Scaling up health interventions in resource-poor countries: what role does research in stated-preference framework play?

Hepatitis C, caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) was originally described as parenterally transmitted non-A non-B hepatitis. Since its discovery in 1989, the field of HCV research has become a shining example of successful translation of basic research wherein in a short of span of just 30 years the virus was discovered, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assays were developed, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the disease were well defined and now with the availability of highly efficacious antiviral therapies many countries are already on their way to achieving World Health Organization’s (WHO) elimination targets of hepatitis C by 2030. However, much work needs to be done to eliminate hepatitis C especially in resource poor countries. Most recent data show an estimated 71 million people are currently infected with HCV worldwide and approximately 400,000 people die each year from causes related to HCV. Of these estimates, more than 13 million HCV infected persons are in India and Pakistan (Figure 1). Despite the availability of a cure for hepatitis C, only 20% of those infected patients have been diagnosed (1). In order to achieve the WHO targets of hepatitis C elimination, concerted efforts will have to made to make affordable and reliable diagnostics available worldwide.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Treatment gap for convulsive status epilepticus in resource-poor countries.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.733939146.793551336 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Richard FM Chin

Keyword(s):

Status Epilepticus ◽

Convulsive Status Epilepticus ◽

Treatment Gap ◽

Poor Countries ◽

Resource Poor

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Artificial Intelligence and Inequality in the Middle East

The Oxford Handbook of Ethics of AI ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067397.013.40 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 624-649 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nagla Rizk

Keyword(s):

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Human Resources ◽

Young Population ◽

Mena Region ◽

Poor Countries ◽

Current State ◽

Resource Poor ◽

Youth Entrepreneurship ◽

The Arab Spring ◽

The Impact

This chapter looks at the challenges, opportunities, and tensions facing the equitable development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the MENA region in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. While diverse in their natural and human resource endowments, countries of the region share a commonality in the predominance of a youthful population amid complex political and economic contexts. Rampant unemployment—especially among a growing young population—together with informality, gender, and digital inequalities, will likely shape the impact of AI technologies, especially in the region’s labor-abundant resource-poor countries. The chapter then analyzes issues related to data, legislative environment, infrastructure, and human resources as key inputs to AI technologies which in their current state may exacerbate existing inequalities. Ultimately, the promise for AI technologies for inclusion and helping mitigate inequalities lies in harnessing grounds-up youth entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives driven by data and AI, with a few hopeful signs coming from national policies.

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Scaling up public health interventions: case study of the polio immunization program in Indonesia

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10647-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Utsamani Cintyamena ◽

Luthfi Azizatunnisa’ ◽

Riris Andono Ahmad ◽

Yodi Mahendradhata

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Role Model ◽

Local Area ◽

Scaling Up ◽

Health Interventions ◽

Cold Chain ◽

Public Health Interventions ◽

Immunization Program ◽

Integrated Health ◽

Polio Immunization

Abstract Background The scaling up of public health interventions has received greater attention in recent years; however, there remains paucity of systematic investigations of the scaling up processes. We aim to investigate the overall process, actors and contexts of polio immunization scaling up in Indonesia from 1988 until 2018. Methods A mixed method study with sequential explanatory design was conducted. We carried out a quantitative survey of 323 actors involved in the polio program at national and sub-national levels, followed by Key Informant Interviews (KII)s. Document review was also carried out to construct a timeline of the polio eradication program with milestones. We carried out descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative data. Results The scaling up of polio immunization in Indonesia started as a vertical expansion approach led by the Ministry of Health within a centralized health system. The coverage of immunization increased dramatically from 5% in the earlier 80s to 67.5% in 1987; incremental increases followed until achieving Universal Child Immunization (UCI) in 1990 and subsequently 95% coverage in 1995. Engagement of stakeholders and funding made the scaling up of polio immunization a priority. There was also substantial multisector involvement, including institutions and communities. Local area monitoring (LAM) and integrated health posts (Posyandu) were key to the polio immunization implementation strategy. Challenges for scaling up during this centralized period included cold chain infrastructure and limited experience in carrying out mass campaigns. Scaling up during the decentralized era was slower due to expansion in the number of provinces and districts. Moreover, there were challenges such as the negative perception of immunization side-effects, staff turnover, and the unsmooth transition of centralization towards decentralization. Conclusion Vertical scaling up of polio immunization program intervention was successful during the centralized era, with involvement of the president as a role model and the engine of multi sector actors. Posyandu (integrated health posts) played an important role, yet its revitalization after the reform-decentralization era has not been optimum.

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