Despite major advancements in medicine, there still remain areas for attention,
namely reducing mortality rates, especially those of infants, and increasing the overall
life expectancy of humans. The last century has seen an exponential increase in the
number of discoveries and other advancements in the fields of medicine and science.
These medical breakthroughs are now at the forefront of the WHO’s (World Health
Organization) focus, living up to their expectations by “directing and coordinating
authority for health within the United Nations system”[1]. These issues are of utmost
prominence in order for the WHO to effectively “publish and disseminate scientifically
rigorous public health information of international significance that enables policymakers, researchers and practitioners to be more effective; [aim] to improve health,
particularly among disadvantaged populations”[2]. It is therefore mandatory for the
WHO to ensure proper addressing and resolution of such issues on an international basis.
The UN (United Nations) has passed several resolutions concerning malaria and
HIV/AIDS. One of the UN’s resolutions on malaria—WHA58.2 Malaria control[3]—
discussed the excess of more than a million malaria associated deaths a year, that could
have easily been prevented. Proper responses, such as large-scale distribution of
mosquito resistant nets, are a relatively inexpensive solution to such a horrific problem.
Other international committees have also passed resolutions specifically pertaining to
diseases that greatly affect the high mortality rate and low life expectancy. The United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1308[4] was the first resolution passed to address
the problems caused by HIV/AIDS. The WHO also passed five resolutions specifically
concerning the problems faced by TB (tuberculosis)[5]. Nearly all of these passed
resolutions have had positive outcomes, directly addressing and solving the issues at
hand.
Although Cambodia’s healthcare has improved in recent years, her inhabitants
still face the threat TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Several projects have been initiated by
the government, such as project: P070542, to ensure stable medical care with all
necessary resources. Other successful programs, such as project: P004034, designed to
combat the TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, was extremely successful to the
point where the project was eventually closed due to meeting its specific goal.
Cambodia proposes several ways in which to increase the life expectancy and
reduce mortality rates on an international basis. Firstly, Cambodia suggests the formation
of a food/medicine barter system. This would be a UN organization primarily meant for
third world countries to engage in a direct bartering of food supplies for medical supplies.
Food prices would be slightly raised and medical supplies prices would be marginally
lowered in order to set ratios more favorable for the poor nations. African countries with
virtually no food/medicine would also be able to engage in this program by offering their
abundance of raw and natural resources. The absence of money in the trading would
prevent African dictators from intervening and stealing profits. Therefore, this would
ensure the medicine and food would reach the country’s inhabitants. Another proposal is
to invite large pharmaceutical companies to preform clinical trials in third world
countries targeting patients that suffer from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB. These
conditions are much more prevalent in third world countries compared to industrialized
http://www.who.int/about/en/[1]
http://www.who.int/bulletin/mission_statement/en/index.html[2]
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA58/WHA58_2-en.pdf[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1308 [4]
http://www.who.int/tb/publications/resolutions/en/index.html[5]
countries in which most trials presently take place. The lack of other viable treatment
options in these third world countries would attract countless candidates willing to
engage in these trials. In return for participation, these countries would receive, free of
charge, basic but necessary medical supplies and equipment, such as antibiotics and
emergency room medications. A third solution for the high mortality rate is to further
increase awareness efforts for diseases such as TB, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Countless
infant deaths worldwide are due to the lack of adequately trained medical professionals,
such as midwives. These awareness efforts would directly result in funds necessary to
properly educate and train medical professionals. The appropriate education would
enable decrease in infant mortality and a longer lifespan for individuals worldwide.
http://www.who.int/about/en/[1]
http://www.who.int/bulletin/mission_statement/en/index.html[2]
http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA58/WHA58_2-en.pdf[3]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1308 [4]
http://www.who.int/tb/publications/resolutions/en/index.html[5]