Executive Summary
The analysis of the health care concerns in the developing countries of West Africa allowed for identifying significant morbidity and mortality rates caused by a variety of factors. The overall lack of funding and the ineffective health care infrastructure is thought to be the core reason for the health-related problems of these nations. In the course of the investigation of the problematic issue, it has been identified that one of the leading threats in the region is the Ebola virus disease (EVD), the 2014 outbreak of which “27,550 cases and 11,235 associated deaths” occurred (Shrivastava et al., 2016, p. 105). Such a broad-scale impact of the infection and the inability of the West African countries to manage and control the spread of the disease endanger the whole global community.
Among the identified factors contributing to the spread of EVD, are cultural, environmental, social, and organizational. All of them are possible to be addressed via the framework of an effectively organized health care structure. Indeed, the health system of the analyzed countries fails to provide effective diagnosis and management, lacks a scientific basis, scarce specialized facilities, ineffective community work, and insufficient funding (Okeke, 2019; Shrivastava et al., 2016). The lack of experience and preparedness of the countries for outbreaks obstructs timely management and prevention.
To address these factors, a strategy is introduced to improve the Ebola-focused performance of the public health system in West African countries within several domains. They include scientific evidence-based health care advancement, improved management, and technology implementation, special facility development, community-based initiatives, preventative program implementation, and surveillance program (WHO, 2015). The funding from the local governments aimed at supporting community-based interventions and from international organizations and developed countries’ donations for strategic health care system restructuring are recommended.
References
Okeke, A. (2019). Socio-cultural determinants of spread of Ebola outbreak in West Africa 2014-2016: Lessons learnt. Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases, 2(2), 1-6.
Shrivastava, S. R., Shrivastava, P. S., & Ramasamy, J. (2016). Ebola outbreak in West Africa: Bridging the gap between the public health authorities and the community. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 21(1), 105-106.
World Health Organization. (2015). WHO strategic response plan: West Africa Ebola outbreak. Web.