Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

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Positive Updates on SDG 3 in Austria

SDG 3 in AustriaSet out by the United Nations (U.N) in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to create a better quality of life for individuals globally. Among the 17 goals, the third aims to promote good health and well-being worldwide. Austria has a robust health care system to cover most of the population. However, its poorest province, Burgenland, still faces some challenges. The Sustainable Development Report (2023) documented that Austria has made “moderate improvement” toward achieving SDG 3, demonstrating some progress.

What Progress Has Austria Made With SDG 3?

SDG 3 is subdivided into smaller health-related objectives tailored to each country’s specific needs, making the broader target more attainable. For Austria, these include decreasing dependency on alcohol and lowering the number of daily smokers. Another aim of SDG 3 is to slow down diagnoses of tuberculosis (TB), an infection of the lungs, on a global scale. In 1989, Austria saw a spike in TB infections, which had to be lowered for better overall health of the country.

Evidence of progress towards reducing TB diagnoses is documented in the Sustainable Development Report, with low disease rates among the population being reported. Additionally, the report notes that this goal will likely be maintained in the future. This is backed up by data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), whose research demonstrates the near eradication of TB, indicating success in improving physical health: a positive update on SDG 3 in Austria.

What Aspects of SDG 3 Require More Improvement?

When reporting updates on SDG 3 in Austria, it is crucial to recognize that there are still some hurdles to overcome. The focus is particularly in the area of addiction. This implies a need for increased efforts to achieve progress within the country’s health sector, specifically in mental health.

More specifically, this manifests as high smoking rates, which, in turn, may lead to further complicated (and long-term) health issues, putting more strain on health care departments. This is also supported by researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, who state that, from 2007 to 2016, “Austria performed poor in implementation of Framework Convention of Tobacco Control,” highlighting the need to lower smoking rates for better health outcomes.

How Can These Areas Be Targeted in the Future?

One nongovernmental organization (NGO), the Austrian Council on Smoking and Health, founded in 1965, does important work promoting anti-smoking projects for the public, such as campaigning for legislation against smoking indoors. This law was then put forward in 2009. The organization is continuing to draw attention to high smoking rates in Austria by targeting younger generations and spreading awareness of the dangers of cigarettes and other popular nicotine products, such as vapes.

Its current approach consists of thinking ahead to create a smoke-free future. Serving as evidence for lowering smoking rates and decreasing the occurrence of nicotine use. The work of this successful independent organization demonstrates that high smoking rates in Austria are likely to decline in the future, thus aligning with the goals of SDG 3.

Final Remark

The updates on SDG 3 in Austria indicate that the country is making positive progress in improving the health and well-being of its population. Moreover, the future of better health in the country looks promising. NGOs are actively addressing current issues in SDG 3. They are accomplishing this by promoting anti-smoking education among the Austrian youth, providing resources to create better health programs and offering motivation schemes to quit smoking.

– Amelie Bunce
Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Sanitation in Overcrowded South Sudan Transit Centers

Addressing Sanitation in Overcrowded South Sudan Transit Centers On 29 February 2024, Oxfam warned of the increasing threat of outbreaks of diseases due to overcrowded South Sudan transit centers. Amid Sudan’s conflict fallout, Renk transit centers in South Sudan are bursting at the seams, accommodating more than half a million displaced individuals, three times its capacity. With more than 300 people sharing one water tap, Oxfam raises the alarm over heightened cholera risk due to inadequate sanitation.

Escalation of the Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan

Since its civil war, South Sudan has been an epicenter of humanitarian crises. Extreme violence and food insecurity have left an estimated number of 9.4 million civilians in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Last year’s conflict in Sudan, which emerged in April, exacerbated existing problems, also encumbering overcrowded South Sudan transit centers. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported 920 violent incidents in three months in 2023, resulting in 405 deaths and more than 600 injuries and abductions. More than 300,000 refugees fled to South Sudan, encountering severe conditions in transit centers.

