Developing Countries Healthcare Issues and Charitable Organizations that Address Their Needs

Lesley Boone once said, “We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day.” When people think of world issues, many do not consider America’s stand point on the ordeal. They are unable to fully comprehend the growing lack of jobs, poverty, hunger, poor health care, and meager education that takes place across the nation. American charity foundations are often eager to jump to the rescue of other countries, but what about the detrimental issues that occur and worsen here every day? In the past, the majority of organizations are predominantly directed at foreign countries; helping places such as Ethiopia, India, Somalia, etc. While here, poverty and debt are increasing by surmountable amounts. Charities for other regions are beneficial, but shouldn’t people here be first priority? The majority of problems have the potential to be easily fixed. What happens when we have nothing left to give? If the United States does not soon take this into consideration, it could be hazardous and irreversible to the American society. When considering where America’s charitable hands should go, many things need to be taken into consideration such as; charities outside of the U.S., should America put more effort into problems here, the increasing debt and poverty levels, and how benefits of focusing more here. The first point of this essay will discuss problems within the

There is no universal fix to the complexities of each country and what they face with regards to their health care needs. Health care is a fundamental need among all peoples. Each country will have to work on solving the disparities that exist in access of care, funding of care, and availability of care. Because we now find ourselves facing the dilemma of fighting many infectious diseases once thought to be under control, we must work with all countries around the world. Every country faces the potential of an outbreak of a disease like SARS or a terrorism strike involving biological or chemical agents. Global initiatives to improve the health of nations across the board regardless of resources in these nations will benefit all. We need to continue with consistent and comprehensive measures to ensure health equity to all (Williams & Torrens, 2010).

The residents of Africa are suffering from preventable, treatable, and fatal diseases everyday at a higher rate compared to developed countries. The healthcare crisis in Africa is the primary cause of all these deaths, and includes inefficient healthcare systems. Consequently, African's inefficient healthcare systems results in poor delivery of care and a shortage of health professionals. The healthcare crisis in Africa is a current issue impacting the lives of many African's who don't have the same access to resources as developed countries such as the United States. These resources can save the lives of many African's dying of preventable and curable disease, and understanding why the African continent has little access to them

Throughout the world, there are many humanitarian organizations, there are many that we don’t know of. Some of these humanitarian programmes range from local, national to international. There will be one of each of these organizations introduced.

The past decade is likely to be hailed as a period of unprecedented activism for global health in international affairs. This particular brand of activism is characterised by unparalleled amounts of monetary aid, last totalling a sum of US$31.3 billion in

Being granted unlimited resource is an opportunity that few, if any have had. Alongside being given this amazing opportunity, the person carries the burden of choosing between several dilemmas that affect the Earth and its inhabitants. People living in economic disenfranchisement and war-torn countries are affected at a higher rate than those that suffer from the same affliction in developed nations. Many third and second world countries often lack the necessary access to hygienic medical supplies and treatment. The environment that a country’s residents dwell in, especially children, should help them grow and thrive. Too often in these countries, the political, social, and economic environment create crises in which children are fighting illnesses

One major health issue is the presence malaria in developing countries which affects half the world’s population in the poorest parts of the world. It is estimated that more than 3,000 children die from malaria every day. The UN, with the help of World Health Organization, launched the Rock Back Malaria Initiative in 1998, which is movement to improve the lives in those places and prevent the disease overall. A foundation Nothing but Nets was created by the UN to raise money and awareness for the cause. Sponsorships from big associations like the Major League Soccer, and the National Basketball Association and Junior Chamber International helped raise $35 million dollars and helped distribute to over 25 countries in Africa (Preventing Malaria Deaths). Yet international relations can also help countries understand diseases in their own country. I conducted an interview with Saba Danwala, an international health analyst at the US Department of Health and Human Services, who deals with working with developing countries analyzing the affections of infectious disease. She mentions that “International relations has a greater part to play [in a world with so much information] I see this for countries wanting to improve their health systems, for instance. The diplomats who speak to the higher powers in these countries can sway a president, for

Doctors Without Borders was founded in 1971 by a group of 12 French doctors. The doctors worked with the Red Cross providing medical aid during the Nigerian civil war in Biafra. These doctors witnessed the starvation of many civilians, and they were seeing the Nigerian government commit genocide against its people. But the Red Cross had a policy to remain silent about what it witnessed in the field and required its volunteers to sign a contract saying they would obey the policy. It was this policy, as well as the inability to intervene without approval from the country’s government, that caused these doctors to deem the Red Cross obsolete. These doctors sought an alternative: a humanitarian aid organization that would provide medical relief

Everyone should have the right to get medical treatment when needed? In many third world countries patients are being refused medical treatment, only because they do not have money. I have seen this happen during a trip in Pakistan.

