Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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Francis Kéré’s Survival Architecture and Health Care in Burundi

Health Care in BurundiLate in 2025, Helen Clark, the head of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), gave a speech at the G20 Health Ministerial in South Africa. She said that the architecture underpinning collective health is under immense strain, but also that health is connected to every aspect of shared security and prosperity.

The architecture of health can take both literal and metaphorical forms. Global poverty is one of the biggest threats to a person’s health, and East Africa has historically been one of the poorest regions in the Global South. As a result, many countries in the region are spending more on debt repayments than on health care. Alongside cholera epidemics and vaccine inequality, countries such as Burundi have extremely low health ratings, with a poverty rate of 74.2% and a high maternal mortality rate.

Emmanuel Niyonkuru, a nurse at a local health facility in Burundi, stated that more funding for infrastructure, more training for doctors and nurses and a reliable supply of essential medicines are needed to make the necessary progress.

The Architect

As of March 2026, a new health care facility is underway in Burundi’s Bubanza region, and Francis Kéré, African laureate and winner of the 2022 Pritzker Prize, is the figure behind it. Kéré, often referred to as the “Nobel of Architecture” recipient, was praised by judges for his efforts to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and for helping to develop new infrastructure that prioritizes sustainability.

Kéré’s work demonstrates a commitment to Africa and its topography. He was raised in Burkina Faso in West Africa and has received global recognition for his work. He currently has large-scale projects in countries such as the United States (U.S.), Brazil and Germany. The ethos of his architecture is survival, and he has said that everything he does is born out of necessity.

This new clinic will focus on maternity care and specialized surgical treatment, taking into account the absence of electricity in the region and the acute challenges facing Burundi’s health as one of Africa’s poorest countries.

The Architecture

In 2001, Kéré set out to build the Gando Primary School in the Boulgou area. Different from the concrete and glass buildings of Europe, the primary material involved in the construction of the school was mud bricks. In areas without electricity, these clay bricks are heat-absorbent, allowing the school to remain cool. Kéré aims to use regional knowledge in his architecture, showing commitment to local resources and local techniques.

The Burundi health care facility will follow this pattern, reducing costs through using locally sourced bricks, clay and stone, along with traditional building skills. Alongside providing health care to the region, this approach will also support the regional economy by training local workers. Beyond the building itself, Kéré is building systemic networks of support and stability for the communities that need them.

Looking Ahead

Recent United Nations (U.N.) reports note that the health sector in many African countries remains highly dependent on foreign funding. Funding can take different forms, and addressing global poverty involves both small-scale support for individuals and the larger-scale infrastructure that facilitates it.

Nana Biamah-Ofosu, a Ghanaian British architect and critic, has called Kéré the leading figure of an African renaissance of architecture. She has also stated that learning from Africa as a place of deep knowledge is important for the survival of humanity.

The 3,000-square-meter complex is expected to open in 2026, improving access to health care in Burundi.

– Grace Sandall

Grace is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabwe

Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabw Zimbabwe’s Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic has been among the most severe globally, shaped by decades of social, economic and structural pressures. At the turn of the 21st century, the country faced one of the highest HIV prevalence rates worldwide, with an estimated 1.3 million people living with the virus. The epidemic has strained families, eroded the workforce and pushed public health services to their limits. Although sustained national efforts and global partnerships have driven major progress, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Global AIDS Update 2022 warns that prevention gains are now faltering, with inequalities continuing to fuel new infections in high-burden countries.

Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabwe

In February 2026, Zimbabwe became one of the first countries in Africa to introduce Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV-prevention drug developed by Gilead Sciences. Administered only twice a year, Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe marks a major milestone in the region’s response to HIV. The rollout positions Zimbabwe at the forefront of next-generation prevention strategies, offering a discreet and highly effective alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Health officials and global health bodies have welcomed the introduction. Zimbabwe’s Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora described Lenacapavir as a new approach, noting that it offers a less complicated method compared with daily oral PrEP.

While daily oral PrEP has been available for years, its impact has been limited by stigma, partner suspicion, unpredictable schedules and social scrutiny. A survey conducted by The Lancet found that 51% of participants held discriminatory attitudes toward HIV and reported shame of association.

A discreet biannual injection removes many of these barriers. As one early recipient explained, clients often misinterpreted PrEP pills as HIV treatment, leading to stigma and lost income, a challenge that the injection avoids.

Constance Mukoloka, one of the first recipients, said the injection makes her “feel safe” and able to “work with confidence,” explaining that daily PrEP pills often created tension with clients and were difficult to take consistently.

A Tool for High-Risk Groups

Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe is significant for vulnerable communities, particularly adolescent girls, young women, sex workers and other high-risk groups who face disproportionate vulnerability to new infections. Its introduction signals a shift in HIV prevention strategy, particularly in regions where incidence remains high despite decades of progress. Early evidence from large-scale trials shows that more than 99% of participants remained HIV negative while on the twice-yearly regimen, underscoring its potential to overcome adherence challenges that have previously undermined daily oral PrEP uptake.

