Archive for category: Health

Information and stories on health topics.

Advancements in Rural Health Care in the Philippines

Rural Health Care in the PhilippinesIn recent years, health care in rural areas of the Philippines has undergone significant advancements, bridging the gap between urban and rural health care access. These developments have brought about positive changes, ensuring that residents in remote regions have access to quality health care services. Some key areas of advancement in rural health care in the Philippines include telemedicine services, health clinic mobility, infrastructure, the role of community health workers and health programs.

Telemedicine

One of the most notable advancements in rural health care is the implementation of telemedicine. The Philippines, where 52% of the population resides in rural areas, has become known as the “texting capital of the world.” This means that through the use of technology, health care professionals can remotely diagnose and treat patients in rural areas. This allows individuals to receive medical advice and consultations without the need for long and costly journeys to urban centers, while also allowing medical professionals who do live and work in rural areas to refer problematic cases to more equipped urban professionals. 

Telemedicine increases access to health care in rural areas and engages rural communities with specialized health information. Furthermore, telemedicine allows general practitioners immediate access to expert consultations.

Mobile Health Units

To reach the most remote areas, mobile health units have been deployed. These units bring health care services directly to communities that lack access to medical facilities. Equipped with medical professionals and necessary equipment, these units provide vital services such as vaccinations, basic check-ups and health education programs. 

For example, UNICEF organized mobile health clinics for the Odette typhoon-affected areas of the Philippines, such as Limasawa and Southern Leyte. Individuals within these areas received immediate access to free health care after the typhoon disrupted the usual health services within the community. These mobile health units have become a vital part of people’s lives. 

The fact that these disadvantaged areas are already faced with disrupted health services, unsanitary conditions and a lack of access to basic necessities such as clean food and water only exacerbates the outbreak of disease, malnutrition and health concerns. This is why mobile health units are a crucial advancement of health care in the rural Philippines in order to provide immediate and more convenient health care to areas that need it most such as those living in poverty or those in areas affected by natural disasters.

Improved Infrastructure

In recent years, the Philippine government has made significant investments in improving health care infrastructure in rural areas. This includes the construction and renovation of health care facilities, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle various medical needs. 

As of 2020, there were approximately 1,526 rural health units across the country, providing essential health care services to remote communities. Additionally, the government has also allocated funds for the construction and renovation of rural health centers, improving access to health care facilities for approximately 25 million people in rural areas. Upgrades in medical equipment, diagnostic tools and lavatory facilities have also been implemented, enhancing the quality of care provided in rural communities.

Community Health Workers

Community health workers play an important role in the primary health care workforce for many low-income countries in order to reach more rural and disadvantaged areas, and the Philippines was one of its earliest adopters, launching the Barangay Health Worker program in the early 1980s. Since then, the role of community health workers (CHWs) continues to be instrumental in delivering health care services to rural areas within the Philippines. 

These dedicated individuals, often from the local community, receive training to provide basic health care services, health promotion and disease prevention. They serve as a vital link between the community and health care facilities, ensuring that health care is accessible and tailored to the specific needs of the rural population. The CHWs improve the impact of health care access in rural areas, as well as influence other community members to become part of the program to increase their own medical expertise and promote health awareness in rural communities.

Health Education and Awareness

Efforts to improve health care in rural areas go beyond physical infrastructure and services. Health education and awareness programs have been implemented to empower individuals with knowledge about preventative measures, proper nutrition and hygiene practices. These initiatives aim to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the prevalence of preventable diseases in rural communities. 

The Department of Health in the Philippines provides diverse health programs to meet yearly national objectives. One organization named Child’s Hope aims to improve the health care of children living in poverty within the Philippines and aims to better the nutrition and health access for children living in the streets within remote areas, providing free mentoring and health care whilst encouraging children’s efforts in education in order to try and lift them out of poverty in later life.

The advancements in rural health care in the Philippines have made a significant impact on the lives of individuals residing in remote areas. Through the implementation of telemedicine, mobile health units, improved infrastructure, community health workers and health education programs, access to quality health care services has improved. These advancements are crucial steps towards ensuring that health care is accessible, equitable and of high quality for all Filipinos, bridging the gap in health care access in rural communities.

