Pneumonia in developing countries is the leading cause of death for children, which can be seen in the video clip "Tackling pneumonia in Liberia". This video helps those from more developed countries visualize the poor living conditions and struggles faced in developing countries. What is considered a home to many Liberians would probably be classified as uninhabitable in developed countries. The ordinary things that many people in developed countries take for granted, like a sturdy roof, are the things that are lacking in developing countries, which is why curable diseases can result in high fatality.
Liberia has high hopes for curbing these diseases, not through changing infrastructure, but by administering a pneumoccal vaccine against pneumonia for infants. Although this vaccine will undoubtedly help save a few lives, its effectiveness is still uncertain. One major problem that Liberia will face is spreading the vaccine throughout its population. Many villagers lack viable access to health clinics, and those who do have access may not understand the concept behind the vaccine. Ensuring that an adequate population of Liberia receives the vaccine will be a major hurdle.
The video clip can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/video/2011/jun/10/liberia-pneumonia-vaccine-video
Being a leading cause of death in children, pneumonia is a top concern the world is trying to address. Through Millennium Development Goal number six, reduce child mortality, efforts in developing countries like Liberia are ways to reduce child death rates by 2015. By providing the indigenous people with the resources such as vaccines, the efforts in obtaining a healthier life are achievable. Creating clinics, health centers, and educating people on immunizations and vaccines are ways to end the cycle of unhealthy lifestyles in less privileged areas in the world.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to worry about is the health conditions of the people at the time the vaccines are distributed. Vaccines work based on if the immune system can recognize the threat and create antibodies for the antigen. Just saying that it may not be as easy as JUST distributing vaccines to everyone; not to say that is easy by any means. The current health of the patient needs to be taken into account first.
ReplyDeletePneumonia is one of the big concern in developing countries today. It is an inflammation of the lung, usually caused by an infection. Most important is the environment people live on.If people living in a very poor and very dirty situation. This will be one of the biggest concern about their health.It was hard for developing countries living in a clean area. Of course, make more clinics and promote healthier life in their area will help lower the number of people who die from pneumonia. For people who can't effort the high price of health care , clinic should provide free vaccines for those poor people.
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