Overcrowded South Sudan Transit Centers

This crisis worsens the existing cholera challenges in overcrowded transit centers in South Sudan, with 1027 prior cases, prompting urgent calls for intervention to avert disease outbreaks. Currently, Renk’s transit centers, designed to accommodate 4,750 people, now house 15,000, with many more living in open areas without access to water or hygiene facilities. An Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report reveals that 46% of South Sudan’s population faces high levels of acute food insecurity, underscoring the critical need for increased international humanitarian funding.

In addition, Oxfam and its partners have successfully delivered clean water and adequate sanitation to more than 70,000 individuals within overcrowded South Sudan transit centers. However, 7 million dollars is needed to expand humanitarian operations, aiming to provide life-saving food, clean water and sanitation facilities to 400,000 people.

Declining International Funding and Its Impact

International efforts have introduced sanctions against South Sudan by the EU and the United Nations Security Council to address ongoing conflicts. Despite these measures, financial contributions to humanitarian aid have seen a significant decline since 2014. In 2024, funding for South Sudan’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan drastically fell to only 3.6% from 51% in 2023, with the EU being the largest donor, contributing 49.5 million Euros.

These funding cuts threaten the execution of critical humanitarian operations within the country. Moreover, Germany leads as the primary donor for South Sudan, contributing 26.2% of the total humanitarian funding reported. In contrast, the United States (U.S.) and Canada are among the lowest contributors, with the U.S. providing only $3,826,798.

Future Prospects for South Sudan Transit Centers

The critical situation in South Sudan’s transit centers underscores a growing need for international solidarity and increased humanitarian aid. Oxfam’s efforts, alongside those of its partners, are pivotal in mitigating the immediate threats of disease and providing necessary resources to those displaced by conflict.

Despite funding challenges, the global community’s commitment to supporting South Sudan can catalyze meaningful change and offer a lifeline to millions in need. The road to recovery is steep, but with sustained support and strategic interventions, there’s hope for a healthier, more secure future for South Sudan. Every contribution, big or small, plays an essential role in building resilience against the cascading effects of humanitarian crises, marking a path toward stability and well-being in the region.

– Naomi Ronner
Photo: Flickr

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Mental Health in Luxembourg

Mental Health in LuxembourgOf all of the countries in the world, Luxembourg is among the richest. Luxembourg has one of the highest GDP per capita, after Liechtenstein and Monaco in the top spot. Additionally, according to almost every ranking system, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Luxembourg has one of the best health care systems in the world. Based on this, it would be correct to assume that Luxembourg’s mental health levels are high regarding its citizens and their wellbeing.

Mental Health and Happiness

According to the World Happiness Report, which conducts an extensive study into the mental well-being of people all across the globe, Luxembourg consistently ranks in the top 10 in average life evaluation and ranked 9th in 2023. Furthermore, according to the same report, Luxembourg ranks 9th again when it comes to happiness equality across the wealth spectrum. This is undoubtedly correlated with the numerous mental health resources available to the citizens, enabling them to properly care for and maintain a high level of mental health in Luxembourg.

Even though Luxembourg has a fantastic health care system in place, in a 2017 Eurostat report, 9.5% of the population reported experiencing chronic depression, which is above the 6.7% average of the group as a whole. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this, during which 37% of people between the ages of 18 and 44 reported declining mental health during the pandemic.

Therapy Access

In Luxembourg, the public health care system covers the cost of a therapist for anyone who is under the age of 18 and part of the social security system. The doctors can also prescribe therapy for up to 27 sessions. As for anyone older than 18, health care system reimburses for 70% of the total price. Finding a psychiatrist should be no issue, as Luxembourg has more than 20 psychiatrists per 100,000 people, which ranks it 8th in the EU.

Resources Available to Citizens

When it comes to governmental spending on health care, Luxembourg spends $6,436 per capita, which makes up about 5.8% of its total GDP and is the lowest in the European Union. Luxembourg primarily follows the WHO when it comes to procedures regarding mental health and has enacted many changes to destigmatize using the many mental health resources available to the people.