– Ellis Nicoll
Photo: Flickr

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The Doctors Helping Those in Need Amid Health Care Collapse in Sudan

Health Care CollapseOn April 15, 2023, conflict erupted again between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces, resulting in more than 400 deaths and a further 3,700 injured. The health care system in Sudan is under immense strain and could collapse as it tries to cope with the casualties.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 11 million people require health care assistance in Sudan, and 80% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are no longer functional due to the violence, destruction and interruption to access deliveries and essential resources. Since April, the WHO has found more than 50 attacks targeting health facilities, transport, health workers and patients.

To help with this health care collapse and to relieve the pressure on the health care system in Sudan, Doctors and humanitarian aid organizations have come forward to offer their critical skills and help with the crisis.

The Doctorbase App Helps Those in Need of Urgent Care

Ahmed Mujtaba runs the innovative health app y. It was created to provide health care advice to address existing issues such as poverty, with the poverty rate steadily rising from 32.2% in 2022 in Sudan. When war broke out, the app had an influx of people seeking desperate help as the violence escalated and more people were displaced. In response, dozens of doctors worldwide have signed up to advise those needing medical help, teach essential medical aid, offer potential diagnoses and direct people to the nearest functional medical facility. 

Doctors Without Borders Rapidly Respond to the Crisis

Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has worked relentlessly across Sudan to help those in need by providing emergency trauma care to those wounded. It created mobile clinics as hospitals were destroyed and provided clean drinking water to those displaced all over the country. The logistics team delivered fuel and critical supplies to the remaining hospitals.

The organization deployed a specialist surgical team to Bashair Teaching Hospital, performing 587 essential procedures in July. It also treated thousands of children for malnutrition. Since April, around 50,000 children with acute malnutrition have had their treatment disrupted due to the conflict, aggravated by a sharp decline in international aid.

WHO’s Public Health Expert Stays Behind to Offer Critical Assistance

The World Health Organization’s Sudanese public health expert, Dr. Nader Makki, stayed behind voluntarily amid the crisis to offer his critically needed specialist support. Political insecurity, fuel shortages and a lack of internet access have exacerbated the strain on the health care system in Sudan. Still, Makki has been facing these challenges with more than 18 years of experience in humanitarian settings behind him.

After relocating his family to a safe place, he helped set up the World Health Organization Emergency Hub in Gezira. He coordinated emergency response, negotiated, led supply distribution and provided technical and strategic support.

While the future of the health care system in Sudan remains uncertain and many remain at risk, these doctors and organizations will continue to work tirelessly to provide desperately needed health care.

– Maia Winter 
Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About Health Initiatives in Guatemala

Health Initiatives in Guatemala
With a population of more than 17.9 million people, Guatemala is the “most populous country in Central America.” Although it boasts a high birth rate, Guatemala suffers from various health issues, such as malnutrition and stunting, HIV and child and maternal mortality. According to the Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM) Guatemala, Guatemala holds “one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world,” with almost half of all Guatemalan children under age 5 suffering from chronic malnutrition. The following five facts about health initiatives in Guatemala detail the positive efforts being made to provide support and resources to those in need.

