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Biomedical subjects

H Veeken

Publications and source records attributed to H Veeken.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Sudan, through the back door].

South Sudan has five million inhabitants and has been fighting a war of independence with North Sudan since 1959. The hostilities have totally disrupted society and the country is the most inaccessible of Africa. International non-government organizations co-operate in relief activities in the 'Operation Life Line'. Semi-nomadic pastoral tribes populate South Sudan. Doctors Without Borders assisted in fighting a major epidemic of kala azar in the late eighties which cost some 200,000 lives; the organization still provides medical aid in the country.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Russia: sex, drugs, AIDS and the Doctors Without Borders].

Russia faces a serious crisis and finds it difficult to look after all its citizens. Alcoholics, homeless and elderly fight to survive. A recent problem is the rapid increase in the number of injecting drug users. In Moscow an estimated 100,000 users form an important core group for HIV transmission. With the health system collapsed and sexually transmitted diseases on the rise, all ingredients for a HIV epidemic are present. By the turn of the century the Ministry of Health forecasts 800,000 HIV positives. Médecins sans Frontières in co-operation with the government started a HIV prevention campaign.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1998

Priority during a meningitis epidemic: vaccination or treatment?

From November 1995 to May 1996, a meningitis epidemic occurred in northern Nigeria. More than 75,000 cases and 8440 deaths (case fatality rate (CFR), 11%) were recorded. Médecins sans Frontières, in cooperation with the Nigerian government, carried out an assistance programme (support to case management, surveillance and mass vaccination) in three states (Bauchi, Kano, Katsina) where 75% of cases occurred. Cost analysis of this assistance in Katsina State reveals that case management and mass vaccination were efficient: US$ 35 per case treated and US$ 0.64 per vaccination. There was, however, a remarkable difference in cost-effectiveness between the two strategies. The cost per death averted by improved case treatment was estimated to be US$ 396, while the cost per death averted by vaccination was estimated to be US$ 6000. In large part this difference is attributed to the late start of vaccination: more than 6 weeks after the epidemic threshold had been passed. During meningitis epidemics in countries where surveillance systems are inadequate, such as in most of sub-Saharan Africa, curative programmes should have priority.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

[Rwanda, a retrospective to aid rendered following the 1994 genocide].

Some 700,000 Tutsi were killed in Rwanda in 1994, and 1.2 million Hutu fled to neighbouring countries. The United Nations and the non-governmental organizations recently issued a document assessing the aid given. Several matters could have been better. Security in the camps, for instance, was a crucial problem and relief workers and armed forces were unprepared for the involuntary cooperation. Also, estimates of numbers of refugees were inadequate and such estimates were manipulated for political purposes. Relief organizations resorted too quickly to import of goods that were available locally, thereby making the aid unnecessarily expensive. The refugees themselves were involved too little in establishing relief priorities. Life of the original population round the camps was disrupted, a fact that received hardly any attention.

Disasters↗
PubMed1995

Cuba: plenty of care, few condoms, no corruption.

The health system in Cuba guarantees accessibility to the entire population, is free of charge, and covers the spectrum from vaccinations to sophisticated interventions. The results are impressive: Cuba's health figures are on a par with developed countries that have 20 times the budget. The country is experiencing a difficult period because of the collapse and loss of support from the Soviet Union; over 30 years' trade embargo by the United States; and the gradual change from a centrally planned economy towards more of a free market system. Shortages are experienced in every sector, and maintaining health care services at the current level is too expensive. Doctors and nurses continue to work towards the goal of health for all Cubans, even though their salaries are minimal. Signs of negligence or corruption, often seen in other socialist countries where incentives for output are lacking, are unknown. Topics such as family planning and AIDS deserve immediate attention.

Cuba↗