In conclusion, Luxembourg should be a guidebook for the rest of the world when it comes to mental health resources and how to address this issue. Its incredible health care system, the destigmatization of getting help, the large pool of mental health care professionals available and the ability for anyone to get the help they need have resulted in Luxembourg being one of the world leaders in combating mental health issues.

– Steven Gulkowitz
Photo: Unsplash

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Sightsavers Reduce Trachoma in Kenya

Trachoma in KenyaTrachoma, one of the well-documented Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), is the foremost infectious cause of blindness globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), trachoma represents a significant public health challenge in 42 countries, contributing to the blindness or visual impairment of approximately 1.9 million individuals. Its impact most profoundly affects the most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Africa bears the brunt of its effects, with more than 30% of the population in Kenya being affected with trachoma.

Sightsavers, an international organization, is dedicated to preventing and treating blindness caused by NTD. Originating in the ’50s, it initially focused on leading countries like Kenya. The organization promotes disability rights and provides medical treatments to help eliminate trachoma in Kenya.

Sightsavers’ Efforts to Combat Trachoma in Kenya

Sightsavers dedicates itself to “avoiding blindness and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.” The organization actively pursues several key goals:

  1. Protecting Sight: Sightsavers works to prevent blindness in the most impoverished communities globally.
  2. Combatting Tropical Diseases: One of Sightsavers’ primary focuses is fighting tropical diseases like trachoma in regions such as Kenya.
  3. Disability Rights: Sightsavers strives to ensure equal opportunities for all, advocating for fair access to education and employment facilities.

Kenya stands as one of the countries most affected by trachoma. However, the nation’s health care system faces significant challenges due to underfunding and lacking essential resources for avoiding vision loss. Consequently, many individuals in Kenya’s poorest communities struggle to access vital medications necessary for preventing trachoma.

In response, Sightsavers focuses on providing targeted support through various initiatives. This initiative includes offering “Free Eye Screening” services and ensuring regular check-ups for trachoma to detect and address vision issues early. The organization also emphasizes training local staff, equipping doctors and surgeons with the necessary skills to enhance Kenya’s health care system and improve patient care quality.

Additionally, Sightsavers researches to gather data on the causes and prevalence of visual impairment due to trachoma in Kenya. The organization reaches out to remote communities through rural outreach programs to conduct screenings for signs of trachoma. Moreover, Sightsavers implements hygiene programs to educate schools on the significance of good hygiene practices. They are helping to combat infectious diseases. Finally, the group prioritizes inclusive education efforts, working to reduce gender inequality barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing essential eye care support.

Lanoi’s Journey: A Tale of Resilience and Hope

In 2024, Sightsavers captured the narrative of Lanoi, a 4-year-old afflicted with trachoma in Kenya. The nonprofit organization’s community health volunteer, Joel, embarked on a journey to remote villages where he encountered Lanoi, grappling with trachoma. Utilizing dose poles facilitated by SightSavers, Joel swiftly determined the appropriate medication dosage and administered antibiotics to Lanoi.

Dose poles are crucial in assessing a patient’s height and facilitating accurate medicine dosage. The distribution of more than one billion NTD treatments through pole calculations highlights the significance of Sightsavers. Following treatment, Lanoi experienced a swift recovery within days. Following her recovery, Lanoi’s uncle committed to advancing Sightsavers’ mission and combatting trachoma in Kenya. He focused on educating others about crucial prevention strategies to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

SAFE Strategy in Kenya

SightSavers employs the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Face-washing and Environmental improvements) to combat trachoma in Kenya. This comprehensive approach involves surgical interventions to alleviate the condition where necessary. The group distributes antibiotics through mass drug administration programs, repeated annually for five years, to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.

Additionally, the organization prioritizes facial cleanliness, conducting local workshops to educate individuals on the importance of personal hygiene. Environmental improvements are also emphasized, with efforts concentrated on enhancing access to clean water and minimizing the risk of reinfection by eliminating breeding grounds for flies carrying the disease in Kenya.

