The world is united today to dominate long-standing challenges in health faced by mankind such as HIV, Cancer, population control and maternal health. Aggravated by poverty, pollution and ignorance, these challenges need collective communal support in minimizing and eradication. The human population stands at approximate 7 billion in 2015 and each one of us will be affected by the 10 underlying major health issues. There has been tremendous progress towards curing health problems but it has been derailed by recent Ebola virus in 2014.
In addition to critical health a problem WHO has also faced the shortage of health workers around the world. Especially in the wake of recent Ebola virus attack which killed hundreds of health workers. The world is currently at war with West Africa to control the epidemic and needs trained staff to contain the disease. Here are the top issues to focus on in 2015
Health Care Workers in People Care System:
Take away the health workers from any health care establishment and you have chaos in your hands. A Recent example is Ebola viruses which certainly decline the volunteers in fear of death. The big question to ask in the coming years is how we ensure the safety of our biggest resource “human beings” a priority in vulnerable conditions. All health care systems need people to run the system not only as clinicians but in logistics, finance, and as technicians.
Establish Common Goals:
Sustainable goals could unite governments and nationalities on a collective platform. A set of millennium goals could clear the vision and plan a clear strategy for coming years. We can unite resources to achieve most ambitious goals in universal health coverage.
Ebola:
Almost 8000 people were a victim of Ebola virus in 2014 and the danger is still looming. It wasn’t just the killing but the consequences of the epidemic which are still at large. Many children were orphaned by the disease and shunned by immediate families. The psychological trauma faced by health workers and the uncertain working conditions. Ebola has already added to the greater need of volunteer social workers in Africa who are prepared and received training in this vulnerable condition.
War Torn Cities:
The past decade has seen more war casualties than caused by any epidemic or disease. Many health workers have compromised in the given conditions especially in Syria where hospitals have been taken over by Syrian forces. Many health facilities are rendering nonfunctional because of war and unrest in the society. If similar conditions prevail we may have hindered progress on health issues or the progress could even reverse.
Global Health Securities:
A recent outbreak of mumps in National USA hockey teams and measles spread has reached a twenty year high. Polio still persists in more than 8 countries many hundreds of cases have come to fore. These diseases can be prevented by the vaccine. Their resurgence is alarming and a threat to our global health security.
Mobile technology:
Relying on mobile for health facilities might be a farfetched idea but in remote areas a single health worker can get crucial information on mobile tech and save a life. It connects health workers from each other and gets updated training increase the quality of health services. it is more feasible in remote areas and helps the patient recognize a quack.
Population Control:
Large population and limited resources have been an issue for the past few decades so much so that certain laws have been passed to promote family planning in fundamental societies. There has been a tremendous rise in the use of contraception in the past few years but a lot is still left to be achieved. The progress in encouraging but religious obligations and social pressures hinder the progress.
AIDS:
UN has a fast track strategy introduced in 2014 to end the epidemic by 2030. The epidemic is feared to double its toll in the coming years because 35 million people who are affected by HIV virus are not aware of it. So, they are not aware of the dangers of passing on the virus to others.
Cancer:
Cancer is the main cause of death in the middle to lower class families than HIV and tuberculosis. The reason is expensive treatment and long battle with the disease which leaves patient incapacitated to fight the battle against cancer. Cancer is not a transferrable disease so it will not get the same attention as AIDS or Ebola but the danger is not overlooked. In Uganda and other four surrounding countries , there is only one cancer doctor which also increases the number of deaths caused by this disease.
Mental Health:
Depression and posttraumatic disorder have caused severe illness amongst seemingly healthy individuals. The stigma attached to mental illness also contributes to the progress factor in countering mental illnesses. Substance abuse has been a serious mental health challenged faced by developing and developed countries alike. Mental health is crucial for sustainable growth in society, enjoying life, earning a living and having positive social interactions. Ethiopia is the first country that sent trained workers to prisons for counseling sessions with prisoners. Due to war-torn countries, there will be a greater need for mental health workers, social workers and psychiatrist in the coming years.
Environment protection |Nature conservation at wbmfoundation 