Hailey Ward
10/15/2010
12:10pm
The World Health Organization is calling on pharmaceutical companies, governments, and donors to help reduce the number of tropical disease. Diseases such as leishmanaisis and chagas cause hidden suffering in around one billion people in the world’s poorest countries. There are many similar diseases that are unknown to people in developed countries, however they are causing millions to suffer in other less developed areas of the world. Dr. Peter Hotez is an expert in tropical diseases. He says that these parasitic diseases are rampant even though they are easily treatable. Many of these diseases can be treated with simply one pill. Currently less than one percent is being spent on neglected tropical diseases. The well known pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline announced that it will donate 400 million more tablets for the treatment of intestinal worms in children. Helping reduce the number of individuals living with tropical diseases will enable people to live a more productive life. People will be able to better tend for their families and their land.
It is hard for me to imagine that there are such a large number of people dealing with tropical diseases. The diseases mentioned, along with fifteen others can cause skin sores, high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. All of this could disappear with a single dose of medication. I believe that GlaxoSmithKline is doing a great thing by donating so many pills. However this does not solve the problem. Other companies and donors need to help as well. There are many adults that are unable to provide for their families, keeping the children out of school to help provide an income, and keeping the families in a constant state of poverty. Eradicating tropical diseases could help billions of people.
No comments:
Post a Comment