Fighting Stigma Toward Gender

Sightsavers emphasizes the importance of addressing gender inequality in trachoma treatment efforts in Kenya. Children are particularly vulnerable to trachoma. Mothers, often primary caregivers, face heightened exposure. Recognizing this, Sightsavers views female volunteers as crucial in reaching women lacking treatment due to cultural or religious norms.

– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Flickr

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Health Care in Colombia: Improving Accessibility

Improving Health Care Accessibility in ColombiaThe nation of Colombia operates a mixed public-private health care system that boasts a 95% coverage rate for its population of nearly 52 million in 2023. Despite this metric, the country’s vastly varying topography across the Amazonian rainforest, mountainous and coastal regions presents a significant challenge in access to care for the 18% of the population living in these areas. Health care accessibility in Colombia remains a critical issue to address.

There are also only 2.4 doctors per 1000 residents with a larger concentration in urban areas. The widespread health care coverage applies to a core set of services. However, some required out-of-pocket expenses still present a barrier to the 37% of the population living in poverty in both rural and urban areas.

Addressing this inequity demands infrastructure improvements, technological advancements and investment. Fortunately, thanks to efforts from emerging health care technology companies and humanitarian aid organizations, Colombia is making progress in enhancing health care accessibility.

Health Care Technology Companies

Colombia has seen a rise in health care technology startups with $39.4 million being invested in the “health tech” sector according to a 2022-2023 technology report. This investment was spread across 93 startups that aim to increase access to hospitals, specialized services and medical records.

Salvva, initially known as TuMedico and founded in 2021 as a spinoff of the leading Colombian health tech company SaludTools, leads the way in connecting patients with health care providers. This company aims to link low-income patients with health care providers through an easy-to-use and affordable app that simplifies the process of diagnosis and treatment. It became a finalist in the MIT Solve program in 2022 after connecting more than 7,000 residents with providers through top-tier telemedicine. To date, its website reports more than 24,000 consultations with health care companies and providers.

Another pioneering woman in health tech founded Yo Puedo Sentirme Bien, a tele-mental health platform for students in Colombia. From 2021 to 2023, the platform engaged 2,730 students at no cost to their respective universities. Although still in its infancy and primarily serving the academic community, this initiative marks a significant step toward addressing underserved health issues within underserved populations.

Humanitarian Aid Organizations

In addition to technology solutions improving health care accessibility in Colombia, there have been major humanitarian aid projects addressing infrastructure challenges and driving improvement in rural communities specifically.

World Bank

One of the biggest challenges in accessibility is the sheer distance that must be traveled to facilities. According to an analysis from the World Bank, 10.6 million people need to travel more than 60 minutes for essential health care services. Rudimentary road systems mean that many isolated regions are more effectively traveled by water transportation, but those trips can cost patients up to 11% of their monthly wage.

The World Bank has partnered with the Government of Colombia on multiple initiatives to address travel issues. Todos Somos PAZcífico is improving dock infrastructure in the Pacific region to increase mobility for these populations. The organizations are working directly with local communities in their implementation and will create employment opportunities as the hubs drive commercial activity. The improved infrastructure will also drastically reduce the travel time for these communities to access critical services.

While water transportation is critical for coastal communities, the road infrastructure confines the inland populations. Caminos Comunitarios de la Paz Total is another initiative from the World Bank and the Colombian government with an investment of $8 billion for road improvement and rehabilitation.

In improving accessibility to health care, Colombia must reduce the travel time and difficulty for isolated populations. These initiatives are addressing the challenges on both land and sea to open pathways for hundreds of thousands of people.

The European Union (EU)

The EU supports multiple humanitarian organizations in the region and provided €28.5 million in humanitarian aid in 2023. Médecins du Monde is one organization receiving support from the EU for its work in Colombia. The France-based organization aims to provide quality health care access to the most vulnerable populations. While the World Bank is allowing people to travel to access already existing health care facilities, Médecins du Monde is bringing health care to these confined populations. In 2022, the organization worked with a confined population in the Chocó region to organize mobile clinics, rehabilitate previous health posts and educate people on disease prevention.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

Colombia has seen a rising Venezuelan migrant population that is especially vulnerable in terms of accessing health care. The USAID’s Local Health System Sustainability Activity (LHSS) aids the Colombian Ministry of Health in assisting this group by utilizing funds from the private sector to finance health services.

