Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Blog 5: Measles Success, Rwanda


McNeil writes about Rwanda and how it has become successful in curing many diseases around their city. Rwanda was one that was fighting measles and now trying to fight rubella from infecting their citizens.   McNeil states,” On March 11, it will hold a nationwide three-day vaccination campaign with a combined measles-rubella vaccine, hoping to reach nearly five million children up to age 14. “This will help save many lives and since Rwanda is trying to help out their citizens many organizations are funding for this project. Rubella is a rash which is generally mild but can cause death to fetuses or birth defects if a pregnant mother has it.  Since having the vaccines more than 90% of children have been protected against rubella and cases have gone down to zero. This tiny country is paving the way for Africa in delivering medical care and other incentives to their citizens. Rwanda was the first African country to introduce HPV which causes cervical cancer.  In poor countries measles are the case from malnourished women.  McNeil states,” Around the world, the initiative estimates, about 158,000 children die of it each year, or about 430 a day.”  This shows that measles are an epidemic and since the help of vaccines in developing countries measles has drop down 71%.
            This article gives a great example of United States supporting other countries. Red Cross and many others provided funding to Africa to help the stop of measles and Rubella around their country. Measles and other diseases are a big deal around developing nations causing many infants and children deaths.  Health Care and funding is a prime reason for many diseases around the world. Without adequate funding many cannot support or provide for unhealthy children or families. After reading this article we can see that many organizations are standing up for what is right and helping out around the world to save a life.

2/23/13 4:04 pm
BreAnna Neal

No comments: