Food Shortage in Ethiopia

As a result of poor harvest yields and food shortages, food prices have increased 52 percent between 2007 and 2008, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Areas of Asia, the Pacific, and Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing particularly large increases in food costs. The Humanitarian Practice Network reports that for individuals with limited means, these higher prices make it difficult or impossible to meet their food needs. The FAO indicates that the number of people classed as under-nourished worldwide increased by 75 million in 2007, reaching a total of 923 million individuals. Women-headed households, the urban poor, and those affected by conflict situations or natural disasters are among those most likely to be affected by food shortages.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has identified 30 countries and territories as being “in crisis” with regard to food shortage and other humanitarian concerns. Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, is among the countries for which food shortages and rising prices are a pressing concern. 4.6 million Ethiopians are threatened by hunger and malnutrition, and 10 million have been affected by droughts. In addition to six major droughts in the last two decades, the region has been denied access to the ports of Eritrea following a border war. The BBC reports that following the United Nations’ food deliveries to Ethiopia this month, no further deliveries will be made until September or October. Because of worldwide food shortages, the UN has stated that it has “no option but to cut back” on the provisions, which have already been reduced by a third since July 2008.

In areas like Ethiopia where food and medications as well as medical services are often scarce, telemedicine initiatives may allow for the provision of better care to those suffering from illnesses related to malnutrition and/or poor quality food and drinking water. By utilizing the Internet, telemedicine programs like iConsult make it possible to provide humanitarian healthcare assistance without the cost and risk associated with traveling to conflict-affected areas.

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Food and Agriculture Organization - United Nations World Food Programme - BBC News Report on Food Shortage

Jaspars, S. and Wiggins, ODI, S. (2009). “The global food crisis: an overview” Humanitarian Exchange. Humanitarian Practice Network, Number 42.

Image from a report on hunger in Ethiopia from The Economist

Global Healthcare Worker Shortage

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a shortage of healthcare workers worldwide, especially in rural areas. Healthcare workers are defined as those whose main activities are aimed at enhancing health – including doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians, as well as management and support staff. Of the estimated 59.3 million healthcare workers worldwide, approximately two-thirds (39.5 million) provide health services. Rural areas of the United States are facing a shortage of healthcare personnel, and 57 countries throughout Africa and Asia are facing a severe healthcare workforce crisis. The WHO estimates that in order to fill the gap, at least 2.36 million service providers and 1.89 million support staff are needed. Between developing and developed nations, a large imbalance can be seen in the healthcare staff available. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, an area with 11 percent of the global population, there are only three percent of the world’s healthcare providers.

According to the Grosse Pointe News, Institute of Medicine figures indicate that by 2030 77 million Americans will be 65 or older. For the nearly 20 percent of these individuals who have five or more chronic health conditions, access to healthcare workers able to provide elder care is essential. Further, a report from Minnesota Public Radio indicates that though 13 percent of the state’s population lives in rural areas, only five percent of the physicians practice there. This shortage of doctors and other healthcare providers in rural areas is a national trend, and ultimately causes patients to experience longer non-emergency wait times, providers who are fully booked and/or not accepting new patients, and more care provision by mid-level practitioners. CNN reports that the findings of Barbara Starfield at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health indicate that an increase of one primary care physician per 10,000 people would result in a 34.6 fewer deaths per 100,000 people at the state level.

Increasing the availability of healthcare and health services is a major aim of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Goals also seek to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health outcomes, combat HIV/AIDS and diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, and ensure the availability of medications. In order to increase the availability of healthcare in rural areas, the WHO suggests a number of measures, including reassignment of needed healthcare workers during conflict situations. While this may increase the health outcomes for the population in the region, it also poses a risk to the providers – one that could be avoided through the use of telemedicine and teleconsultation programs like iConsult. Through teleconsultation, specialty care physicians can remotely provide advice and support to doctors within a region.

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WHO Information on Healthcare Worker Shortage - Grosse Pointe News - Minnesota Public Radio - CNN Report