Global Health Unfiltered Blog
Lifestyle Diseases – It’s Time for a Rebrand
Non-communicable diseases are a global killer, but do 33 million people a year really choose to get sick?
Heart disease. Cancer. Lung disease. Diabetes. Together, these diseases kill 33 million people a year, and they can all — in one way or another — be linked back to the way we live our lives.
How High Taxes Are Blocking Access to Cancer Care in Africa
Imagine having to choose between life-saving cancer treatment and feeding your family.This is the reality for over 1 million new cancer patients in Africa who spend over 2,300 USD on average for treatment every year. Compare this against an average income of 2,156 USD per capita. As an orthopaedic oncologist, I often resort to older, less effective treatments for my patients because newer options are unaffordable due to high taxes, highlighting the financial strain on our healthcare system. Tax policies on healthcare inputs—such as medical supplies, equipment, and pharmaceuticals—significantly hinder access to cancer care and compromise treatment quality. These policies need urgent reform towards universal health coverage.
The Power of Partnership: Global Brain Surgery Initiative in Ghana
I had seen and manipulated human brains during my neuroanatomy dissection but this observership was nothing short of transformative. It not only deepened my understanding of neurosurgical procedures but also underscored the critical role of international collaboration in advancing global healthcare.
Why Millions Face a Healthcare System That Falls Short of Its Promise
Imagine a world where the sanctuaries of healing become the silent arenas of suffering. This is not a dystopian fiction but a reality for millions in the developing world, where healthcare facilities, instead of being safe havens, are fraught with hidden dangers. Over 5 million lives are lost each year to the silent epidemic of poor-quality healthcare—an epidemic that claims more lives than HIV, malaria, and diabetes combined. Yet, it remains a shadowy presence, often overlooked in the global health discourse.
A Simple Way to Prevent Birth Defects
Imagine a world where a simple addition to our daily diet could prevent severe birth defects. This is the promise of folic acid fortification, a topic that sparked intense debate at the recent International Society for Paediatric Neurosurgeons Conference in Accra, Ghana. As an aspiring pediatrician, I was thrilled to be part of these crucial conversations.
Why Cameroon Should Take Action Against Hepatitis B
Blake Zuwui's story sheds light on the formidable barriers to Hepatitis care and treatment in Cameroon: the scarcity of testing, the pervasive ignorance about the disease, and the prohibitive costs associated with screening, diagnosis, and care. These obstacles are not insurmountable; they demand targeted solutions and a collective resolve to dismantle them.
A Ticking Time Bomb: The Urgent Need for CPR Training
Emergencies don’t wait. They strike without warning, and our best defense is preparedness. By investing in CPR training, we are not merely teaching a skill but saving lives. It is a matter of public health urgency. Every individual has the potential to be a hero.
The Shadow Pandemic: How Depression Silently Undermines Global Health
Witnessing a suicide sparked by the silent struggle of a neighbor, a woman burdened by an undisclosed depression that ultimately led to her tragic demise. It was a stark reminder that battles, both fierce and silent, can be waged beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.
A Drop in the Bucket: Why Clean Water is a Global Crisis Demanding Action
Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” Indeed, water is the lifeblood of our planet, a fundamental resource that sustains every aspect of our existence. Yet, access to safe water remains a global health challenge often overshadowed by other pressing issues.
AfroPRS: A New Era for Plastic Surgery in Africa
Recognizing the plastic and reconstructive surgery gap in Africa, we founded the Association of Future African Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AfroPRS). Our mission is to address the specialist workforce deficit and counter the media misconceptions surrounding the field.
Of Sirens, Long Radiotherapy Wait Times, and the Ghanaian Cancer Patient
The juxtaposition of MPs demanding sirens for convenience against the backdrop of a faltering healthcare system highlights a glaring misalignment in priorities. While MPs seek to navigate traffic more efficiently, cancer patients are navigating a far more perilous journey—a journey marred by uncertainty, fear, and, often, a lack of timely medical intervention.
Reframing Hospice Care: A Sanctuary of Life
While the word “hospice” often evokes thoughts of death and suffering, it's important to understand that this perception is not the full picture. In reality, hospice care is a compassionate lifeline that provides comfort, support, and a focus on quality of life.
Le Secteur Pharmaceutique Privé: Un Axe Négligé Dans la Lute Contre la Résistance aux Antimicrobiens en Républic Démocratique du Congo
Dans les couloirs de la santé publique en République Démocratique du Congo, un ennemi silencieux mais redoutable s’infiltre : la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM). Ce phénomène, qui menace l’efficacité des traitements contre les maladies infectieuses, est exacerbé par l’utilisation abusive et irrationnelle des antimicrobiens.
Antimicrobial Resistance; the next global health challenge
Imagine a future where the simple act of taking antibiotics could be futile, where common infections once easily treated become life-threatening. This is not a distant dystopia; it’s a reality we are inching towards every day due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). By 2050, AMR could claim 10 million lives annually, surpassing the death toll of diseases like HIV and malaria.
Climate Justice Can't Happen Without Us: Why Disability Inclusion Matters
I see an alarming gap in the fight for climate justice: the absence of voices from the disability community. While an estimated 1.3 billion people – approximately 16% of the global population worldwide – experience a significant disability today, their needs and perspectives are often overlooked.
From Coverage to Equity: Rethinking Gender in Immunization
While vaccination rates for girls and boys may appear similar, a closer look reveals a different story. Gender roles, norms, and access to resources create a web of barriers that disproportionately impact women, girls, and marginalized communities.
Enhancing Beauty Safely: Navigating the Complexities of Plastic Surgery in Africa
In the wake of a high-profile incident involving Nigerian actress Romata Adetu, the conversation around the safety of plastic surgery in Africa has surged with urgency. The allure of cosmetic enhancement, amplified by social media’s pervasive influence, has led to a dramatic increase in procedures like the Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)—a trend that is not without its risks.
A Global Call to Arms Against Antimicrobial Resistance
A 2019 report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reveals a staggering 1.27 million deaths directly linked to drug-resistant infections, with the highest mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The culprit? Misuse of antibiotics and a lack of awareness about AMR among both the public and healthcare professionals in LMICs.
When Motherhood Becomes a Battle: Fighting Postpartum Depression in Africa
In South Africa alone, up to 40 percent of new mothers suffer from PPD, yet these cases are underreported and misunderstood. The societal belief that PPD does not affect African mothers is a dangerous misconception that leaves many women suffering in silence.
A Zambian Boy, a Paper cut, and the World We Should Build
In 2019 alone, an estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of this burden. AMR threatens to push us into a terrifying future where once-treatable infections become untreatable.