Colombia has achieved significant progress in enhancing its health care system over the last few decades, particularly in coverage. However, there is still room for improvement, with health tech companies and humanitarian aid playing key roles in continuing to improve health care accessibility.

– William Galante
Photo: Unsplash

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Healthcare Access in Mayan Indigenous Communities

Mayan indigenous communitiesRecent data highlights that access to health care poses a significant challenge for Mayan indigenous communities in Mexico, especially in rural areas. The absence of comprehensive programs and policies tailored to improve culturally appropriate health care exacerbates this issue.

Mayan Cultural Context

In Mexico, traditional Mayan communities continue to uphold distinct perspectives on healing, which sometimes conflict with Western medical ideologies. In Mayan culture, people intricately link ill health to deities and ancestors. Mayans perceive physical well-being as interconnected with the celestial, terrestrial and subterranean realms. Consequently, health care within Mayan communities follows a communal approach, where medical decisions are not solely individual but collective decisions involving extended family members and Mayan spiritual healers known as H-men.

The Impacts of Globalization

Globalization has ushered in profitable trade and investments for numerous nations worldwide, improving public health and increasing life expectancy. However, it has also had adverse effects on the environment, exacerbated wealth disparities and fueled consumerist behavior, thereby posing threats to indigenous communities.

Mayan communities, often situated in jungle environments, grapple with limited access to health care and social services, inadequate infrastructure and substandard sanitation facilities. Consequently, many community members seek employment in the tourism hubs of Cancun or Tulum, drawn by economic opportunities.

However, the arrival of tourists brought three confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 10, 2020, prompting the implementation of social distancing measures on March 30, 2020 and ultimately resulting in the closure of the tourism industry. The Mexican government disseminated leaflets and radio announcements in the native Mayan language. However, the absence of community health centers and limited transportation options hindered the provision of adequate health care and education.

Obstacles to Health Care

Many members of Mayan communities have voiced concerns about the affordability of health care, whether from a doctor or private healer. For example, a doctor’s visit costs approximately $10 to $42, whereas a healer or herbalist typically charges between $0.5 and $26. Individuals needing medical care resorted to selling livestock to cover the costs. In contrast, hospital admissions were deemed unaffordable due to transportation expenses. Additionally, despite the proximity of several Mayan communities to health care centers, communication barriers persisted as many providers needed help to speak the Mayan language.

Moving Forward

Members of Mayan indigenous communities have emphasized the critical necessity for expanded health care resources, including additional medications, nursing staff and specialized health care providers adept at catering to rural indigenous and marginalized populations. In a pivotal move reflecting a commitment to holistic care, Zoe Robledo, the esteemed leader of Mexico’s most significant public hospital network, announced a transformative initiative in 2023 during a widely covered news conference. Under her guidance, the system pledged to recruit 753 practitioners skilled in traditional massage and herbal treatments. Furthermore, the hospitals and clinics will welcome midwives and practitioners versed in a traditional variant of chiropractic medicine.

This groundbreaking decision underscores a profound acknowledgment of the rich ancestral knowledge embedded within indigenous healing practices. Despite lacking formal licensure, these practitioners will use centuries-old wisdom to guide their therapeutic interventions. The Office of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador affirmed this approach, highlighting the intent to prioritize cultural heritage and community-based healing methods in health care services.

– Eva McMonigl
Photo: Unsplash

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Digitizing Salary Payment: Impacts of WHO’s Digital Health

Digitizing Salary PaymentThe World Health Organization (WHO) is actively working to enhance the conditions and motivation of African frontline health workers. Through digital innovation, the African health sector benefits from implementing financial technologies such as digitizing salary payment. It facilitates direct cashless income transfer to workers. They created bank accounts and digital bookkeeping collaborating with other Better Than Cash Alliance members, a partnership comprising 80 United Nations (U.N.) members.

