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African health 'needs investment' | African health 'needs investment' |
(1 day later) | |
A major report into health in Africa suggests that some of the continent's biggest problems are getting worse. | A major report into health in Africa suggests that some of the continent's biggest problems are getting worse. |
Rates of death during childbirth and among young children are increasing, the World Health Organisation found. | Rates of death during childbirth and among young children are increasing, the World Health Organisation found. |
Some 90% of world malaria cases and 60% of people with HIV/Aids are found in Africa, the report said. | Some 90% of world malaria cases and 60% of people with HIV/Aids are found in Africa, the report said. |
The study, the first to look at health trends among 738 million Africans, said more investment was needed to cut disease and tackle poverty. | The study, the first to look at health trends among 738 million Africans, said more investment was needed to cut disease and tackle poverty. |
"African countries will not develop economically and socially without substantial improvements in the health of their people," the report said. | "African countries will not develop economically and socially without substantial improvements in the health of their people," the report said. |
Fragile continent | Fragile continent |
Among the improvements highlighted in the report was the greater availability of anti-retroviral drugs used to treat people with HIV/Aids. | Among the improvements highlighted in the report was the greater availability of anti-retroviral drugs used to treat people with HIV/Aids. |
HAVE YOUR SAY A nation that fails to provide healthcare to its citizens is like a mother that cannot breastfeed her children Felix Nyangate, Texas Send us your comments | |
The numbers of people receiving anti-retroviral treatment increased eight-fold from 2003 to 2005, the report said, and now stands at more than 800,000. | The numbers of people receiving anti-retroviral treatment increased eight-fold from 2003 to 2005, the report said, and now stands at more than 800,000. |
While cases of diseases such as polio and leprosy have been reduced to negligible levels, the report acknowledges the growth of "lifestyle" medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke. | While cases of diseases such as polio and leprosy have been reduced to negligible levels, the report acknowledges the growth of "lifestyle" medical conditions such as heart disease and stroke. |
Better access to basic sanitation is also needed; the report says only 58% of people in sub-Saharan Africa have access to safe water supplies. | Better access to basic sanitation is also needed; the report says only 58% of people in sub-Saharan Africa have access to safe water supplies. |
"We know what the challenges are, and we know how to address them," said Luis Gomes Sambo, regional director for the WHO. | "We know what the challenges are, and we know how to address them," said Luis Gomes Sambo, regional director for the WHO. |
"But we also need to recognise that Africa's fragile health systems represent an enormous barrier to wider application of the solutions highlighted in this report," he added. | "But we also need to recognise that Africa's fragile health systems represent an enormous barrier to wider application of the solutions highlighted in this report," he added. |
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