The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome denoted by the synonyms AIDS dated back a few decades ago as a result of HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) with a few subjects in the society having gotten acquainted with it as a killer disease. However as time goes by the now declared worldwide disaster has continually spread like bush fire among the society as the young, old and the self-styled ‘western culturized’ youth who have not been spared but instead have fallen prey to the monster.
The epidemic is spreading at an alarming rate not only because of the ignorance but due to the poverty level in the developing countries like Kenya. These countries are crippling by the current inflation rates with their population merely survive on a dollar per day, hence making it hard to meet the required health directives and facilities available to curb the spread and cure the already affected victims. Food insecurity in these countries has to lead to the quick progression of patients to full brown AIDS and completely worsened the immunity of the patients. Still worse, however much the scientists culminate together for the purpose of bearing a lifetime solution through research, they are instead hit back by setbacks in terms of expenses involved in coming up with the medicine like the once on market HAART. This drug never found its course deeply in Africa due to unavailability of potential customers who are caught up in their poverty-stricken state. This meant that their professional efforts are thwarted by the need to get the medicine at their own expense.
Health executives also find it hard to practice sound AIDS initiatives in Africa because of the prevalent poverty that has dominated every single face. The other concern is the wholesome treatment which includes the therapeutic diet, general exercise and regular biochemical tests. These are done to prevent and treat opportunistic diseases on time to maintain the patients’ immunity high and prevent mortality. All this works together in rendering the efforts generated towards fight against the epidemic futile.
Worse still the mortality rate in countries like South Africa is being realized at a scaring rate and like a whirlwind sweep; the birth rate has come nearly to zero hence bringing the country’s socio-economic growth to a grim future. This has reduced youth productivity hence bringing about a stagnated economy and a poor education system dominated by scores of orphans in need of basic needs and education.
At one point the western countries have proved to be too conservative in terms of patenting the drug research companies to an extent of issuing permits to determine the specific countries deserving the services and furthermore they are not ready to share the knowledge and ideas that will lead to improving the developing country’s health schemes or still lower the costs entailed with the purchase of the drugs.
However, they came up with a defensive statement that they were still tied to the long term patients as well as the high prices because once they choose on loosening on any option then their revenue proceeds will plunge back hence never realizing their proceeds and as a result, many will resolve into making other generic products similar to the original ones and this can prove to be dangerous or never effective when it comes to performing the expected (Bartlett, 2005).
Reference
Bartlett, Nicolas. (2005). Life death and property rights. The pharmaceutical faces AIDS in Africa. New York: Harvard Business School.