WHO has launched this initiative in 24 African countries, digitizing salary payment for more than two million health workers. Spearheaded by WHO’s Department of Digital Health, these payments ensure African frontline health workers’ steady and timely incomes. These innovations foster a cashless society and empower women to access and participate independently in the financial system, aligning with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Cashless Payment Facilitation

Cash payments for incomes have been deemed “Unwieldy” and represent the challenges in Africa. For instance, the physical handling of cash poses security risks for workers. There is a higher likelihood of salary discrepancies if manual counting methods are not rigorous. However, digital innovation is revolutionizing the African health sector by implementing mobile money systems. These systems have significantly accelerated the pace of payments to workers, offering numerous benefits. Previously, managers bore the burden of physically storing cash at payment sites and distributing funds to disbursement sites for employees to collect their salaries. This process often involved considerable time and effort for workers. With mobile money systems, workers can receive their payments in as little as 30 minutes after completing their work, streamlining the payment process and enhancing efficiency across the board.

Between 2014 and 2021, the global proportion of adults engaging in digital payments rose by 35%, reaching 57% in Sub-Saharan Africa. This surge has played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion in the region. The president of the World Bank Group underscores the importance of robust policies to facilitate access to formal accounts and financial services, particularly in the wake of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Digital Accounting

Digital innovation revolutionizes the African health sector by emphasizing digital payments, streamlining business operations and reducing cumbersome paperwork. Organizations, often managing payrolls with hundreds of employees, can now improve efficiency in payment verification and meticulous bookkeeping. Instead of manual calculations and record-keeping, systems automatically log transactions and swiftly generate precise accounting documents. However, achieving this efficiency requires comprehensive reform of the financial system as a whole within the nation. This entails innovating processes to automate manual tasks, integrating employee information seamlessly, verifying hours worked and implementing effective dispute-resolution mechanisms for payment-related issues.

Motivation Boost for Workers

Various programs have witnessed detrimental impacts on health services due to cash payments. For instance, in Côte d’Ivoire in 2019, delayed cash disbursements resulted in employee attrition and the postponement of a polio immunization project. Additionally, researchers identified disruptions in immunization patterns among recipients attributed to a lack of incentives for frontline health workers, including door-to-door vaccinators and campaign organizers.

According to the WHO, delayed and incomplete payments adversely affect the morale and satisfaction of frontline workers, leading to decreased motivation and challenges in retaining health campaign workers. However, digital innovation is transforming the African health sector. Through the World Health Organization’s Mobile Money digital payment system for health campaign workers, 99% of workers engaged in the polio immunization campaign in Mali and Ghana were paid on time, resulting in improved retention rates and successful program delivery across multiple districts.

Furthermore, the gender wage gap has narrowed as women gain greater autonomy and privacy over their financial affairs through advancements in digital finance. This progress promotes financial empowerment for women and fosters greater economic independence. Furthermore, digital innovation significantly enhances health care in Africa by improving the effectiveness and retention of health workers. These advancements yield notable results in critical health initiatives, such as immunization programs, ultimately contributing to improved health care outcomes across the continent.

– Tevin Mundo
Photo: Unsplash

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How LFAM is Helping in Liberia

How Life for African Mothers (LFAM) is Helping in LiberiaMaternal mortality rates in Liberia exceed regional averages, significantly impacting infant survival. Yet, recent years have seen a decline in these rates, from an average of 777 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 652 births in 2020. An initiative like Life for African Mothers (LFAM) is helping Liberia contribute to this positive trend by providing crucial support for mothers in the country.

Challenges for Midwives

Midwives in Sub-Saharan Africa face severe challenges due to outdated equipment, lack of training and insufficient drugs. They struggle without the necessary tools and knowledge to save mothers’ lives during pregnancy and childbirth complications. This is where the vital support of nongovernmental organizations like LFAM becomes crucial in reducing maternal mortality rates and impacting the lives of both midwives and mothers positively.

