Imagine: a deadly illness strikes the country. For years it ravages on and on, taking an increasing number of lives as time passes. Finally given a name, cancer becomes a name that many fear during a diagnosis. Eventually, the top medical researchers in the United States develop a treatment plan that yields a 90% success rate for certain forms. Not perfect, but it is a large step in the right direction. In the battle against cancer, medical advances are winning. This is the situation that is the reality for the country with one of the most advanced medical practices in the world. For countries who are less fortunate, less advanced, and less knowledgeable, this reality is nothing but a pipedream. Liberia is an example of one such country. Located in West Africa, the country is among the world’s poorest, unsuccessfully recovering from a civil war that happened nearly three decades ago that destroyed their economy and infrastructure. These conditions, paired with something costly like a chronic disease, yield disastrous results. In the article “Low odds of surviving cancer in Liberia”, it details the struggle a family goes through when one of their children, Peter, is diagnosed with cancer. The impact of the news was dramatic, with Peter’s father stating, “That was my first time even hearing of cancer," says Peterson Yarkpawolo, Peter's father. "It was scary. For someone to tell you, 'Your only child has cancer,' it's like, wow.” This statement exemplifies the state of the country’s healthcare level. Anothering staggering figure is the fact that there are only nine Liberian pediatricians in the country of 4.8 million people. None have specialized training in hematology, so any and all treatment is dependent on international specialists. In the article, it elaborates on Peter’s family’s struggles to afford his treatment. His cancer is in a stage that is treatable, but the family cannot afford the $1500 treatment, or even the $3 a night it costs to stay at the hospital. To put this in perspective, the average household income in liberia is around $600. All hope is not lost. A dentist in the state of Kentucky, Winnie High, caught wind of the situation in Liberia and decided that she had heard enough. High and Ne-Suah Livingstone, a U.N. Staff worker, formed the Community Partnerships International. This foundation has raised over $40,000 so far, and this number continues. Finding the money for treatment is an enormous first step. Locating the medication needed is another major step, with patients needing to go to specialized pharmacies that import it internationally. The struggles with cancer treatment and other major illnesses in Liberia are a prime example of the type of international crisis that UNICEF strives to combat. In Liberia specifically, UNICEF works at all levels to lend a hand; they develop policies that focuses on reducing child deaths, improve service deliveries in all parts of the country (including difficult to reach regions), assist in procuring and distributing medication, and strengthen immunization services countrywide, among a myriad of other improvements. The struggle continues, and will continue for a long time. Being aware is the first major step. For more information on UNICEF’s efforts in Liberia, click on the following link: https://www.unicef.org/liberia/child-maternal-and-newborn-health For more information on the Community Partnerships International Foundation, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityPartnershipsInternational Resources Used: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2019-09-05/liberia-struggles-to-treat-children-with-cancer
0 Comments
Hurricane Dorian struck the islands Grand Bahama and Abaco on September 1, 2019. The hurricane was classified as a Category-5, which can definitely be confirmed with the destruction that was left behind in these areas. Over 18,000 children in the Bahamas have been affected by Hurricane Dorian. Some of the damage done to these areas includes demolished many schools and hospitals; houses and roads were completely destroyed; and vehicles and boats could be seen hanging in trees. One of the most detrimental effects of Hurricane Dorian is that the flooding compromised water and sanitation systems in Abaco and Grand Bahama. This puts people in these communities at risk for waterborne diseases because of their lack of access to clean water and sanitation systems. In order to help those who have been affected by Hurricane Dorian, UNICEF has sent first responder team to aid the children and families who were the most vulnerable to the effects of the hurricane. On September 7, 2019 UNICEF arrived in the Bahamas with a plane containing approximately 1.5 tons of supplies that would provide safe water for 9,500 children and families. This first supply shipment contained nearly 400,000 water purification tablets, several 5,000-liters tanks, and 1,000 jerry cans. UNICEF has also deployed a team in Abaco, which was the most affected area, to assess the extent of the destruction done, in order to create a response plan. Currently, UNICEF is petitioning for $4 million to increase the humanitarian response and address the most immediate needs of families. This humanitarian response would give children and families access to clean water and sanitation, nutrition, psychosocial support and educational activities. Resources Used: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/humanitarian-plane-15-tons-unicef-supplies-lands-hurricane-hit-bahamas https://www.unicef.org/stories/hurricane-dorian-leaves-behind-massive-destruction-bahamas https://blogs.unicef.org/blog/the-impact-of-hurricane-dorian-on-bahamian-children/ |
|