Health care in third-world/developing countries is vastly different than that health care in first-world/developed countries. In 1994, AZT became the first approved treatment for HIV. Pertinent studies showed that prenatal administration of AZT to HIV positive pregnant and subsequent postnatal administration to their babies resulted in a reducing mother to infant transmission from 25% to 8%. This change in the course of such a devastating illness helped to alter the mindset that having HIV was a death sentence. AZT was shown to slow the spread HIV significantly. It is important to note that AZT cannot stop the spread of HIV completely, but it is a viable treatment method that attempts to control and slow the condition.

Although volunteers for Medecins Sans Frontiers are commonly stationed in various countries with a dire healthcare worker shortage, regions with refugee camps and internally displaced persons are also a focus for this organization. Refugees and internally displaced persons often come from war torn regions and live in close confines with poor sanitation and limited resources. These living situations become a breeding ground for diseases and other health issues like malnutrition, yet the individuals lack access to any sort of healthcare. The organization also responds quickly when regions suddenly experience an increased need for healthcare, for example in times of an epidemic or a natural disaster. Medecins Sans Frontiers’ involvement across its varying regions and their attempt to address a broad spectrum of healthcare truly show how altruistic the organization is to individuals regardless of race, gender, or religion.

Fortunately, much progress has been made in reducing the burden of malaria since the early 2000’s. In 2005, US President Bush issued the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) which offered $1.265 billion to fight malaria (PMI, 2013). This has had a significant impact on the battle against malaria in Senegal. The Global Malaria Action Plan has also contributed solutions in collaboration

There are many nonprofit, government groups that assist with or focus on international issues and raise awareness for international countries that may need assistance, the most common assistance today is health issues. Services that nonprofit, government groups assist with can range from supplying water, food, vaccines, clothing, etc. All of this would include the undertaking of their health and assisting with health issues that may arise from not having enough of these items or supplements to live or lead a healthy lifestyle. Many of these organizations are non-profit organizations and only can survive to provide aide and services to the poverty level through charitable contributions. The issue today with the global health care system is that the poverty level is so high in many underdeveloped countries that only so much aide can be provided or depending on where aide does need to be provided the resources are simply not available and resources are very limited in order to make any improvement, water contamination is a major issue for many underdeveloped countries and the spread of diseases at times can be very rapid.

Poor and developing countries all over the world have health problems and are in major need of medical help. Sending aid to the countries seems like a logical solution to the problem, and can have benefits if used properly. Medical aid is any donation or service to help improve a situation by an organization or donor government. Eran Bendavid, an assistant professor in the Division of General Medicine Disciplines at Stanford University found that “Foreign aid for health care is directly linked to an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in child mortality in developing countries.” Family planning services have been known to give women social confidence and educate them on contraception methods. When more developed countries support the poorer areas it builds strategic alliances between governments. Although donated medical aid appears flawless and successful, some attempts at solutions have not been as prosperous. Most donations of medical technologies have proved to be inefficient, and lead to clutter and electrical problems in hospitals. Another problem is using more land for medical development and that can lead to major environmental problems. Even though governments in these poor countries are trying to help, they are many times in debt and have to rely on other countries for medical aid. Medical aid can help improve countries’ overall health, but to what extent are the countries actually being helped?

It is critical to obtain a history of recent or remote travel to an endemic area for patients with suspected Malaria. Also, it is important to acquire about the patient’s immune status, age, pregnancy status, medications, allergies and any medical conditions he or she may have. Diagnosis of Malaria depends on the demonstration of parasites in the blood, usually by microscopy (CDC, 2017). Workup for Malaria depends on patient’s chief complaint. Patients will get labs drawn to check their hemoglobin, liver function, renal function, electrolytes, and white blood cells. Rapid HIV test may be ordered in select cases.