Ebola is a viral disease caused by several viruses and the disease is known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Humans are not the natural host for it and can not be carriers. Infection is contracted by contact with carrier animals in different ways. Humans become infectious during the sickness period especially in crowded places and where culture embraces close body contact with family and friends as the disease spreads by body fluids. Generally Ebola is not a disease that might lead to an epidemic due to several reasons, the fact that there are no human carriers, the replication time of the Ebola virus makes its transmission rate limited to 1.8% and normally it kills the host before it spreads. What led to this epidemic becoming the largest of Ebola is the question to answer (PHMS, 2014).
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Globalization and Ebola
3. Ebola, Health and Health systems
4. Ebola and the work of organizations
5. The way forward...
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the Ebola epidemic of 2014, analyzing the failures in global health governance and structural responses that exacerbated the crisis, with a specific focus on the socioeconomic context of Sierra Leone and the necessity for institutional reform of the World Health Organization.
- Analysis of the structural and socioeconomic factors contributing to the Ebola outbreak.
- Evaluation of the global health governance framework and its limitations.
- Investigation into the impact of health systems and international organizational responses.
- Proposal for the reform of the World Health Organization to improve future epidemic management.
Excerpt from the Book
Ebola, Health and Health systems
Ebola can be fought by the immune system of humans’ body, yet the effective response is delayed –Hypersensitivity reaction type 4- and takes a few weeks to develop. A functioning immune system needs good general health in order to respond, and this is related to other determinants of health like nutrition and general fitness. Poverty rate in Sierra Leone is 52.9% (WBD, 2014). On top of that comes illiteracy and cultural behaviors which together create a good environment for Ebola to spread and make management of patients more difficult(Farmer, P., 2008).
When conditions above are combined with anemic healthcare system in Sierra Leone, such a disease –although not highly contagious- cant be controlled or managed properly. Ebola, until today, has no cure and its management is only supportive, which means patients are treated symptomatically until their body is capable of fighting the disease, in Sierra Leone there are 2 nurses per 10,000, of course less physicians -due to brain drain-, and distant health facilities makes this supportive management not expected to be delivered, or at least not in a proper way (World bank database, 2014). This shows the gap in global governance and the poor prediction of and prevention of such disasters. Ebola is a lesson for the future –because due to globalization and interconnectedness of the world, diseases don't know borders anymore –, healthcare systems must be strengthened globally to be able to cope up with such disasters and prevent outbreaks (Fryatt, R., Mills, A., & Nordstrom, A., 2010).
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: Provides a foundational overview of the Ebola virus, its transmission mechanisms, and the socioeconomic challenges facing Sierra Leone that facilitated the epidemic.
Globalization and Ebola: Explores the failure of global governance structures and the belated international response to the epidemic, highlighting the lack of clear leadership in addressing health emergencies.
Ebola, Health and Health systems: Examines how the intersection of poverty, poor healthcare infrastructure, and weak immune system determinants complicates the management of the virus.
Ebola and the work of organizations: Discusses the role of international organizations, NGOs, and governments in managing the crisis and the economic implications of the outbreak.
The way forward...: Proposes structural reforms for the World Health Organization to transition it into a more effective legal decision-maker for future global health crises.
Keywords
Ebola, Global Governance, Sierra Leone, World Health Organization, Healthcare Systems, Epidemic Management, Poverty, Globalization, Public Health, Infectious Diseases, Primary Health Care, Socioeconomic Determinants, Health Policy, International Cooperation, Pandemic Response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The paper examines the 2014 Ebola epidemic, specifically investigating how failures in global health governance and local healthcare infrastructure contributed to the scale of the crisis.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The central themes include the link between socioeconomic conditions and health outcomes, the limitations of the current global health governance architecture, and the necessity of organizational reform.
What is the primary objective of this research?
The primary objective is to analyze the causes of the Ebola crisis and advocate for a reformed, stronger institutional framework for global health leadership, particularly through the WHO.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this paper?
The work utilizes a qualitative analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, health reports, and governance theories to evaluate the current state of global health response systems.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the pathology of Ebola, the impact of poverty on infection rates in Sierra Leone, the role of international organizations, and the economic consequences of the epidemic.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Ebola, Global Governance, Healthcare Systems, WHO reform, Epidemic Management, and Socioeconomic Determinants.
How does poverty influence the spread of Ebola according to the text?
Poverty contributes by creating environments with high illiteracy and specific cultural behaviors, while also limiting access to healthcare resources and adequate nutrition, which are essential for a functional immune response.
Why does the author argue that the WHO should be reformed?
The author argues that the current WHO structure acts merely as an advisory body rather than a legal decision-maker, leading to a "lack of leadership" during global emergencies that hinders effective, coordinated responses.
What role does the World Bank play in the narrative of this paper?
The author notes that the World Bank has gained significant influence over global health policies, often favoring privatization and vertical programs that have weakened the traditional health systems, which the author suggests has been detrimental to sustainable health development.
- Citar trabajo
- Abdalla Ibrahim (Autor), 2014, Ebola. Black death of the 21st century, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/283800
