Anti-malaria support has been occurring throughout the world for a while now. However, the anti-malaria prevention has been increased recently. Rwanda has been doing an outstanding job when it comes to preventing malaria with the mosquito nets rollout and implementing anti malaria interventions throughout the country. “In Rwanda, malaria cases or deaths have fallen by over 60 percent partly due to a large increase in international funding for malaria control, but in 2009, a delay of mosquito nets replacement led to nationwide stock-outs of ITNs” (allAfrica).

Each hotel that you go to in Rwanda will provide you with a net, if you can afford it. There are some locations that will not provide a net for people who do not pay the full amount. Not all the locals are aware of malaria and see it as a problem. While there I was taking anti-malaria pills at dinner and one of the waiters asked if I was sick. I explained to him what the pills were for and he asked me why I had to take those. I told him that it was to prevent me from getting malaria and he said that he was immune to it since he is African. I kindly explained how malaria works and that he can get it but if he just sleeps under a net he should be fine since he lives in the city. I am happy to hear that Rwanda scored a 100 on the global malaria scorecard and have reduced their malaria cases by 60%. Not only has the number of cases reduced but also those who do get malaria will be able to receive the proper treatments. “Health care outreach programmes will ensure that those who get malaria are able to get rapid diagnosis and early treatment” (allAfrica).

 

For more information, please see: http://allafrica.com/stories/201109180015.html and http://allafrica.com/stories/201109170121.html

 

HIV in Africa is an issue that the world has been aware of for years now. Those who have access to health care can protect themselves from this deadly disease. However, what about those in the village that have no ability to protect themselves or to test themselves on a regular basis? For Rwandans in the village, marrying a man or woman with HIV is a very real problem. The Institute of Disease Prevention and Control has come up with an antiretroviral therapy that “has the potential both to reduce mortality and morbidity rates among HIV-infected people, and to improve their quality of life” (allAfrica). This will be a large step forward in the lives of people across Rwanda and hopefully Africa. “HIV-positive Rwandans in discordant relationships will start taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) as soon as they test positive as part of a plan to boost national HIV prevention and treatment efforts” (allAfrica). A study was conducted in early March 2011 across 9 countries and their study concluded that “earlier initiation of HIV treatment led to a 96 percent reduction in HIV transmission to the uninfected partner” (allAfrica).

While in Rwanda, I interviewed an HIV positive woman who told me about how she got married and had 3 kids with a man only to find out years later that he was HIV-positive and never told her. Her children luckily were not born with the disease but sadly she acquired it. She stayed by her husband’s side until his death and got treatment for herself. She is now combating the disease, taking one day at a time. This will make a large impact in the lives of HIV positive people as well as those who are in discordant relationships. Studies in the health sector are positively changing our world, providing a better life to those who can afford it but now also to those who cannot. For more information about this, please visit http://allafrica.com/stories/201109121887.html

Home of one of the worst genocides the world has ever experienced, Rwanda is one of the most overlooked tourist destinations. The land of a thousand hills, Rwanda, offers a wide array of agriculture, tea, coffee, rain forests, lakes, and volcanoes for a tourist interested in nature. Rwanda as many know it is simply what Hollywood has shown it to be: dangerous. However, I had the opportunity to spend 4 months in this beautiful country and see it for what it really has to offer. The country is called “The Land of a Thousand Hills” and truly is just that, with winding roads leading you from the south of the country to the north, east to west and even out of Rwanda into the surrounding countries. The land is ripe with agriculture and without McDonald’s. Globalization has yet to truly hit, which is actually a great thing. The national language is Kinyarwanda but many understand French and the schools are starting to make English their second language so that they may integrate into the global world. Internet is slow, water is scarce but the people live happy lives.

Last summer, August 2010, Rwanda had their Presidential elections. While the international newspapers were warning people against visiting Rwanda as it is unstable with riots taking place, life in Kigali, the capital city, remained calm. The locals put up lights and banners around the city, buildings decorated in red, white and blue for Paul Kagame. Unlike in the US where the candidates are neck-in-neck in votes, Kagame had no real competition. The locals have strong support for him and the reason being that “he is the best for the nation”. Although Americans disapprove of the way Kagame runs the country, no one can deny that he has brought Rwanda a long way since 1994.

