy, a security policy and a development model. As African-made vaccines begin protecting African communities, the continent moves closer to a future where health equity and economic strength go hand in hand.

– Tom Finighan

Tom is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Hidden Burden of Depression in Africa

Depression in AfricaDepression is a word that embodies profound pain, despair and societal stigma. Despite growing mental health awareness, mental illness remains misunderstood as a sign of personal weakness. The reality is that depression can lead to suicide, which claims more than 700,000 lives worldwide every year. Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD), a subset of major depressive disorder unresponsive to at least two treatments, affects approximately one-third of depression sufferers, raising suicide risk and posing a global concern.

In Africa, the situation is particularly acute. The continent has the highest suicide rate in the world, at 11 per 100,000 people, compared to nine globally. It is estimated that more than 20 million individuals in Africa have depression, representing 9% of the global burden. North, West and Central Africa are particularly affected, grappling with fragile health care systems, conflicts, stigma and limited mental health services.

The Central African Republic (CAR) has one of the highest suicide rates worldwide, often linked to untreated depression. In contrast, Nigeria has more than seven million sufferers. Even in better-resourced countries like Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, depression rates remain high.

Africa’s Mental Health Crisis

Mental health systems in Africa are underfunded. African governments allocate less than $0.50 per person annually to mental health. This is far below the recommended $2 per capita for low-income countries. In 2020, only 94 mental health outpatient visits were recorded per 100,000 people compared to 2,001 worldwide, indicating a lack of formal treatment access for most Africans with mental health issues.

In West and Central Africa, psychiatric hospitals are scarce and located in large cities. The situation is further complicated by conflicts in Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), CAR and Libya, where many health facilities have been destroyed or are difficult to access. On average, sub-Saharan Africa has just one psychiatrist per million people. Specialists are often concentrated in capitals or major cities, leaving rural populations underserved. Patients usually face long-distance travel costs to tertiary hospitals, which are cost-prohibitive for many and rely on general practitioners with limited psychiatric training.

Furthermore, antidepressants and psychotropic drugs are often out of stock or unaffordable for many patients. According to the WHO, more than 75% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries, including most of Africa, receive no treatment for depression. Second-line TRD treatments, such as atypical antipsychotics and dopaminergic drugs, are rarely stocked in public health facilities or private clinics in Sudan, South Sudan, Niger, Mali and CAR. Even in Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana, which have better health care infrastructures, access to these treatments remains limited to tertiary referral hospitals in major cities, with frequent shortages.

Initiatives Addressing Mental Health in Africa

Despite challenges, promising efforts are underway, from policy reforms to community-led interventions.

  • Policy Reforms. Several countries have begun updating policies to prioritize mental health. Nigeria, for example, passed its first national Mental Health Act in 2023, replacing the colonial-era lunacy law. The legislation aims to improve access to mental health services and protect patients’ rights. It includes the creation of a Mental Health Department within the Ministry of Health and integrating mental health services into primary care. The Act also prohibits discriminatory and outdated practices like chaining or arbitrarily detaining individuals with mental disorders.
  • Community-Led Initiatives. StrongMinds, an NGO operating in Uganda and Zambia, uses group interpersonal therapy led by trained lay counsellors to address depression, particularly among women in low-income communities. Since 2013, StrongMinds has treated more than one million people. Addressing untreated depression helps break cycles of poverty, food insecurity, trauma and disruption. Strongminds also works with governments and other NGOs to incorporate mental health services into food security, health care and education programs. It intends to expand across Africa over the next decade. The International Medical Corps (IMC) also plays a crucial role. In Mali, IMC supports more than 100 health facilities and mobile clinics across northern and central regions. The IMC provides primary and mental health care. It offers psychosocial support alongside services for gender-based violence and nutrition. In CAR, IMC provides mental health consultations through health centers and mobile clinics in underserved areas, trains local health workers and community leaders to support those in distress and publishes educational booklets on mental health. IMC also collaborates with National Ministries of Health and Community-Based Organizations, ensuring its integrated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) efforts respond to crises and build long-term resilient communities.

Conclusion

Depression in Africa is not just a personal struggle but a public health emergency driven by limited funding, poor access to care and deep-rooted stigma. With suicide rates among the highest globally and millions untreated, the call for action is urgent. Expanding community care, improving mental health training and ensuring access to essential medications are critical.

– Juliette Delbarre

Juliette is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ending Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission in Botswana

Mother-To-Child HIV TransmissionIn a landmark achievement for global health, Botswana has become the first country with a high HIV burden to earn the World Health Organization’s (WHO) prestigious Gold Tier certification for eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. As of 2023, Botswana has reduced vertical HIV transmission rates to just 1.2%, with fewer than 100 babies born with HIV annually. This is a remarkable feat given the country’s previously severe HIV epidemic.

A Triumph Against the Odds

Botswana has long been one of the nations hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, with adult prevalence rates among the highest in the world. Yet, through committed public health efforts, the country has demonstrated that even in high-prevalence settings, eliminating new pediatric HIV infections is achievable.

The WHO’s Gold Tier status is awarded to countries that meet rigorous criteria for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission, including maintaining transmission rates below 2% and sustaining this achievement over time. Botswana’s attainment of this status is a testament to its effective health policies, strong political will and dedicated community programs.

Keys to Success: Universal Treatment and Comprehensive Care

Central to Botswana’s success has been the provision of universal free antiretroviral treatment (ART) to all pregnant women living with HIV. This policy ensures that pregnant women receive the medication necessary to suppress the virus, drastically reducing the chance of passing HIV to their babies.

Moreover, Botswana boasts high rates of antenatal care attendance and widespread HIV testing among pregnant women. Early diagnosis and continuous monitoring throughout pregnancy enable timely intervention and care adjustments, maximizing the chances of a healthy, HIV-free birth.

Complementing clinical care, robust community-based health programs have played a critical role. These programs provide education, support and follow-up services, ensuring that women stay engaged in treatment and adhere to prescribed regimens.

A Model for the World

Botswana’s achievement in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission not only saves countless children from HIV but also offers a blueprint for other countries facing high HIV burdens. It challenges the notion that eliminating vertical transmission is unattainable in resource-limited, high-prevalence environments. The country’s success underscores the power of integrating free, accessible health care services with community engagement and strong political commitment. It also highlights the importance of sustained investments in maternal and child health programs.

While Botswana’s milestone is cause for celebration, continued vigilance is essential. Maintaining low transmission rates requires ongoing support for pregnant women, access to ART and community outreach. Indeed, Botswana’s experience demonstrates that with the right strategies and resources, the goal of an HIV-free generation is within reach, even in the most challenging settings.

As global health organizations and countries worldwide strive to eliminate pediatric HIV, Botswana stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with determination and comprehensive care, vertical transmission of HIV can be stopped.

– Meagan Beaver

Meagan is based in Zephyrhills, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Combating Dengue Fever in Indonesia

Dengue Fever in IndonesiaDengue fever, a mosquito-borne illness, causes severe muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and in extreme cases, death. This disease, often simply called dengue, is endemic in Indonesia, where it kills hundreds of people annually. Dengue cases spiked in 2024, forcing Indonesia to address the growing public health issue.

According to the Indonesian Health Ministry, nearly 250,000 Indonesians contracted dengue in 2024. The virus claimed 1,418 lives that year. Despite a swift government response that continues through today, dengue remains a serious public health threat. By examining how Indonesia is combating dengue fever in impoverished communities, we can also learn how to fight it in other countries.

How Dengue Fever Impacts Impoverished Communities in Indonesia

Mosquitoes easily infiltrate the porous, open housing common in Indonesia’s low-income communities, making it easier for dengue to spread. Families in these areas are also more likely to work outdoors, increasing their exposure to mosquitoes, unlike higher-income earners who often work in air-conditioned offices. Although Indonesian law mandates paid sick leave for all workers, including those with dengue, deaths still occur.

For struggling families, the loss of income from illness can be financially devastating and the death of a loved one brings intense emotional pain. Severe dengue cases often come with high out-of-pocket medical costs. When hospitalizations surge, public hospitals, relied on by low-income communities, can become overcrowded. This strains medical staff and reduces their ability to treat other life-threatening conditions, leading to increased deaths even when dengue itself is under control.

What Indonesia Did To Combat Dengue Fever in 2024

  1. Multisource Collaborative Surveillance. This sophisticated system enables public health professionals to collect and analyze diverse data sources. It allows for a more accurate prediction of where disease outbreaks, like dengue fever, may occur. This approach plays a critical role in Indonesia’s efforts to fight dengue, especially in low-income communities.
  2. Wolbachia Mosquito Technology. The government of Indonesia has begun using Wolbachia-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a bacterium that reduces the virus’s ability to replicate. This initiative is part of a broader government plan to achieve zero dengue deaths by 2030.
  3. The 3 Ms Program. The Indonesian government continues to promote this strategy as a practical way for communities to help control the spread of dengue. Citizens are encouraged to drain water containers regularly, cover water storage and recycle items that can collect standing water, which serves as a mosquito breeding ground.
  4. Vaccination. Indonesia has rolled out dengue vaccinations in local schools, targeting children as a key prevention group. Vaccination remains one of the safest and most effective ways to prevent severe dengue infections. The QDENGA vaccine, used in the country’s efforts, is developed by Takeda, a Japanese biopharmaceutical company with more than 70 years of industry experience.

Summary

Indonesia is tackling dengue fever in low-income communities through advanced technology and community-based solutions. From Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and data-driven surveillance to school vaccinations and the 3 Ms Program, the country targets the virus and the conditions that allow it to spread. Though challenges persist, these efforts offer a practical model for other countries battling dengue.

– Jeff Mathwig

Jeff is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Diseases Impacting South Africa

Diseases Impacting South AfricaIn 2023, data that the World Bank published showed that 55% of South Africans as living below the poverty line. Of those South Africans experiencing poverty, a 2023 national study found these citizens were twice as at risk of the communicable disease HIV. For the southernmost nation on the African continent, existing diseases are separated into two categories: communicable and non-communicable. Despite easy transmission of communicable diseases, 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) statistics show that non-communicable diseases account for 51% of all national deaths. With high prevalence rates of both infection varieties among those experiencing poverty, the stifling effects of Apartheid policy remain central within the national struggle to curb diseases impacting South Africa.

Communicable Diseases 

The three most prevalent communicable diseases impacting South Africa are malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS. Malaria mitigation strategies have been largely successful. In line with the 2021 Global Technical Strategy (GTS) for Malaria, WHO found that the number of South Africans at risk dropped to a low 10% of the population that same year. In South Africa, particularly the Kwazulu-Natal district, which contains one of the highest incidence rates of TB around the world, TB impacted 427 of 100,000 people in 2023. Positively, this incidence rate has fallen since 2021, where TB affected 512 per 100,000 citizens.

Following the United Nations (UN) AIDS 95-95-95 target, South Africa has also made promising strides in HIV/AIDS mitigation. Though 2023 figures show that 16.3% of South Africans are living with HIV, screenings and treatment have improved. Striving towards this 95-95-95 UN target, 94% of South Africans living with HIV knew their diagnosis, 79% were receiving treatment and 91% were being virally suppressed in 2021.

Non-Communicable Diseases 

The other half of diseases impacting South Africa are non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes. In 2021, the collective incidence rate for these particular NCDs stood at 1,301 per 100,000 people. Obesity, which increases the risk for these NCDs, represents another health indicator impacting South African morbidity. Along with WHO’s other findings, it found that 30.8% of the adult population suffered from obesity in 2022, up from 2021.

Health System

The national healthcare system mainly initiates response to diseases impacting South Africa. The Department of Health’s inadequate health care response is typically pinpointed to policy carried over from the nation’s apartheid era. After the 1994 end to apartheid law, the government faced the ongoing challenge of restructuring the health care system. Despite this, the WHO has projected that 6.2 million citizens should experience universal health coverage by the end of this year. This number represents a steady, sharp increase from 2021 where only 1.8 million retained universal health care access. 

Impact of Poverty 

A 2023 study conducted with support from the South African government articulated that HIV, one of the most nationally prevalent communicable diseases, affects those living in townships twice as severely as those living elsewhere. Townships are South African neighborhoods inhabited primarily by those experiencing poverty. The study found that socioeconomic factors like access to stable housing and quality education do increase the odds of HIV infection and reduce the likelihood of access to testing and care. The researchers recommended a mitigation strategy that includes policy towards improving education and living quality.

Another national study from 2021 asserted that to address the reality of health care inaccessibility due to societal inequities, there needs to be cohesive efforts from multiple actors. The study calls on the necessity of both government and non-state intervention.

Doctors Without Borders

One international organization working diligently against the spread and prevalence of disease in South Africa is Doctors Without Borders (MSF). With the United States currently slashing its funding of South Africa’s TB and HIV/AIDS research programs, MSF has been vital in calling upon international donors, organizations and philanthropists to direct funds towards these life-saving research initiatives. Actors like the South African Department of Health and MSF rely on these funds to help develop promising vaccines and treatments for those experiencing these diseases impacting South Africa.