Although national HIV prevalence has declined significantly over the past two decades, women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate share of new infections, driven by structural inequalities, gender-based violence and economic precarity.

The rollout has also sparked public debate, as some community voices celebrate the new treatment while others raise concerns about access, affordability and the need for transparent communication to build trust in long-acting biomedical prevention. As global partners such as the U.S. government and the Global Fund frame this as a landmark in innovation and health system strengthening, Zimbabwe may become a critical test case for how long-acting PrEP can be scaled equitably across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Early Evidence and Implementation

Early pilot programs indicate that Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe has seen strong uptake, with clinics reporting that the simplified regimen is easier to manage, reduces drop-off rates and integrates smoothly into existing reproductive health services. These findings mirror broader regional trends, as early adopters across Africa have seen strong interest in Lenacapavir even before full national rollout. Public health experts argue that the injection could significantly reduce new infections if scaled nationally, especially in rural areas where clinic visits are infrequent and transport costs are high. Several states are already exploring similar pathways.

Looking Ahead

Zimbabwe’s decision to move early on long-acting PrEP signals a broader shift in global health leadership. Rather than waiting for donor-driven adoption cycles, the country is asserting itself as a regional pioneer in HIV-prevention innovation. The rollout is supported by partnerships including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, but Zimbabwe’s strong HIV-response infrastructure, having already met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, has enabled rapid integration of the new technology.

In a region where HIV remains a leading cause of mortality, the introduction of a discreet, effective and user-friendly prevention tool represents a meaningful step forward. It offers new autonomy to individuals who face stigma or safety risks when using visible prevention methods, strengthens health system efficiency and demonstrates African leadership in adopting public health technologies.

– Max Kenway

Max is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Diagnostic Tampons: Fighting Cervical Cancer in Latin America

Cervical Cancer Latin AmericaCervical cancer represents one of the most pressing yet preventable crises in global health. It remains the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with 94% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, a stark testament to the role that inequality plays in who survives this disease. Indigenous women bear a disproportionate share of this burden, with some of the highest incidence rates concentrated in Central America.

Positively, vaccines for this disease are extremely effective, when administered at a young age HPV vaccine prevents infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has the goal to reduce the number of annual cases of cervical cancer to fewer than four per 100,000 women. Despite having such effective vaccines, a major issue lies with the accessibility and distribution of diagnostic tests and the subsequent intervention provision.

Cervical Cancer in Latin America

While the WHO’s elimination goal is ambitious, the reality for Latin America tells a different story – cervical cancer deaths in the region are projected to surpass 51,500 by 2030, with 89% of those occurring in Latin America and the Caribbean. Women across the region feel the burden. In El Salvador, 2.53 million women aged 15 and older are at risk of developing cervical cancer, representing a significant proportion of the country’s 6.3 million population.

The picture is similarly concerning in Guatemala, where 6.10 million women face the same risk out of a population of 18.6 million. Compounding this, HPV vaccination coverage in Guatemala stands at just 35%, with only 15% of individuals completing their final dose. El Salvador fares only marginally better at 43%, a figure that still falls well short of the WHO’s 90% target.

An example of how improved vaccination rates reduce prevalence and mortality together can be observed from Costa Rica. Here the Crude incidence rates sit at 14.4 for females with HPV-related cancers.

Prevention

A recurring challenge across the region is lack of awareness surrounding HPV, its link to cervical cancer, and the safety of available vaccines. In many indigenous and rural communities, misinformation and limited access to health education contribute to the low vaccination uptake seen in countries like Guatemala and El Salvador. Addressing this through community-led outreach and culturally sensitive health programs could be a foundational step towards closing the gap.

The Cervical Cancer Foundation works in collaboration with non-profits to lobby for legislative change and vitally provide health training to educate communities on the importance of HPV screening and available vaccines. Crucially, they provide cervical cancer prevention strategies within Latin America to aid in the reduction of this gap. With financial support from the Union of International Cancer Control, they aim to train more than 200 health educators from El Salvador to Costa Rica.

Screening

Yet even when education and vaccination efforts improve, a separate challenge remains: screening. The WHO’s elimination framework calls for screening of 70% of women with high-performance tests by the age of 35 and again by 45. In much of Latin America, this target is still far due to a shortage of trained gynaecologists, limited clinical infrastructure and the geographic remoteness of many at-risk communities. This is where an emerging technology may offer a meaningful solution- the diagnostic tampon.

A recent and applicable advancement for HPV has been analysed and assessed for usage in other LMIC’s. For example, in Tanzania, the use of diagnostic tampons has emerged as a promising, accurate method for cervical cancer screening. This reduces the need for trips to far or inaccessible hospitals for rural communities and those most at risk.

Studies comparing the accuracy of diagnostic tampons with clinician-collected samples for detecting HPV further corroborate this, demonstrating that use of diagnostic tampons has an overall accuracy of 95%, proving an easily implementable and highly specific screening tool.

Looking ahead

The diagnostic tampon is not a standalone solution. Eliminating cervical cancer in Latin America could require sustained investment across the entire health care system- from early education and vaccine distribution mechanisms to clinical infrastructure. However, this diagnostic tampon does represent significant advancements: practical and high-accuracy screening tools which meet women where they are rather than navigating systems which have historically excluded them. Thus, integrating this screening tool into existing public health frameworks, further backed by education, political will and adequate funding, offers a credible path towards turning the tide on one of the more preventable cancers.

– Juliette Dall’Aglio

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

Photo: Flickr

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Yemen’s Health Care Amid Conflict

yemen's health careThe Republic of Yemen has been in civil war since 2014, pitting the Iran-backed Houthi movement against a Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally recognized government. This has led to the systematic collapse of formal health care. The Houthis are running a quasi-state in the north that exploits aid as a tool of political control. With hospitals destroyed and clinics inaccessible, Yemen’s private pharmacists diagnose conditions, dispense prescription medications without oversight and provide basic medical advice. Yemen could formalize pharmacists’ expanded role through tiered licensing, basic diagnostic training and integration with telemedicine networks.

Conflict, Funding Collapse and Deliberate Obstruction

The Trump administration labeled the Houthis as a terrorist organization in 2025, causing U.S. funding to decrease. This was meant to pressure the Houthis, but it punished ordinary Yemenis instead, scaring away donors and giving NGOs legal exposure for any activity that could be construed as materially supporting the Houthis.

Human Rights Watch documented how the Houthis’ systematic detention of aid workers is deepening Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe. As of early January 2026, at least 69 U.N. staff (all Yemeni nationals) and dozens of staff from international and local NGOs have been arbitrarily detained since mid-2024, with arrests occurring in several waves. The arrests, combined with office raids and the seizure of equipment have effectively paralysed aid operations in Houthi-controlled areas. The U.N. suspended operations in Saada entirely – the majority of Saada’s population has moved from crisis level to emergency level food insecurity in that period.

The World Food Program (WFP) announced in January 2026 that it is shutting down its operations in Houthi-controlled northern Yemen entirely. All 365 WFP staff in the region will have their contracts terminated by the end of March. Northern Yemen accounts for around 70% of the country’s humanitarian requirements, and more than 18 million people were already at risk of acute food insecurity, with tens of thousands facing famine-like conditions. An estimated 4.8 million people remain internally displaced across Yemen as a whole.

A Broken System Looking for a Fix

Yemen’s health care operates in a legal and institutional vacuum. The government, currently based in Aden under the Presidential Leadership Council, nominally controls the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP), which retains legal authority over health care. Any formal tiered licensing system would need MoPHP sign-off to have legal standing. The practical problem is that MoPHP’s writ does not run in Houthi-controlled areas (most of the north, including Sana’a), where a parallel health bureaucracy has operated since around 2016.

Launched in September 2024 in Aden, Yemen’s National Quality of Health Care Strategy 2025–2030 is a joint initiative between WHO and Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health and Population. It aims to improve the quality, safety and equity of health services across the country despite the ongoing challenges of conflict, poverty and weak infrastructure. Furthermore, it has the support of seven years of collaboration between WHO, MoPHP and the World Bank’s International Development Association, with current implementation supported through the Emergency Human Capital Project, which could be a major funding vessel. WHO and MoPHP should co-develop a short-form pharmacist diagnostic certificate and acknowledge honestly that MoPHP cannot certify in Houthi territory, so NGOs operating there would need to serve as the de facto credentialing body on a provisional basis.

Medicine Availability: The Data

A peer-reviewed academic study involved researchers who surveyed 30 health care facilities across 13 districts in three southern Yemeni governorates (Aden, Lahij, and Abyan) between November 2017 and February 2018. On average, only 52.8% of essential medicines were available across all facilities – well below the WHO’s voluntary target of 80%.

  • Private pharmacies had the best availability at nearly 80%;
  • Private hospitals around 73%, because they are commercially supplied;
  • Public hospitals came in at 53%;
  • Public health care centres involved availability at just 19% – ⅘ essential medicines were not on the shelves.

Yemen imports 80-90% of its medicines, and the conflict has severely disrupted supply chains, destroyed infrastructure, and caused economic collapse.

With the WFP’s withdrawal from the north, Houthi detention of aid workers continuing and the conflict destroying health infrastructure, the formal system is contracting further while need accelerates. Yemen’s southern governorates, more accessible and more stable than the north, offer a viable starting point. A tiered licensing framework, negotiated between the internationally recognized government and established NGO networks, could begin there. Understanding Yemen’s health care means understanding what happens when a health system disappears entirely.

– Anisa Begum

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

Photo: Flickr

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Mental Health Resources in Uganda

Mental Health Resources in UgandaUganda has an international poverty rate of almost 60% as of 2019. With so many people living in poverty, the mental health crisis in Uganda is serious. Poverty raises rates of depression and anxiety, while Uganda’s history of civil conflict has also increased cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As one of the top six countries in Africa with the highest rates of people suffering from depressive disorders, Uganda’s mental health care system is overcrowded and struggling to keep up with the country’s needs.

However, programs have been developed to increase mental health resources in Uganda, such as YouBelong Uganda and Pamoja Afya Initiative.

YouBelong Uganda

Founded in 2016, YouBelong Uganda works to deinstitutionalize people from mental institutions and focus on support through the community. A major concern surrounding mental health resources in Uganda is that many people become trapped in institutional systems and are unable to reacclimate to their communities. YouBelong uses “The YouBelong linked model of engagement and care [to build] a bridge between the institution and the community.”

A key part of this is that YouBelong provides transport for people from institutions back to their communities. YouBelong also uses government resources to prepare the individual for community life and to prepare the community to best support the individual.

The YouBelong HOME is a section of YouBelong that focuses on addressing the inflow and outflow problems at the national mental institution. It works to reintegrate between 40 and 60 people a month from Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital back into their communities. To reduce inflow to the mental hospital, YouBelong is working to expand resources at local health centers to help people before they reach institutionalization.

YouBelong has several programs under its wing. These programs address issues such as inequalities in mental health care for women, early intervention for children experiencing mental health issues, psychosis and learning from the experiences of those in recovery. YouBelong Uganda is a large organization that works at many levels to increase access to mental health resources in Uganda.

Pamoja Afya Initiative

Pamoja Afya focuses on communities surrounding Uganda’s national parks and was founded in 2024. This organization operates on a much broader scale, covering topics such as water and sanitation, snakebite prevention and coexistence with wildlife. Among its many programs, Pamoja Afya Initiative also has a mental health program that provides targeted interventions to help communities.

The initiative brings awareness to youth in schools about disorders such as depression, substance abuse and PTSD. These awareness programs teach students emotional regulation, healthy coping mechanisms and relationship building. Pamoja Afya also works with teachers to foster a more emotionally safe learning environment. 

It equips teachers with the tools to support their students and themselves. The program also conducts mental health screenings and gives those diagnosed with mental health issues access to resources.

Conclusion

Programs like YouBelong Uganda and Pamoja Afya Initiative are helping bridge the gap in access to proper mental health resources that many Ugandan citizens lack. By giving small communities resources to address mental health problems early on, people are better able to cope with the growing mental health crisis. YouBelong then steps in to help reintegrate people into their communities and get the support they need.

Mental health resources in Uganda are few and far between, but certain organizations are working to increase access for more people.

– Kaitlyn Crane

Kaitlyn is based in Rohnert Park, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Babychecker Transforms Maternal Health Care in Honduras

Maternal Health Care in HondurasIn the heart of Central America’s Northern Triangle, Honduras faces a complex web of challenges. Widespread poverty, recurring hurricanes and deep social inequalities shape the daily lives of its more than 10 million inhabitants. These structural pressures are straining the country’s health care system, especially in maternal health care, where mortality rates remain high. In response, BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras by expanding access to essential prenatal diagnostics in underserved areas.

The State of Maternal Health Care in Honduras

Although Honduras has reduced maternal mortality over the past two decades, significant disparities persist, especially in rural and underserved regions. The country lowered its maternal mortality ratio from 199 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 47 in 2023. However, unequal access to care still puts many women at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and intensified these vulnerabilities. Health system disruptions limited access to prenatal and reproductive services. This caused maternal mortality rates to surge from 61 to 125 deaths per 100,000 live births in the aftermath. This situation reflects a broader global pattern. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that nearly 800 women die every day from preventable pregnancy-related causes, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low-resource settings. In Honduras, limited access to essential diagnostic tools continues to hinder progress. 

Health care providers struggle to use traditional ultrasound machines in remote areas because these devices are expensive, require stable electricity and specialized training. As a result, many women complete their pregnancies without adequate monitoring, which increases the risk of complications.

Why Are Ultrasounds Crucial To Preventing Prenatal Death?

Ultrasound plays a critical role in reducing prenatal and neonatal mortality by enabling the early detection of life-threatening complications. Globally, neonatal deaths account for nearly half of all deaths among children under 5, with preterm birth complications, infections and intrapartum-related conditions among the leading causes. Many of these risks originate during pregnancy and can be identified early through proper monitoring.

Health care providers use ultrasound to detect a wide range of complications that can endanger both mother and child. For example, ultrasound can identify ectopic pregnancies (when a pregnancy develops outside the uterus), allowing doctors to intervene before rupture and internal bleeding occur. It also helps assess fetal heart activity and development, enabling the early detection of miscarriage risks. 

In addition, clinicians rely on ultrasound to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and detect structural defects like congenital heart conditions or spina bifida. They also use it to monitor fetal growth and prevent complications linked to growth restriction. Ultrasounds also allow providers to diagnose placental issues, such as placenta previa or placental abruption, which can pose severe risks during delivery. 