5 Health Initiatives in Guatemala

  1. The USAID Health and Nutrition Project – USAID partnered with Jhpiego to improve the accessibility of health care resources to Guatemalans. The Health and Nutrition Project (PSN) assists the Ministry of Health (MSPAS) in western Guatemala by increasing access to much-needed family resources. As the two regions of focus, Quiche and Huehuetenango, hold the “highest neonatal mortality rates and malnutrition rates in the country.” This project aims to provide additional training to health care workers and improved access to contraceptives, maternal and neonatal care.  With a $19.4 million budget, this program has already achieved “measurable improvement” in its quality of health care services for malnutrition and neonatal care, along with its training of more than 100 midwifery technicians. This project has also implemented the tool “Rueda de Prácticas para Vivir Mejor” into more than 4,000 homes, providing 19 healthy practices for parents to implement in their newborn children’s lives. 
  2. Aid From the World Food Programme (WFP) – The World Food Programme (WFP) provided nutrition training and emergency food resources to Guatemalans in need. In 2020, the Guatemalan government instituted the “National Crusade for Nutrition,” which primarily focuses on reducing malnutrition by providing health care resources and promoting wellness. To aid this initiative, WFP has focused its $12.3 million budget on providing Guatemalans with emergency food assistance and workshop sessions on nutrition. Through these efforts, WFP has aided more than 14,000 individuals in June 2023 alone. This has provided more than 6,000 people with “capacity building sessions on nutrition,” and trained more than 1,000 people on school feeding programs. 
  3. USAID’s Partnership With Intrahealth to Tackle HIV/AIDS – USAID partnered with Intrahealth to provide support and resources to HIV patients. Due to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, there remains a great need for technical assistance, funds and information to be provided to Guatemalan HIV patients. With a budget of more than $10.9 million, this five-year project contributes to health initiatives in Guatemala by reducing misinformation and “improving the quality of life” of those affected by providing quality resources and support. Between 2021 and 2022, this project provided diagnostic support to more than 600 individuals, administering more than 17,000 HIV tests by newly trained medical staff. This project has also provided treatment services to more than 11,000 patients across eight clinics in the Guatemalan region.
  4. ODIM Guatemala’s Healthy Mommy & Me Community Program – ODIM Guatemala provides maternal and neonatal support through Healthy Mommy & Me. As children face development issues due to malnutrition and lack of resources, ODIM Guatemala instituted its Healthy Mommy & Me community program. Since 2015, this program has assisted 120 mothers and their children annually, providing them with “four methods of intervention” to promote positive growth. These methods provide health care for both mothers and their children up to 2 years old, aid healthy development through education and nutritional diets and supplements and provide opportunities for mental support. With a $45,000 budget for 2023, this health initiative in Guatemala aims to provide “multi-faceted, evidence-based and culturally-aligned” philosophies to aid the community. 
  5. Mayan Health Initiative Treatment Centers – The Mayan Health Initiative established two rehabilitation centers for Guatemalans with disabilities. As discussed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, roughly 10% of Guatemalans live with a disability. Although a number of treatment centers exist, religious beliefs, location and other “constraints” create a barrier between seeking and instituting treatment. To aid health initiatives in Guatemala, the Mayan Health Initiative established two treatment centers in Guatemala’s rural areas that prioritize physical, speech and occupational therapy among patients. Since 2014, this program has aided children with cardiac and orthopedic issues, providing a wide range of support for families to afford and prioritize this treatment. The combined centers aid more than 200 families and continue to grow annually. Because of the Mayan Health Institute’s impact, they state that their “most pressing challenge” involves “an increase in patient demand” as Guatemalans throughout the area travel specifically for their services and support.

 Looking Ahead

These five facts about health initiatives in Guatemala show the positive efforts being made to reduce the barrier between accessibility to health care services and those in need. As malnutrition and mortality rates rise considerably amongst indigenous people in Guatemala, it is imperative that additional resources break the inequities and boost positive growth. 

With additional resources, funds and support allocated by NGOs and community programs, Guatemala can begin to shed its label of holding the “highest rate of stunting in the Western Hemisphere.” It is imperative that Guatemala’s most vulnerable communities receive the necessary support that can lift them out of poverty and provide them with sustainable and healthy lifestyles.

– Kristina Gaffney
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Poverty in Nauru: A Domino Effect

Poverty in Nauru
The economic situation of Nauru is unique in many ways. As a Commonwealth country, the small state receives a great amount of foreign aid. In 2021, the World Bank declared Nauru a high-income country. The GDP growth of the country was 3.3% that year, a large increase compared to previous years. For example, in 2017 the GDP growth was -6.5%. Despite this, poverty in Nauru remains prevalent.

Due to its small size, as the smallest Commonwealth State, the country has a limited supply of natural resources. According to the United Nations, one in four civilians live below the poverty line in the country. Nauru has a shorter life expectancy than all other Pacific Islands, which was 64 years as of 2021. The average life expectancy for the region is 74.2 years, so Nauru falls 10 years below the expected levels.

Nauru once possessed a much more positive economic standing. Due to the phosphate extraction industry, the country’s economy was booming during the 1970s and 1980s. The country’s GDP per capita reflects this. In 1972, it was $2,882. Yet, in 1980, it was $5,489. However, this has ravaged almost 80% of the island’s land. This threatens the county’s agriculture, which experts have predicted will only worsen as temperatures increase.

Food Poverty

During the 2021 United Nations Food System Summit, the U.N. highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty in Nauru. Food security and nutrition remain focal points regarding poverty in Nauru. In 2021, the United Nations noted that Nauru imports more than 90% of its food. However, these goods have low nutritional value, with high levels of fat and salt.

The 2021 United Nations Food System Summit aimed for all Nauru people to reach food security by 2030. The U.N. plans to implement this by improving the agricultural sector of the country. Rehabilitation of Nauruan land will allow for more nutritious food to be grown within the country. Currently, the country relies on imported goods with low nutritional value.