Life for African Mothers

Since 2005, LFAM, a United Kingdom (U.K.)-based nongovernmental health organization, has been saving the lives of mothers and babies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Angela Gorman, a neonatal nurse, founded LFAM to address the region’s high maternal mortality rates. LFAM achieves its mission through various means, including distributing medication to prevent post-partum hemorrhage and conducting skill-sharing workshops to provide essential training to hundreds of midwives.

In 2007, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) partnered with LFAM to support Liberia in reducing its high maternal mortality rate. Since then, LFAM has actively collaborated with four hospitals in Liberia, conducting clinical skills-sharing workshops and distributing medication to address the critical situation.

LFAM’s Impact on Liberian Communities

LFAM is helping in Liberia by training midwives and distributing maternal medication across multiple counties in Liberia. Furthermore, it has enhanced maternal health in Liberia by distributing more than $250,000 worth of medication at no cost. LFAM stands as the exclusive provider in Liberia of Misoprostol, a drug to prevent hemorrhaging. Pharmaceutical companies in the U.K. donate much of the medication with the stipulation that it be distributed free of charge.

Furthermore, LFAM collaborates with charities like IHP and Muntada Aid to secure medicine donations and finance midwifery trips. By supplying medications for childbirth complications, LFAM supports hospitals and health centers across Liberia, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates. Additionally, LFAM distributes infant clothing to underprivileged mothers. As of January 2023, it was noted that since 2016, LFAM has trained more than 500 traditional and medical midwives throughout Liberia.

LFAM facilitates visits to Liberia by clinical staff to share clinical experiences and provide additional resources to hospitals and communities. Overall LFAM is helping in Liberia, making significant contributions to maternal health care and helping lower the maternal mortality rate.

Looking Forward

The remarkable efforts of LFAM in Liberia are paving the way for a future where maternal mortality is not a foregone conclusion but a challenge to overcome. Through training midwives, distributing essential medications and fostering international partnerships, LFAM is crafting a legacy of improved health care for mothers and their infants. Moreover, this trajectory of progress promises not only healthier futures for families in Liberia but also serves as a beacon of hope for similar communities across Sub-Saharan Africa.

– Arabella Wood-Collins
Photo: Unsplash

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Drug Rehabilitation in Brazil and How the Government Is Tackling It

Drug Rehabilitation in BrazilBrazil has an extensive history of problems with substance abuse. The Brazilian populace contains many impoverished people facing significant challenges in accessing public medical care, forcing individuals to seek alternatives. However, the Government of Brazil is taking great strides towards reducing these issues. One such step is the establishment of the Brazil and the South Cone Programme to “support the Governments of Brazil in the implementation of effective policies in drug law enforcement and drug abuse prevention.” If Brazil continues along this trajectory, then improvements will continue. Here are some ways Brazil is tackling drug use.

Psychoactive Drugs and Access To Help

The use of psychoactive drugs is becoming more common in all treatment centers, leading to challenges in recovery and an increased likelihood of relapse. This has led to studies to better understand the most effective ways of reaching individuals struggling with such addiction. Fortunately, some authors have discovered that economic position played a significant role in the issue. Those in poverty have less access to education and are still determining how to help themselves. The Brazilian public health system, in the past, has neglected those in poverty, restricting access to treatment facilities for individuals with limited financial resources. Considering these shortcomings, drug rehabilitation in Brazil is now more accessible in urban areas, where mental health services have been increasing since 2008. Rural areas still lag, but the advancement in urban areas is a good start for facilitating drug rehabilitation in Brazil.