By identifying these conditions early, health care workers can plan safer deliveries and refer patients to appropriate care on time. Evidence highlights the impact of this technology: one study found that the introduction of ultrasound reduced fetal mortality by nearly 20% overall and by more than 50% in post-term pregnancies. These findings underscore the importance of ultrasound access in improving pregnancy outcomes, particularly in settings where other forms of monitoring remain limited.

Babychecker: A Digital Solution to the Rescue

To address these gaps, the Honduran Ministry of Health partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Delft Imaging to launch the BabyChecker pilot project. BabyChecker uses a smartphone-based, AI-powered ultrasound system to expand access to prenatal care. The device allows health care workers with minimal training to perform scans and assess pregnancy risks.

By guiding users through six simple sweeps across the abdomen, the tool provides key clinical information, including gestational age, fetal position, heart rate and early signs of complications. This approach transforms how providers deliver care. Instead of requiring patients to travel to distant hospitals, BabyChecker enables frontline health care workers to conduct diagnostics directly within their communities.

By decentralizing access to diagnostics, BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras. 

Transforming Care in Underserved Communities

In October 2024, health care teams deployed BabyChecker devices across hospitals and rural clinics in regions including Intibucá, Choluteca and La Paz. These areas include Indigenous communities such as the Lenca, Garífuna and Miskito. During the pilot phase, around 400 pregnant women received care through the program.

Local health assistants and community volunteers quickly learned how to use the device, even in settings without reliable internet or electricity. They used BabyChecker to estimate gestational age, detect multiple pregnancies and identify warning signs, allowing them to refer high-risk cases to advanced care in time.

The initiative also improved trust in health care services. In many Indigenous communities, women prefer to consult trusted local figures rather than unfamiliar medical professionals. By equipping community members with this technology, the program increased acceptance of prenatal care. It strengthened engagement, further demonstrating BabyChecker’s transformation of maternal health care in Honduras.

A Step Toward Reducing Maternal Mortality

BabyChecker is transforming maternal health care in Honduras by enabling earlier detection of complications and accelerating referrals to appropriate care. The technology allows health care workers to act quickly and reduce preventable risks for both mothers and infants. More broadly, the initiative shows how targeted, low-cost innovation can help close persistent gaps in health care access, particularly in underserved and rural communities.

As Honduras continues to face structural challenges such as poverty, inequality and environmental vulnerability, solutions like BabyChecker are increasingly vital. By combining accessible technology with community-based care and international partnerships, health care systems can better protect vulnerable populations and improve pregnancy outcomes.

This model is already expanding beyond Honduras. BabyChecker is currently in use in countries such as Sierra Leone and Ghana, where it similarly supports frontline health care workers and improves access to prenatal diagnostics. Its growing adoption highlights its potential as a scalable global solution to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen health care systems in low-resource settings.

– Inès Maudire

Inès is based in Paris, France and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Development of Health Care in Solomon Islands

Health Care in Solomon IslandsThe Solomon Islands is a remote archipelago with a large population of more than 800,000 people. The vast majority of people in the Solomon Islands live in rural areas, which could make access to health care more difficult. As a result, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country faces a rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which is the leading cause of death, accounting for 68.2% of deaths. Communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions account for 23.6%.

Geographic isolation, natural disasters and systemic gaps such as shortages of medical equipment and staff create major barriers in accessing health care in rural areas. Improving health care in the Solomon Islands is critical for public health and for addressing the broader systemic issues, supporting economic stability and growth.

Konide Area Health Centre

In 2018, the old Konide clinic collapsed due to decades of deterioration and was forced to close. Consequently, rural communities had to rely on small health clinics such as the Susubona Rural Health Clinic, which was far too small to handle the sudden surge in patients. Residents had to travel long distances to Buala Hospital, causing delays in treatment and referrals. These delays often lead to worse health outcomes, causing patients to miss work or school and lose income, increasing the risk of poverty.

In November 2025, the new Konide Area Health Centre opened following an investment of SBD 20.8 million. The opening marked a major expansion of health care in Solomon Islands, as communities now have better access to services such as general clinical services and trauma care, maternal and reproductive health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, community-based health services, and additional support services.

Residents in Konide and nearby communities can now access care closer to home and receive more timely treatment.

The World Bank’s ECHO project

Efforts to improve health care in Solomon Islands also include support from the World Bank through the Engaging Communities to Improve Health Outcomes (ECHO) project. Managed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), the initiative aims to strengthen essential health systems and improve access to primary health care services across the country.

The ECHO project consists of three components aimed at improving primary health care, which are Strengthening Primary Health Care Services, National Supply Chain Management (SCM) and Project management, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.

The first component focuses on access to primary health care services with a Community Health Worker (CHW) program, along with climate-resistant infrastructure improvements to Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and the expansion of digital tools for efficient monitoring and reporting. To ensure a steady supply of essential medicines, the second component aims to upgrade the national supply chain through staff training, system improvements, and the construction of a pharmaceutical warehouse in Noro. Lastly, the third component establishes an MHMS-based Project Management Unit (PMU) modelled after COVID-19 response structures. The PMU is responsible for operational oversight, data-driven monitoring, and community engagement. By providing technical support and coordination, it ensures the ECHO project aligns with national health strategies.

Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan

Australia and the Solomon Islands share a partnership, with Australia serving as the Solomon Islands’ largest development partner. The Australia – Solomon Islands Development Partnership Plan 2024-2029 (DPP) coordinates Australian contributions to support Solomon Islands’ domestic development initiatives and strengthen health care in Solomon Islands. It establishes clear objectives, implementation methods, and monitoring protocols to track progress and ensures Australia’s efforts align with other international development actors to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact.

In addition, the DPP also has a primary goal of fostering “A stable and prosperous Solomon Islands” with three objectives. One of their objectives is to invest in people and communities to improve health and education. While another focuses more on improved stability and economic growth as well as infrastructure. This commitment is reflected in Australia’s investment in health care by providing SBD 32.9 million for health services, SBD 9.1 million for crucial medical supplies, completing a scabies mass drug administration program for up to SBD 14.8 million, and fostering four new biomolecular laboratories in Choiseul, Temotu, and Western and Guadalcanal Provinces.

Part of the DPP, in March 2025, the MHMS and the Australian high commissioner launched a health partnership called the “Solomon Islands Australia Health Partnership” investing approximately SBD 150 million until 2028 to promote high-quality health care and access.

The partnership focuses on promoting Provincial Grants including SBD 75 million to provincial health services, National Health Priorities Fund, the Health facility Fund and the Women in Health Leadership Awards, a new initiative to promote gender equity, and to empower women within the health care sector. With provincial funding, communities in rural areas are driven towards increased health care access and leadership that empowers a stronger health system, which all play a role in reducing poverty and other systemic issues. Together, these four key areas are designed to strengthen high-quality health care, enhance services and economic growth.

The Future

In a country with more than 900 islands, the progress of the health system is crucial in addressing health care accessibility and larger systemic issues, such as global poverty. New infrastructure developments such as the Konide Area Health Centre, initiatives from the World Bank, namely the ECHO project, and partnerships from Australia, are creating lasting progress for health care in Solomon Islands. Continued investment and partnerships will strengthen public health, increase economic growth, and advance productivity, which will help the Solomon Islands move closer towards a more sustainable future.

– Bianca P. Gunawan

Bianca is based in Jakarta, Indonesia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain in Chad and Sudan

vaccine cold chain in ChadAfrica lacks the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines. As a result, combined with other factors such as limited health care infrastructure, vaccination rates across the continent remain lower than in many other parts of the world. Since building high-functioning manufacturing facilities would be both difficult and costly, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are seeking practical, feasible ways to expand vaccine access in Africa.

Why Vaccine Delivery Remains a Challenge

Although many vaccines are available today, low vaccination rates in Chad and Sudan mean that only a few can be prioritized immediately. In 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched pneumococcal, rotavirus and malaria vaccines in Chad. This approach centers on reducing vaccine-preventable deaths, making these vaccines the most immediately impactful.

Vaccines are not widely manufactured in Africa and are often transported from overseas. Most also need to be stored at specific temperatures to remain effective. Adding to the challenge, each vaccine requires its own storage conditions. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed toolkit on vaccine storage and handling.

The cold chain is the critical system that allows vaccines to reach their destination safely and remain usable. If required temperatures are not maintained throughout the process, vaccines can lose potency and health workers must discard them. This means that everyone involved in the cold chain process, from transport personnel to staff managing refrigeration at medical facilities, requires specialized training. 

It also demands strong infrastructure and tightly coordinated logistics to ensure there are no gaps in storage or delivery. Because cold chain delivery and storage require such close oversight, the UNICEF Supply Division treats them as a major operational priority.

The Status Quo

While the vaccine cold chain requires particular attention, refrigeration is also essential for many other perishable supplies that must be transported to especially hot climates, such as Chad and Sudan. According to the WHO’s Communications Officer for News and Media, the organization published an evidence brief for this reason. Titled “Solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators and freezers,” the brief explains how solar power can play a particularly important role in vaccine storage. 

Because electricity is unreliable in many parts of Chad and Sudan, clinics and transporters often rely on kerosene and gasoline to power cold chain storage and refrigeration. Unfortunately, these fuel-powered systems are both costly and difficult to maintain. Rising prices and supply chain disruptions can also make kerosene and gasoline hard to keep in stock. 

In addition, because these fuels are used with absorption refrigeration systems rather than the more reliable electric refrigerators, reliability remains a major concern.

Where Do Solar Panels Come In?