The health care in Rwanda still lags and needs a lot of development. While there I had to go to the hospital for a few things and ended up waiting hours just to be seen. The accepted health insurance varies on hospital but the best hospital in the country didn’t take either of my health care cards, which was odd since everywhere I have ever been accepted them. The locals pay a lot for health care and that is why half of them do not go to see a doctor when they feel ill. Since the locals do not make a lot of money, the health care system should really adapt to cater to the less fortunate.

I met a woman when I was there who had a huge tumor growing on the side of her neck. She had it removed which cost about US $2000, a price she could hardly pay but managed. About 5 years later, the tumor grew back and is starting to affect her eyesight. She cannot afford another surgery so must live with the infection and all the symptoms it brings.

The babies go without pants because the parents cannot afford diapers. It is also easier on the parents to allow the child to roam around naked and do their business without ruining the clothes. This is a health issue in itself as bugs can crawl in the babies and diseases can easily spread. A good health care system is a vital need for these villagers.

Being one of the safest countries in Africa right now, with a booming economy, Rwanda should be a place on your list of places to visit and to help. The country is truly beautiful with remarkable people with life stories one could never imagine. I hope to see Rwanda become a larger partner in the global society and hope that their education level will increase and that they will finally be seen for the remarkable country that they are.

This is a video from September of last year when PBS visited Rwinkwavu, Rwanda to see the innovative work of Partners in Health (PIH) and their efforts to develop the capacity of the health care system. In 2005, SCOUT BANANA fundraised to support PIH’s increased efforts in Rwanda. This video gives an excellent visual example of their work and the focus on community based work. It also gives us the opportunity to think more critically about how our health care is delivered.

Watch the full episode. See more NOW on PBS.

As the United Nations Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (a set of eight goals aimed at eradicating poverty) comes to a close, one thing is apparent. The health-related development goals are in the most danger of not being met by the 2015 deadline.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stressed the importance of the revamped push towards maternal health and reduction of child mortality rates. Throughout the summit, UN officials, world leaders and other speakers emphasized the progress made since the Millennium Declaration in 2000, rather than the shortcomings. Out of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), improving maternal health and reducing child mortality rates are the two goals lagging behind (and account for two out of the three health-related MDGs.)[1]

Ban Ki-Moon declared the start of a $40 Billion Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health on the the last day of the summit. The project will involve several international health agencies and expects to reach 15 million women and children. Ki-Moon explained the importance of women’s and children’s health saying, “Investing in women’s and children’s health has a multiplier effect across the millennium development goals.” Queen Rania of Jordan emphasized that the shortcoming are an institutional problem, not an individual problem. The influential queen said, “These women are working hard…But their time is not efficient.” According to the U.N., improvement of women’s and children’s health is possible by 2015. [2]

The multi-billion dollar global strategy includes projects throughout the world in countries like Afghanistan and several African countries. The Nigerian, Liberian and Rwandan governments have pledged to spend more money on women’s health by increasing training of midwives. In Afghanistan, the government plans to increase access to contraceptives for women in need. In addition, Planned Parenthood will redouble their efforts in 173 different countries.

Although these efforts are admirable and additional attention to health related MDGs have proven necessary, is it possible to achieve thus far unmet needs by the 2015 deadline? And why are women’s and children’s health the most neglected of the MDGs? The United Nations has already been criticized for making too lofty a program without effective strategy. Only time will tell whether the United Nations, and the rest of the international community will actually make the effort to give more for women’s and children’s health.

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[1] Oloruntoba, Bunmi. “Women and Children the Focus of Achieving the MDGs.” AllAfrica.com. 24 September 2010.

[2] Ward, Olivia. “$40 Billion promised at UN for maternal, child health.” TheStar.com. 22 September 2010.

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Olivia is the new Communications Intern who will be managing the blog and working with social media outreach. Apply to write a guest post or join the blog team [Learn more]

“No weapons” MSF in Nasir, Upper Nile State, South Sudan

More:
A Tale of Two Refrigerators
Fighting has renewed in southern Sudan, but its not just between militant groups – aid groups fall victim to needless fighting as well. Diane Bennet writes on William Easterly’s Aid Watch blog about the 2001 peace in Sudan and how it was a ripe time to treat disease and build health infrastructure. Unfortunately internal bureaucracy and politics became the largest hurdle.