Alcohol Abuse Help

In terms of alcohol abuse, Brazil has taken great strides. The Brazilian health care system has tackled the problem via three programs. First is the “Family Health Strategy,” which utilizes the services of community health workers to engage in outreach activities and home visits. Second is the “CAPS” program, which provides outpatient clinics catering to individuals requiring mental health services. A specialized staff team comprising “nurses, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists” operate these clinics. The team is well-equipped to provide comprehensive and customized care to patients with varying mental health needs. The third is a novel program devised to assist individuals who have recently undergone addiction treatment in obtaining employment through post-treatment care. The primary objective of the program is to facilitate employment opportunities for individuals who have previously struggled with addiction by addressing any barriers or challenges that may impede their progress. 

Use of Religion To Help

This approach provides an opportunity to establish connections with like-minded individuals, engage in volunteer work, receive personalized psychological care and obtain financial support early on. By incorporating religion into drug rehabilitation programs, a more comprehensive range of resources and support systems become accessible, thereby increasing the likelihood of long-term recovery and overall well-being. In addition, this approach fosters an atmosphere that acknowledges personal potential and encourages camaraderie among individuals, all while offering unwavering and impartial support. The effectiveness of spiritual therapy ultimately rests on the willingness of those seeking help to embrace it. 

Conclusion

The aspects above underscore the effectiveness of drug rehabilitation programs in Brazil, which have proven to be a valuable resource for many underprivileged individuals seeking support and assistance. It is hoped that such efforts will continue unabated, not only in Brazil but also in other countries facing comparable challenges. 

– Jordan Cunningham
Photo: Unsplash

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Organizations Fighting for Mental Health in Liberia

Mental Health in LiberiaThe world’s outlook on mental health is gradually improving, but there are still many parts of global society that turn a blind eye to disorders of the mind. Liberian institutions often ignore mental health in Liberia. Times change, however and if Liberia is indicative of the rest of the world, mental health is getting the attention it desperately needs.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that one out of five of Liberia’s population experienced a mental disorder. Subsequent research by WHO indicates an improvement in Liberia’s mental health, with a notable increase in the mental health workforce. Initially, only one psychiatrist served the country, but as of 2020, Liberia has more than 450 mental health professionals, including four psychiatrists, two psychologists and more than 400 mental health nurses. That said, here are some organizations fighting mental health in Liberia.

LiCORMH

The Liberia Center for Outcome Research on Mental Health’s (LiCORMH) health initiatives target unique, often ignored, areas of mental health in Liberia. For instance, LiCORMH now situates sexual abuse under a “fallout of war,” raising attention to the issue as connected to disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of the citizens reaching adulthood today are survivors of a civil war in the country that began when they were children. A study showed that 50% of Liberians are coping with PTSD. The country’s growing dedication to mental health helps these survivors deal with their PTSD.

The Carter Center

The Carter Center, as indicated by its motto prominently displayed on the front page of its website — “Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope” — grapples with the challenge of realizing this mission in Liberia’s fight against mental afflictions. The organization has trained an army of public health workers in mental health care, ranging everywhere from crisis intervention to diagnoses of mental health afflictions. Additionally, The Carter Center has played a crucial role in community education on mental health, empowering individuals with tools for self-help. Furthermore, the organization focuses on training health workers in self-care.

John F. Kennedy Medical Health Center

Located in the capital city, Monrovia, boasting 50 years of experience, 1000 employees and 57,000 patients a year, the JFK Medical Health Center is Liberia’s “largest referral hospital.” The E.S Grant Mental Health Hospital, a part of the JFK Medical Health Center, is the only hospital combatting mental health in Liberia. It has enough room to care for 80 patients and the workforce to offer outpatient advice to those suffering from mental health concerns.

Child Resource Institute

Tackling mental health is a lofty goal and its aims and strategies must have broad reach and circumspect plans. The Child Resource Institute connects women and children to programs that enable them to become self-sufficient and proactive members of their societies. Despite its economic goals, the institute’s actions affect mental health, too. It builds pathways for Liberian citizens toward brighter futures.

Final Remark

The struggle is far from over, but support for mental health in Liberia will guarantee that the country continues to move in the right direction and that every citizen receives the care they deserve.

– Antonio Muhs
Photo: Flickr