As demand for reliable energy grows, researchers are exploring alternatives to fossil fuels. Beyond climate concerns, fossil fuels are finite and increasingly expensive. While no energy source currently known to scientists is without cost, many groups have spent years searching for sustainable options with the lowest possible operating costs.

While energy needs vary across regions, Northern Africa’s arid climate and abundant sunshine make solar power a strong candidate for a major energy source. Globally, CleanEnergy predicts that solar power will become a leading source of energy generation by 2050. WHO and UNICEF, alongside partners such as the World Bank, are actively scaling up solar energy to stabilize critical health, water and education services in Chad and Sudan.

Barriers To Creating a Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain

Transitioning to new energy sources does not come without cost. Although sunshine is abundant in Northern Africa, installing solar panels would require a major investment. While exact figures are unclear, providing solar-powered refrigeration and cold chain storage for vaccines in Chad and Sudan would likely require large organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF to purchase and install a significant number of solar panels.

There would also be initial challenges in integrating solar energy into existing power systems. Although this would likely be a short-term issue, failures during the transition could lead to the loss of vaccines and other perishable supplies. In addition, while Chad and Sudan are still developing their solar regulatory frameworks, government policy remains an important consideration when implementing large-scale energy or grid infrastructure projects.

Looking to the Future

While 2050 is more than two decades away, solar energy use is rapidly expanding worldwide and creating a solar-powered vaccine cold chain in Chad and Sudan will soon be a reality. Given the evidence highlighting refrigeration’s critical role in vaccine distribution, solar power is likely to be prioritized and expanded in the region sooner rather than later.

– Nicole Miller

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

Photo: Flickr

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SDG 3 in Afghanistan: Health Gains and Persistent Barriers

SDG 3 in AfghanistanAfghanistan is still struggling to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for everyone. The country scores low on key health indicators and recent reports indicate that millions of people need humanitarian health support due to the system’s heavy strain. Years of conflict, economic problems and less international support have made Afghanistan’s health crisis worse. 

In 2024, Human Rights Watch said that big cuts in funding and technical help after the Taliban takeover have badly hurt the health care system, putting millions at higher risk of illness and poor care. These cuts have led to clinic closures and reduced services, leaving families with fewer treatment options. Even so, aid groups have kept some basic care going through emergency programs. 

Maternal and Child Health Remain Fragile

Maternal and child health is still one of the most urgent problems for SDG 3 in Afghanistan. Limits on women’s education and work in health care have made it harder to find female health workers. As a result, women and girls face more obstacles to accessing care, especially since many families already have trouble reaching clinics. 

In traditional areas, cultural rules mean women often need female providers, but there are even fewer now. This shortage puts women at greater risk during pregnancy and childbirth, when fast care can save lives. In 2025, UNICEF said that 14.3 million people in Afghanistan needed humanitarian health support and 857,000 children under 5 were expected to need treatment for severe malnutrition. 

The same report said that in May, more than seven million people got basic health services from UNICEF-supported clinics and mobile teams. These teams go to remote villages to give checkups, vaccines and nutrition support where regular clinics cannot reach. Their work helps improve child health and reduce deaths from preventable illnesses such as diarrhea and respiratory infections.

Aid Groups Address Service Gaps

Humanitarian groups still provide many of Afghanistan’s most important health services. UNICEF-supported clinics and mobile teams have helped families who might not otherwise receive care. Reports show these services are still vital for meeting urgent health needs. 

Groups like the World Health Organization (WHO) also supply medicines and train local staff to handle outbreaks and regular care. By focusing on primary health care, these groups help prevent small problems from becoming emergencies. Still, the overall health system is unstable. 

A 2025 report warned that closing health centers due to funding cuts has worsened the risks of disease and malnutrition. These shutdowns hit rural areas the hardest, where people already must travel far for care. Aid cannot fully replace public clinics, but it helps fill gaps when there is not enough funding or staff.

Other organizations, such as Médecins Sans Frontières, run hospitals in conflict zones and treat thousands of people for war injuries, infections and childbirth complications. Their teams often work in tents or damaged buildings, showing how aid can adapt to tough conditions. These efforts support SDG 3 by keeping emergency and basic care available when government services cannot.

Disease Prevention Remains Critical

Disease prevention is also an important part of SDG 3 in Afghanistan. UNICEF’s 2025 report found more cases of acute watery diarrhea and warned that Afghanistan is still at high risk for outbreaks. Poor sanitation, hard-to-reach clinics and malnutrition can quickly turn common illnesses into serious emergencies. Weak water systems and crowded living conditions make it easier for diseases like cholera to spread, especially in summer.

Due to these risks, public health work in Afghanistan focuses on both treatment and prevention. Vaccination campaigns, nutrition checks and mobile health services help reduce preventable deaths, especially among children under 5, who are still most at risk. Programs target diseases like measles, polio and pneumonia, which take many young lives each year. Community health workers also teach families about hygiene and warning signs, helping build local skills for lasting improvements.

Mental health support is now another important focus. Conflict and displacement have left many people with trauma and NGOs now offer counseling at community centers. This work supports SDG 3’s broader goal of well-being, as untreated stress can worsen physical health problems.

Concluding Remarks

Progress toward SDG 3 in Afghanistan has been uneven. The Sustainable Development Report 2025 tracks the country’s SDG results and health is still a major concern, even though there have been some small improvements in services. Vaccination rates have stayed steady in some provinces and more children are getting treatment for malnutrition than before. These steps show that targeted aid can make a difference during a crisis.

Even so, the ongoing work of aid groups and health workers offers hope for improvement. Millions of people are getting care through supported clinics, which is crucial in a country with a weak health system. For Afghanistan to achieve SDG 3, these short-term gains need to become a lasting system of care.

Stable funding, more trained female staff and better roads could turn fragile progress into lasting health security. Until then, humanitarian efforts remain the main support for SDG 3.

– Niaz Youssefian

Niaz is based in Cardiff, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Flickr

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Community Health Workers in Malawi Expand Maternal Care

Community Health Workers in MalawiCommunity health workers in Malawi play a central role in maternal care, especially in rural communities where distance, transport gaps and workforce shortages can delay treatment. In Malawi, these frontline workers are commonly known as Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs). In an interview, Kingsley Chikaphupha, executive director of REACH Trust, told The Borgen Project that HSAs identify and register pregnant women, promote early antenatal care, explain danger signs, support referrals for high-risk pregnancies and conduct home visits after delivery. 

He said they also work with families and community leaders to reduce stigma and strengthen support for pregnant women at the community level. This community-to-clinic connection is one reason community health workers in Malawi remain important in maternal and newborn care. REACH Trust describes itself as a Malawian nongovernmental organization (NGO) focused on research, innovation and implementation in health and development.

According to the World Bank, Malawi’s maternal mortality ratio declined from 1,115 in 2000 to 225 in 2023. This underscores the importance of HSAs in Malawi. 

How the Community System Works

Chikaphupha said maternal services delivered by HSAs are mainly preventive and referral-based. Malawi’s Community Health Framework similarly describes community health workers as the first point of contact between communities and the health system and calls for stronger integration between community teams and health facilities. This structure matters because skilled midwives and nurses deliver babies and manage obstetric emergencies at facilities, while HSAs help women access those services earlier.

Chikaphupha said HSAs use standardized checklists and danger-sign rules during home visits. He said they look for symptoms such as heavy bleeding, severe headaches and high fever, while also checking basic signs and asking about earlier pregnancy complications. He added that they can escort women for urgent referral when needed. 

This role fits Malawi’s broader policy direction. The country’s earlier National Community Health Strategy and the current framework both emphasize referral systems, supervision and a target of one HSA per 1,000 people.

Training and Workforce Expansion

According to Chikaphupha, HSA training has included classroom and field-based instruction in reproductive health, antenatal care, labor, postnatal care, counseling, referral skills and emergency response. He said Malawi has recently shifted from an earlier 12-week training model to a one-year curriculum. He also said the first cohort of 497 trainees completed the 12-month program and graduated in November 2024 and that these workers are being recruited as Disease Control Surveillance Assistants (DCSAs). 

Last Mile Health works with the Malawi Ministry of Health to provide standardized training for community and frontline health workers. These workers support routine services, including maternal and child health visits. Even with that progress, Chikaphupha said remote communities still face shortages, poor transport links, weak supervision, stockouts and burnout. 

Malawi’s Health Sector Strategic Plan III for 2023-2030 calls for training, recruiting and equipping HSAs to meet community health strategy targets. The plan lists antenatal care coverage of at least four visits at 51% as a baseline, showing why stronger local outreach still matters. Chikaphupha said some HSAs serve more than 2,000 people, well above the desired ratio.

Organizations Are Backing a Practical Solution

Recent programs show how community health workers in Malawi are being supported through targeted investments. UNICEF continues to invest in maternal and child health care and capacity building for health workers in Malawi. In March 2025, UNICEF, with funding from the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, supported the Rumphi District Health Office in training 16 community midwifery assistants and 24 HSAs. 

The training was designed to help these individuals integrate services related to maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, as well as nutrition. Furthermore, in March 2026, UNICEF announced that funding from China would upgrade maternity and newborn wards in 20 health facilities across three districts. The funding would also supply medicines and equipment and train community health workers to better support mothers and babies. 

Chikaphupha said Malawi’s 2023–2030 national framework is formalizing the role of community health workers in maternal and newborn care, while newer projects are expanding postnatal home visits, community engagement and digital tracking. This makes community health workers in Malawi more than a stopgap measure. They are part of a longer-term strategy to extend maternal care into communities that would otherwise have the weakest access to services. 

As Malawi continues to invest in training, facility links and workforce support, community health workers in Malawi remain one of the country’s clearest maternal health solutions.

– Aiden Moriarty

Aiden is based in Rowley, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash