Lifestyle Diseases – It’s Time for a Rebrand
Jennifer Ruthe Jennifer Ruthe

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.

Read More
How High Taxes Are Blocking Access to Cancer Care in Africa
Health Systems Dr. Nicholas Okumu Health Systems Dr. Nicholas Okumu

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. 

Read More
The Power of Partnership: Global Brain Surgery Initiative in Ghana
Health Systems, Capacity Building Ernest Adu Asamoah Health Systems, Capacity Building Ernest Adu Asamoah

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.

Read More
Why Millions Face a Healthcare System That Falls Short of Its Promise
Health Systems Musa Abba Mohammed, MPH Health Systems Musa Abba Mohammed, MPH

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.

Read More
A Simple Way to Prevent Birth Defects
Non-Communicable Diseases Maureen Oluwaseun Adeboye Non-Communicable Diseases Maureen Oluwaseun Adeboye

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.

Read More
Why Cameroon Should Take Action Against Hepatitis B
Infectious Diseases Akem Olives Nkwain Infectious Diseases Akem Olives Nkwain

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.

Read More
A Drop in the Bucket: Why Clean Water is a Global Crisis Demanding Action
Naomi Chikezie Naomi Chikezie

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.

Read More
Of Sirens, Long Radiotherapy Wait Times, and the Ghanaian Cancer Patient
Policy Dr. Emmanuella Amoako and Dr. Lily Gloria Tagoe Policy Dr. Emmanuella Amoako and Dr. Lily Gloria Tagoe

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.

Read More
Reframing Hospice Care: A Sanctuary of Life
Policy Nithin Solomon Policy Nithin Solomon

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.

Read More
Le Secteur Pharmaceutique Privé: Un Axe Négligé Dans la Lute Contre la Résistance aux Antimicrobiens en Républic Démocratique du Congo
Infectious Diseases Richard Bokele Infectious Diseases Richard Bokele

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.

Read More
Antimicrobial Resistance; the next global health challenge
Infectious Diseases Oluchi Mbamalu Infectious Diseases Oluchi Mbamalu

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.

Read More
Enhancing Beauty Safely: Navigating the Complexities of Plastic Surgery in Africa
Culture Alice Umutoni Culture Alice Umutoni

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.

Read More
A Global Call to Arms Against Antimicrobial Resistance
Infectious Diseases Ugochi Stellamaris Inweregbu Infectious Diseases Ugochi Stellamaris Inweregbu

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.

Read More