Health Care

As for food nutrition, Nauru has a high obesity rate. The country has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes globally. According to Diabetes.co.uk, roughly 40% of civilians have the condition. The community page also cites that 71% of the Nauruan population is overweight.

According to UNICEF, anemia is also a cause for concern within the country’s health care system. This condition affects 51% of children under 5 years old. This disproportionately affects women, with 51% of pregnant women and 32% of non-pregnant women having the condition.

This links to a wider issue concerning Nauru health care. The Global Health Security Index ranks Nauru in the last out of 16 Oceanic countries. The country’s health care capacity is below average, ranking 93rd out of 195.

Improving Nauru’s Health Care System

However, Australia is funding projects to strengthen Nauru’s health care system through the Nauru Intergenerational Trust Fund. From 2023 to 2024, Australia has a $25.9 million budget to support this scheme. The Australian Government notes: “We invest in Nauru’s health system to strengthen health preparedness through community-based health clinics and targeted technical assistance whilst addressing infectious disease outbreaks and non-communicable diseases (SDG 3).”

However, this aid extends beyond government bodies. For example, Hesperian Health Guides. a nonprofit founded in the U.S. in 1973, tackles poverty in Nauru by helping “all people take greater control over their health and work to eliminate the underlying causes of poor health.” The nonprofit generates educational health resources and it prides itself in translating these in more than 85 languages.

Currently, a clear cause and effect has resulted in poverty in Nauru. Phosphate mining destroyed Nauran agriculture, contributing to food insecurity in the country. Thus, the population relies on non-nutritional, imported goods. This has heightened obesity rates, which in turn has further strained Nauruan health care. However, due to the small state’s status as a Commonwealth country, Naura has received increased humanitarian aid to tackle this domino effect.

– Bethany Brown
Photo: Flickr

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What Universal Vaccination Could Mean for the Global Poor

Universal VaccinationPandemics can happen at any time — a fact that the world has become painfully aware of in the last few years. COVID-19 taught modern people the devastating effects of emerging infectious diseases or EIDs, and as a result, more discussions about vaccination have opened up. Vaccines can save lives, but for the global poor, access to this resource is less than ideal. Universal vaccination would transform the health and livelihoods of impoverished people around the world, allowing them to live healthily in the face of many devastating diseases. 

Sickness and Poverty

Around the world, illness wreaks havoc on impoverished people. Poor health is rooted in political, social and economic injustices — making poverty both a cause and effect of poor health. The poorer one is, the more likely they are to fall ill. If someone is ill, the more likely they are to deal with unrealistic financial burdens, trapping them in poverty. 

There are a few diseases in particular that disproportionately affect low-income populations, called poverty-related diseases, or PRDs. Two out of three deaths among children in Africa and Southeast Asia are due to just six diseases: tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, measles, pneumonia and diarrheal disease. Combined with childbirth complications, these diseases kill 14 million people annually. The three largest PRDs, AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, make up 18% of all diseases in poor countries. Yet, approximately 30% of the global population, and 50% of the poorest parts of Africa and Asia, do not have regular access to necessary medicine. This statistic staggers even higher for marginalized groups and vulnerable individuals, who are often deprived of information, money or access to health care that would help them treat each disease. Essentially, although the poorest parts of the world are most impacted by illness, they have the least access to necessary care. 

Vaccine Access for the Global Poor

Vaccines are a treatment for many PRDs, though they too are difficult for the global poor to access. Taking the COVID-19 vaccines as an example, as of October 2022, only 25% of the population living in low-income countries have received at least one dose of a vaccine. Meanwhile, high-income countries enjoy a rate of 72%.

Similarly, cholera vaccines are internationally available but seldom used in public health settings in developing countries where they are vitally needed. The HPV vaccine shares similar statistics, as it has been introduced in only 41% of low-income countries but 83% of high-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines for diseases associated with “markets that are deemed to have little commercial value remain neglected.” According to the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, “The right to health includes the right to vaccines, and yet this new report shows that free market dynamics are depriving some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people of that right.”

There have been efforts to share vaccines with the global poor that show just how beneficial access can be. Since 2019, Malawi, Ghana and Kenya have participated in the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP), coordinated by the WHO and funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Unitaid to deliver the malaria vaccine in their respective countries. The vaccine has been administered to more than 1.7 million children, leading to a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a decrease in child deaths. 

Universal Vaccination

Universal vaccination would change the world — access to preventative care against PRDs would allow low-income communities to transform their livelihoods, no longer nearly as consistently devastated by death and disease. Vaccinating the world helps prevent new emerging variants, support health systems and save countries from lasting economic damage. In fact, if low-income countries had the same vaccination rate against COVID-19 as high-income countries in September last year (around 54%) they would have increased their GDP by $16.27 billion. Again, COVID-19 acts as an example of what universal vaccination against all PRDs and EIDs could do. Beyond good health, fair access to vaccines allows a chance for development in many areas.

– Char Nieberding
Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty and Immunity: An Inextricable Correlation

Poverty and Immunity
Poverty emerges as a relentless enemy across nations, holding millions of lives at its mercy. While the implications of poverty on basic necessities have been studied, a consequence lies hidden within the fine lines of public health — the impact of poverty on the immune system. This article delves into the relationship between poverty and immunity in developing countries, exploring the lack of health measures, and how they intertwine to shape the vulnerability of populations. 

Poor Sanitation Leads to Poor Immunity

Two billion people across the world lack access to clean water and proper sanitation measures, while 10% of the world’s population does not have latrines or means of disposing of waste. The outright lack of sanitation in almost all cases results in pollution of water and food resources due to frequent open defecation and improper treatment. Then begins the vicious cycle of illness, as the constant presence of bacteria in communities can be fatal.

With the constant onslaught of diseases due to substandard sanitation, the bodies of impoverished people can grow weaker without nutrients to strengthen them. A study that Parasite Immunology published states that parasites known as helminths modify the immune system of the host, which results in a damaged immune response to vaccinations and other pathogens. 

Malnutrition and Immunity

Nourishing oneself is vital to provide nutrients to the body in order for several different organ and body functions to perform as normal. When a person does not ingest enough proper food, this can cause an entire host of issues for the body. 

Nutrients that the body needs in small amounts are known as micronutrients. They are small portions of vitamins and minerals that produce substances necessary for the development of the body. Deficiencies in these nutrients are common in low-income countries due to the lack of proper nutrition, which can have damaging effects. 

When there is a lack of nutrients in the body, infections that are contracted can prompt an immune reaction, showing another link between poverty and immunity. These infections can cause fever and bodily irregularities. Malnutrition is a major player in how severe an infection is — it is much more severe in those who have a lack of nutrients in their bodies to support the immune system’s counterattack. 

Limited Access to Health Care 

Without money, it is impossible to access health care across the world, especially as treatments evolve and become increasingly complicated. As a result, poor health restricts workers in developing nations from working properly — and this creates a merciless cycle, limiting one’s capacity to work to earn and to help themselves. Furthermore, several studies display that the wealthiest percentage of people are most often in good health because they are able to finance their health care while working. 

Another grave issue that lack of health care poses in developing nations is an absence of treatments for chronic and incurable diseases. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS are extremely common in poor nations, as they often spread unchecked without a timely preventative response. This results in unbridled death rates and a weakening population that cannot take care of themselves. 

With incurable diseases such as coronary heart disease and HIV/AIDS reigning at the top of prevalent diseases in developing countries, a lack of health care can cause the condition of populations to deteriorate. Both of these diseases gradually tear down the defenses of the immune system, and in the long term, carriers will be more susceptible to falling fatally ill from any disease in their path. 

Making a Change

Though the situation may seem bleak regarding the link between poverty and immunity, there are millions of people working to turn it around. Detailed below are three programs that aim to combat the lack of sanitation, widespread malnutrition and lack of health care that so many poverty-stricken people face. 

  • Sanitation: USAID uses the “Global Water Strategy” to reach people in need across all walks of life. The goal of this program is to increase access to sanitation measures and enhance the care of freshwater across the world. Thus far, the program has been able to provide 65 million people with sanitary drinking water, while 51 million people now have access to sanitation services for everyday excrement.
  • Malnutrition: In response to food insecurity crises across the world, USAID congregated to expend billions of dollars of aid to the countries that were most in need. This program, which was officially dubbed “Food for Peace,” provided millions of people who were severely affected by chronic and generational poverty with food during difficult times — whether they were climate-, conflict- or health-related.
  • Health Care: To combat diseases impairing the potential of impoverished populations, the Bridge of Life Foundation aims to build up global health care through programs that eradicate and treat chronic diseases. Since 2006, the organization has trained community health workers to treat their populations, distributed necessary equipment and improved treatment measures across 15 developing countries.

