Health Technology in Emerging Global Epidemics: An African Policy Perspective

Author:
Tom Achoki

Depite tremendous technological advances in detecting and treating infectious diseases, curbing the global health threat posed by these diseases is increasingly complex. This is particularly worrisome given globalization trends characterized by extensive international trade and travel. In a vastly globalized world, diseases can easily spread through travel and trade routes,affecting populations and economies in other parts of the world. The recent Ebola epidemic in West Africa attests to this fact and raises fundamental questions about the capacity of global health systems to respond effectively. Similarly, the on-going Zika epidemic in the Americasdemonstrates how easily diseases that were once geographically confined can spread and conquer large populations.

Central to this vulnerability is the limited capacity of health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to effectively deliver basic health technologies. For example, long after malaria prevention and treatment technologies were introduced to the armamentarium of many health systems, the disease continues to adversely impact many communities in the African continent due tolimited access to quality diagnosis and treatment options. This underscores the importance of effective delivery as a basis for any meaningful response to global health threats.

The article's full-text is available here.

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