Sudan: Darfur – Thousands Flee to African Union Safety
More recently, South Darfur has become the seen of violent clashes between government forces and militants. It is important to never forget the impacts that conflict has on health services.

Africa: Public Health Care Must Lead

Oxfam International has released a report [access here] “challenging the myths about private health care in developing countries.” The report emphasizes the role that private health care can play in developing countries, but reminds us that there is no way a scale-up of private health services will reach poor people in need. Key recommendations are to increase funding for free universal health care infrastructure, rejecting ineffective practices of the past, and combining efforts to fuel effective initiatives – sounds a lot like SCOUT BANANA

Global Health: Mobile Phones to Boost Healthcare

Revolutionizing access to health knowledge, the efforts of the Mobile Health Alliance (mHealth), supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, the UN Foundation, and Vodafone Foundation are making a mark across the African continent boasting 51 existing or to-be-implemented programs in 26 countries around the world. Harnessing the potential of growing technology in ‘developing’ countries for the purpose of health can only signal a major shift in access to health care across Africa.

Getting the Continent on Obama’s Agenda

It appears that Obama’s administration is stacked in the favor of Africa and in favor of better international development practices all around. With Susan Rice serving as Ambassador to the UN action against genocide may be bolstered, Gayle Smith more likely than not will be tapped as USAID Director, she was a major proponent of the HELP Commission creating a cabinet level position for foreign aid, and a well known name among insiders and outsiders in African affairs, Johnnie Carson, is expected to be named head of the Bureau of African Affairs of the State Department. The future of US relations in Africa has incredible potential and hope to change.

Zimbabwe: Staff Return to Hospitals, But Not to Work

As a massive cholera outbreak tears across the country, medical staff have returned to their posts, but the nature of their strike, that began in 2008 over poor working conditions and wages, is now “more like a sit-in.” In a country so crippled by Western exploitation and resulting politics, a strike of the health workers in the face of a rampant disease outbreak does not bode well for a vulnerable population.
More:
Too Much Cholera, Too Little Food
Over 80,000 Zimbabweans Infected with Cholera

Africa: U.S. Naval Engagement Offers Health Dividends

Imagine the potential of the US’ military might if it was dedicated to coordinating naval and health care workers from 13 countries to bring aid and health services to communities in need. This becomes a reality with the African Partnership Station Initiative and Project Handclasp. I can only dream of a day where initiatives like this are more a norm than a surprising gesture of good will.

Mali: Raising Money and Hygiene Standards

One of the most innovative programs that I have read most recently is the work the Dutch based Gender and Water Alliance which is employing women to make soap as well educate and use it to increase hygiene and combat preventable diseases. Health benefits, a source of income and empowering women!

Food Crisis Over, Say Experts

Supposedly the global food crisis of last year is over! Agricultural experts from Africa and Asia are saying that we are no longer in a food crisis and that there needs to be an increased production of rice in Africa in order to keep the food crisis at bay. In my opinion, as long as we continue our unsustainable and capitalist practices that commodify a basic human need, we will remain in a global food crisis affecting both the US and Africa.
More:
Rwanda: Food Production Up, Thanks to Green Revolution
Thankfully the increase is not due to the ‘Green Revolution,’ but instead to increase in practices that are focused on protecting the environment.

South Africa: Treasury Blamed for Shortage in Aids Drugs

Years of controversy seem to have brought the blame down on the South African Treasury. With an extensive bureaucracy, it is no wonder that the ARV roll-out program has taken much longer than it should – as many die without the proper medications. While the numbers of people enrolled in the ARV program has increased significantly there still exists a problematic policy of access. Access hinges on wealth, CD4 count, and location. To access the government’s ARV program your CD4 count has to be less than 300, which is at a point where you are already very vulnerable. This creates an issue of sustained treatment because it forces an irregular regimen. If your CD4 count is above 300, you will have to pay. Many cannot pay and if you live far from a government hospital access is just that much more difficult because of taxi fare and time sacrificed for travel. It seems the health and wellbeing of its citizens is not a high budget priority of the South African government.
More:
Rapid HIV evolution avoids attacks
Much like the flu virus, HIV mutates and evolves in response to treatments. This really exposes the South African ARV program as highly ineffective.
Duncan discusses HIV/AIDS in Morocco
Little known to the world, the HIV/AIDS crisis grows in Morocco.

What exactly is Product (RED)? According to the official website,

“Product (RED) is not a charity. It is not a cause. It is an idea.”

Launched by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006, the (RED) campaign defines itself as a business model which is designed to raise awareness and a sustainable flow of funds to the The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Private corporations agree to donate a portion of profit made on the sale of specific (RED) products directly to the Global Fund. These funds will then be used for the specific purpose of providing access to education, nutrition, counseling, medical services, and anti-retroviral medicine in Africa. Currently Product (RED) allocates it’s funds only to projects in Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda and Swaziland, but there are plans to broaden their reach. Many popular businesses are already partners including American Express (UK only), Converse, Gap, Emporio Armani, Dell, Windows, Apple and Hallmark, with many more vying to get involved.

The basic idea is that for the same price of a comparable good, a consumer can purchase what they want and the company will make a contribution to the Global Fund. The percent of profit donated varies by partner and product. For example, at the Gap, 50% of sales on (RED) products, such as t-shirts that read, “Inspi(RED),” is donated. For every (RED) laptop computer sold, Dell and Windows will donate $50. Some companies are less specific about the percentage of sales that is actually donated but the philosophy remains the same throughout the stores: ‘lives can be saved through shopping.’ Buy a pair of shoes, save a life. Buy an iPod, save a life. The idea is not completely unappealing or inherently wrong. To date (RED) partners have generated more than $110 million for the Global Fund, money that would have otherwise just gone to the corporations. Still there are some unsettling aspects of this business model.

Product (RED) buys into contemporary feelings of wanting to get something for what we give and of wanting it to be convenient. It makes fighting AIDS trendy. The newest partner, Starbucks, is donating $.05 for every one of its three special seasonal beverages sold between December 1, 2008 and January 2, 2009. The Starbucks website states “It’s easy to do good”. And it is! All you have to do is spend $3.50 on a small peppermint mocha. You’ll get a sticker to place on a map of Africa to show your contribution and go on with your day feeling good about your 5 cent donation. 5 cents is nothing to scoff about. With as many drinks as Starbucks sells, it adds up, but what is the real message being sent? Who is really benefiting? Companies get to make a minimal donation and make themselves look really good. Consumers get to feel even better about their coffee and new clothes. It’s possible that a few of these consumers will be motivated to find out more about the AIDS epidemic in the developing world. They may visit a website and educate themselves, possibly making a larger donation in the future or just spreading their new knowledge to others. But how many purchasers of (RED) products will do this? How many others will feel they have done their part by purchasing their Product (RED) iPod, instead of a blue one?

Product (RED) is not necessarily a bad thing. I myself have purchased two (RED) iPods and love them. Funds are being raised to fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Still, I find this whole idea misses the point. Money is being donated while ignoring the root of the problem. Product (RED) uses the promotion of excessive consumerism to fight a problem that has been partially caused by excessive consumerism. It does not lead United States and European citizens to question global stratification and what their role in it might be. Instead it allows them to feel like they are doing something to help by shopping, rather than motivating them to make real changes. Money can always be given, but it’s hard to imagine any real improvements in the quality of living for everyone around the world without real changes to the economic and cultural systems we live in, including changes in how people think and act and view themselves as members of their neighborhood, country and world. A change between buying a Product (RED) t-shirt at the Gap or the plain gray shirt next to it on the shelf is not this kind of change. Product (RED) has the potential to raise awareness and make people think about global issues, but it also has the potential to make them feel satisfied with the way things are and the small part they are doing by purchasing a gingerbread latte at Starbucks. So for Product (RED) and other business models aspiring to follow it’s example, rather than a green, go for it, I give a yellow: use sparingly and with caution.

By Ruth Berger, VP MSU Chapter