Looking Ahead 

With organizations such as USAID working to allocate funds and resources to populations in need of food and water and The Bridge of Life providing life-saving health care to struggling populations, the state of these populations will improve extraordinarily over time. By empowering communities and providing necessities, it is possible to break down health care disparities and ensure a thriving future for people in developing countries. 

– Divya Shankar
Photo: Pixabay

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5 Ways MSF is Tackling Noma in Nigeria

Noma in Nigeria
Noma, a disfiguring tropical disease in Nigeria, is a preventable and treatable condition that has unfortunately been neglected in impoverished areas in Nigeria. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has taken significant steps to support noma patients and combat the disease. Here is some information about noma and how MSF is tackling noma in Nigeria.

What is Noma?

Noma is an infectious but non-contagious bacterial disease that affects the face, primarily afflicting children between 2 and 5 years old living in impoverished conditions. Despite available preventions and cures, only up to 15% of affected children survive. Noma spreads rapidly, causing devastating damage to facial tissue and bones. Many survivors of the tropical disease in Nigeria are left with severe facial disfigurements and endure discrimination from their communities. The scars left from noma can lead to growth disturbances and result in functional impairment, making basic functions such as eating and speaking challenging. Here are five ways MSF is addressing noma in Nigeria.

5 Ways MSF is Tackling Noma in Nigeria

  1. Advocating for Global Attention: MSF recognizes the lack of epidemiological data and research on noma due to its neglected status. To address this, MSF, alongside 30 countries, has asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to officially include noma in its list of neglected tropical diseases. This addition would bring much-needed attention from professionals and ensure early symptom recognition and timely intervention. The WHO will likely decide on this matter during one of its biannual meetings in 2023.
  2. Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The lack of attention that noma receives is a major human rights violation. Noma thrives in regions where poverty deprives families of access to food and medical care. In addition to noma, affected children often struggle with other preventable diseases such as measles and malaria due to a lack of accessible vaccinations. In response, MSF began to fight for the implementation of SDGs to address the underlying causes of noma and improve overall health in affected families and communities.
  3. Conducting Community Outreach Programs: Early detection of noma remains a challenge, with many parents and local healers unaware of the disease’s symptoms until it is too late. MSF has taken a proactive approach by leading numerous outreach programs in Nigerian communities. These initiatives educate parents, health care workers, community members and traditional healers to recognize the early signs of noma. By facilitating early intervention, these programs have been instrumental in preventing deaths and providing simple yet effective treatments like antibiotics, oral hygiene and wound dressing. Thanks to these outreach programs, outreach medical teams identify many patients and send them to Sokoto for treatment.
  4. Training Health Care Professionals: MSF recognizes the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of noma. In collaboration with the WHO, MSF has trained 740 Nigerian health workers to effectively detect and treat noma. Additionally, the Nigerian Ministry of Health has incorporated noma into the curricula of national and district health schools. On July 28, 2022, the WHO launched a free online interactive noma course that is available to anyone who wants to learn more about the disease.
  5. Providing Free Treatment and Care: MSF, in partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, has been offering free health care and surgeries to noma patients at the Children’s Hospital in Sokoto since 2014. This initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder patients’ access to essential medical interventions. The medical teams have provided 1,152 free surgeries to 801 patients, making a significant impact on the lives of those noma affected.

Looking Ahead

Free and accessible health care and SDG action plans have been crucial factors in noma prevention and treatment. MSF and other humanitarian organizations are making a remarkable difference in combating this neglected tropical disease in Nigeria. With ongoing dedication and support, it is possible to work towards a future where noma no longer exists. 

– Sophia Holub
Photo: Flickr

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Improving Health care Access in Rural Mali Via Mobile Clinics

Health care Access in Rural Mali
In a major stride towards improving health care access and combating poverty in rural Mali, a groundbreaking initiative featuring mobile clinics and telemedicine has taken center stage. Rural Mali has long faced the challenges of limited health care infrastructure, scarcity of medical professionals and inadequate resources. For years, these barriers have hindered communities from receiving timely medical attention, leading to preventable illnesses, lost productivity and a cycle of poverty that has been difficult to break.  

Mobile Clinics Reach Remote Villages

Mobile clinics have done miracles for health care access in rural Mali. In the regions of Gao and Mopti, where access to medical facilities was limited, Première Urgence Internationale, a local NGO partnered with the Malian government to deploy mobile clinics. These clinics, staffed with medical professionals, traversed difficult terrains to reach isolated villages that were previously cut off from health care services.  

The impact was evident as villagers received critical medical attention for conditions like malaria and respiratory infections. In addition to treating acute illnesses, the clinics focused on preventive measures, such as vaccinations and health education. This approach led to a decrease in preventable diseases, resulting in a healthier and more productive population. 

Furthermore, mobile clinics’ regular visits ensured better nutrition and early detection of health issues among children. This in turn leads to better school attendance rates which allows parents to devote more time to economic activities, breaking the cycle of poverty. 

Telemedicine Bridges the Gap

Telemedicine has played a pivotal role in providing specialized care to remote regions, reducing the burden on urban health care centers and providing essential health care access in rural Mali. In Kayes, a city with limited medical facilities, a telemedicine network was established to connect local clinics with medical experts in the capital city of Bamako. 

Expectant mothers in Kayes, who previously had to travel long distances for prenatal care, could now receive remote consultations with obstetricians. Complications during pregnancy were swiftly identified and early interventions saved lives. 

Moreover, telemedicine enabled the management of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. UNDP-led project SanDi has helped patients with virtual check-ups in regions like Sikasso which has its challenges accessing regular health care. Improved disease management means fewer medical emergencies and reduced health care expenses, freeing up resources for other essential needs. 

The Nexus Between Improved Health Care and Poverty Alleviation

The marriage of mobile clinics and telemedicine is proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against poverty. Here is how this solution-oriented approach is making a tangible difference:

  1. A Healthier Workforce: By receiving timely medical attention, villagers can stay healthy and productive. A healthier workforce translates into increased productivity, higher income levels and a reduced reliance on government aid. 
  2. Reduced Medical Expenses: Access to free or affordable health care in rural areas helps families save on medical expenses. Reduced health care costs mean more money can be channeled toward education, nutrition and other basic needs. 
  3. Improved Maternal and Child Health: Mobile clinics and telemedicine have significantly improved maternal and child health outcomes. Timely prenatal care and medical support during childbirth have reduced infant mortality rates, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation. 
  4. Enhanced Economic Opportunities: As health care improves, communities become more attractive to businesses and investments. Improved health infrastructure can pave the way for economic development, leading to more job opportunities and higher standards of living. 
  5. Empowering Women: With better health care access, women in rural areas can actively participate in the workforce, gain financial independence and contribute to their families’ well-being. 

Looking Forward

The success of improving health care access in rural Mali through mobile clinics and telemedicine is a testament to the power of innovation and collective action. With continued support from governments, non-governmental organizations and global partners, this initiative can be scaled up to bring lasting change and create a healthier, more prosperous future for all Malians. 

– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr

Health Care in Comoros

Health Care in ComorosAs one of the poorest countries in the world, Comoros experiences numerous challenges. This is exacerbated by the country’s history of political instability and a devastating socioeconomic climate. Poor health care has both a dramatic effect on the lifespan of Comorians and on their quality of life.

Political Instability and Health Care

The nation has struggled with political unrest since its independence from France on July 6, 1975. Because of recent laws, the average duration of each government has not been longer than six months. These political fluctuations have caused a major toll on health care in Comoros. 

During these 41 years of political unrest, Comoros experienced 21 coups, causing a massive health care crisis among the islands. These turbulent years made it harder to implement institutions that provide medical care to all people no matter their socio-economic status. 

Health Care Workers

Often, very skilled medical workers choose to migrate out of Comoros. Additionally, ever since its independence, the islands have struggled to distribute health care workers evenly across the country. This demands imperative action in Comoros to increase health care workers and organize better health care distribution processes so all people in Comoros can access safe and effective health care.

Health Issues

A weak health care system leads to illnesses and disorders that go undiagnosed or untreated. In Comoros, the most common health issues include malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, intestinal parasites, respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS, which is less common but equally fatal. These diseases and illnesses left untreated cause significant deaths, most commonly in children and pregnant women. 

The revival of old diseases like cholera, chikungunya, malaria and HIV/AIDS points to the political turmoil playing a big role in the poor health services in Comoros. It isn’t just diseases that cause health issues in Comorians, however. Over the years, children have continued to die from chronic malnutrition, illustrating the adverse state of poverty the nation is in. 

What is the Problem?

The years of political instability in Comoros have had drastic effects on poverty and health care. As there is no national health insurance in Comoros, the average Comorian will pay 45% of the cost of a health visit out of pocket. This elite group highlights the economic disparities people face in Comoros. Due to the national poverty levels, 60% of health workers in public facilities are unpaid volunteers.

Help in Times of Hardship

Because of the urgent need for a change of health care in Comoros, in 2019, the World Bank approved the Comprehensive Approach to Health System Strengthening Project (COMPASS). It has invested $30 million into the improvement of primary health care in Comoros. Its goal is to prioritize delivering aid to women and children under the age of five as well as to the general population.

The World Bank continues to reinforce better health care in Comoros by providing more accessible and affordable services to the general public. The organization creates better health institutions, trains more workers and provides rehabilitation services to patients. The World Bank also has also given Comoros a large quantity of equipment and vehicles that help medical workers on the islands. The project hopes to deliver quality and time-efficient care to patients with disease and illness outbreaks in Comoros. 

Comoros Takes Action

In recent years, Comoros has fought to control malaria, and the nation is close to succeeding, currently in the pre-elimination phase. Furthermore, the Comoros government has worked to reduce health care costs by more than 40% since 2010. 

Moreover, the islands have adopted a new national health policy for the period of 2015-2024. This initiative aims to end the cycle of poverty keeping people from accessing the health care that they need in Comoros. By creating more accessible health care the country can help combat the rising amount of devastating diseases that create a huge toll on the population. 

– Marina Blatt
Photo: Flickr

5 new developments in Vanuatu’s healthcare

Health Care in VanuatuAs a nation comprising around 80 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is a fascinating place. The capital city, Port Vila, is also the economic and commercial center of the nation and lies on the island of Efate. Vanuatu’s population, currently just under 320,000, is growing rather quickly with an average rate of 2.4% per year. Because of this, both domestic and international efforts are ongoing to improve health care in Vanuatu. The goal is to provide adequate medical care to those who live across the country’s many islands.

5 Current Developments in Health Care in Vanuatu

  1. Strengthening the Subnational Health Care Sector – UNICEF has implemented a new program in the Malampa province of Vanuatu, which includes three islands and has a population of approximately 43,000 people. The program aims to enhance the subnational healthcare sector at the provincial level by improving both preventive and curative care. UNICEF is also supporting the enhancement of the quality and efficiency of health services while focusing on maternal, child and newborn care.
  2. World Health Organization (WHO) Policy Objectives – WHO has partnered closely with Vanuatu’s government to support improving health services. The WHO’s National Sustainable Development Plan 2016–2030 outlines four key objectives that will be supported throughout the duration of the plan: ensuring Vanuatu has a fair distribution of health care services and facilities, reducing incidences of disease, encouraging healthy lifestyles and behaviors, and strengthening health care management capacity and services.
  3. Vanuatu’s Commitment to Universal Health Care – Vanuatu’s Health Sector Strategy 2021–2030, a guiding document created by the country’s government, outlines a commitment to creating a universal health care plan. The potential universal health care plan would have a focus on primary health care, including physical, mental and social health. It would also increase access to affordable primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care and would promote community engagement in Vanuatu’s health care program.
  4. United Nations Humanitarian Aid – According to the United Nations (U.N.), Vanuatu is the world’s most at-risk nation for natural disasters. The U.N. has committed to providing humanitarian aid and health services to the country after Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam placed 166,000 residents in need of urgent assistance in 2015 and TC Harold damaged 21,086 houses in 2020. The U.N.’s aid included providing clean water and sanitation, food, education and emergency shelter.
  5. U.S. Funding for ICU Renovations – Earlier this year, the U.S. approved funding for renovations to Vanuatu’s primary referral hospital, Vila Central Hospital (VCT). Currently, the hospital is not equipped with the materials needed to provide intensive care to patients. The U.S. funding will provide for a renovation at VCT that will create a two-bed isolation room and a four-bed ICU.

Improvements in healthcare in Vanuatu can potentially promote equality and unity in health services across all its islands, regardless of whether citizens live in large cities or small rural towns. With support from global organizations and leaders, and a commitment from the government of Vanuatu, the island nation has experienced economic growth and improved quality of life for its residents.

– Tristan Weisenbach
Photo: Flickr