African Expectations
Good grief, does it never end? Here we have yet another African country of whom we have learned to have low, very low expectations. Responsibility to those in the community who are most at risk, the most vulnerable among any population? Overlooked in the general scramble to make the most of an oil-rich economy to benefit the ruling few. Nigeria, while handsomely profiting from its oil industry cannot see its way clear to funding a fairly inexpensive remedy for a dread disease that infects its children.Africa has many diseases that plague its citizens, from HIV/AIDS to malaria and tuberculosis. But there are so many other dreadful illnesses like intestinal worms and trachoma that run rampant through society creating untold miseries for the masses. Yet there are inexpensive and readily-available pharmaceuticals to treat these diseases. There are many African countries too poor to extend what little funds they have to ameliorate these situations, but Nigeria is not one of them.
It, like most other African countries, remain dependent upon the conscience of developed countries who feel an obligation to help impoverished states. And Africa's condition cries out to the world for assistance. As for the wealthy African countries why should they bother themselves to help fund treatments for their populations, when it appears the western world in general is so conscience stricken that they, along with NGOs and privately-operated charities seem so anxious to raise funds on their behalf?
African rivers, like those flowing through Nigeria are often infested with the scourge of diseases unlike any seen elsewhere in the world. These are the clear, sparkling waters that give life to flora and fauna, to the people who drink in them, bathe in them, clean their garments, and use them often as latrines. Among other dreadful conditions, a disease spread by microscopic parasites living in the river burrows through skin and infects internal body organs.
Children experience painful urination, see blood in their urine, have stomach upsets, experience stunted growth, and sometimes also die from the effects. Tropical diseases like schistosomiasis plague the poor communities in particular; places where there is no sanitation, running water, latrines. The parasite is carried by snails living in rivers and dams and infect children who play and swim in the water. People washing or swimming in the river experience an itching sensation on their skin.
In a short time the parasite grows within blood vessels, producing thousands of eggs which travel to the bladder, lungs, liver and intestines, releasing an enzyme which eats through body tissues. When the eggs are eventually released through urine or feces in the water, the eggs hatch and re-infect the snails in a deadly cycle of re-infection. In some of these communities 63% of the children have blood in their urine because of the worms' eggs in their bladders.
Experts say the solution lies with just one dose, once a year, of about three white pills called praziquantel. Studies have demonstrated that a single dose, costing 20cents, can reverse up to 90% of the damage to health effected by the infection, yet Nigeria cannot see its way clear to helping its own population. The government of Africa's largest oil-producing country has promised to provide funds but has never fulfilled its promises.
The Carter Center in the United States, which was instrumental in battling the dread Guineau worm and other neglected diseases across the world, has launched an aggressive campaign against schistosomiasis. With a modest grant, a small band of doctors and workers has begun distributing medications to the remote corners of Nigeria.
"Each one of these children would require a 20cent investment once a year" Dr. Frank Richards Jr., who heads the programme studying the disease at the Atlanta Carter Center says. "We should be able to afford that." As should the government of Nigeria, with its untold oil wealth. But it cannot see its way clear to helping its own citizens. Why should it, when good-hearted people abroad will do it for them?
Little wonder we have such low expectations of African countries.
Labels: Political Realities
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007
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