In addition to MSF’s TB and HIV/AIDS research, where funding is unsteady, it recently introduced a new project aimed at addressing South African NCDs. In collaboration with South Africa’s Department of Health, MSF has been training health care organizations across the Eastern Cape province of Butterworth. Reaching more than 1,500 people within the region, the project has increased the screening and medical management of NCDs like diabetes and hypertension.

Progress

Though funding cuts from the United States have caused uncertainty about the future of national research and mitigation response, strides in health care coverage and the involvement of organizations like the MSF are promising for the future of eliminating the diseases impacting South Africa. National initiatives for screening and improvements in treatment technologies have greatly improved and have been key in addressing and reducing incidence rates, particularly for the highly prevalent TB. In 2019 alone, testing for TB caused a 28% reduction in incidence.

With organizations and donors allocating funds towards national efforts to fight disease, South Africa will further mitigate the spread and prevalence of such harmful illnesses, particularly for those living in poverty.

– Piper Aweeka

Piper is based in Reno, NV, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Mental Health in Guinea-Bissau

Mental Health in Guinea-BissauIn the small West African country of Guinea-Bissau, rich culture and strong tradition mask a growing crisis, mental health neglect. Among the most prevalent conditions are depression and anxiety, often left unaddressed due to systemic gaps and social stigma.

A System Without Specialists

As of 2017, Guinea-Bissau had zero practicing psychiatrists. The country’s ratio of just 0.13 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants falls far below global standards for basic health care. This shows that mental health support is almost absent from the primary care setting. Additionally, a screening of adults attending general health facilities in Guinea-Bissau revealed that at least 12% had a diagnosable mental disorder. This shows the urgent need for integrated mental health services in the nation’s fragile health system.

A baseline study found that general practitioners correctly diagnose only one in three patients, meaning that the people in Guinea-Bissau’s rural communities are unknowingly struggling with mental disorders. They carry a silent weight that forces them to push through each day with far greater effort than others, struggling in isolation just to survive.

Poverty and Psychological Strain

Things such as rising climate anxieties and pandemic poverty are worsening mental health in Guinea-Bissau. In 2021, the poverty rate was reported to have increased by 2.8 percentage points, adding an additional 80,000 poor. Research shows that mental illness reduces employment and therefore income.

Cultural Beliefs and Stigma

Mental health in Guinea-Bissau is often interpreted through a spiritual lens. Communities blame mental issues on things like curses and ancestral wrath. As a result, individuals often look down upon seeking help from medical professionals. Sixty-three percent of rural mothers go to the witchdoctor, and 65% believe that curses have the power to kill. While traditional healers play a vital role in this community, their methods can delay access to cures. Stigma remains a barrier to those suffering silently.

Lending a Helping Hand

This West African nation faces a mounting crisis that demands international attention. Every person deserves access to necessities like mental health care. Guinea-Bissau’s struggle is a global problem; poverty, trauma and neglect reflect broader challenges that low-income countries face worldwide.

Progression Efforts

Mental health in Guinea-Bissau is beginning to see a glimpse of hope in this landscape. International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have stepped in to support the country. Guinea-Bissau’s fragile health system has improved as groups are working to train general health workers in basic psychiatric care.

The NOVAFRICA Knowledge Center is working to strengthen health care in Guinea-Bissau through an inclusive and culturally sensitive approach. Its model brings together modern medical practitioners and traditional healers, including witchdoctors, to bridge trust gaps and improve access to care. By acknowledging and respecting spiritual traditions deeply embedded in the community, NOVAFRICA promotes the acceptance of modern medical practices and helps lay the groundwork for more effective health interventions, including in mental health.

The Path Forward

In collaboration with NGO VIDA, NOVAFRICA supported the launch of a community health insurance program that allows residents to pay affordable premiums in exchange for access to medical care, transportation and essential medicines. Though the country still lacks a national suicide prevention strategy, collaborative efforts between NGOs and local health authorities are laying groundworks for a future policy reform.

Guinea-Bissau’s challenges are steep, but the people are resilient. With continued international support and growing local engagement, the nation is taking its first steps toward a future where the silenced have a voice. Acknowledging, treating and respecting mental health is not just the goal, it is the path to a future defined by dignity and resilience.

– Marissa Schoth

Marissa is based in Benton, LA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash