Disease-Specific Initiatives Produce Mixed Results, Survey Says

Disease-specific initiatives, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and PEPFAR, are having mixed results on health systems in recipient countries and should be “retooled to become less disruptive,” according to a survey conducted by the NGO Groots Kenya between November 2008 and March 2009, the East African reports. The newspaper covers what the Groots Kenya survey notes as successes and failures as well the report’s recommendations for improvement (Kimani, 7/20).

Pakistan Begins 3-Day Polio Eradication Campaign

A three-day national polio eradication campaign is scheduled to begin on Monday in Pakistan, the Daily Mail reports. The campaign aims to vaccinate 33.9 million children younger than age five (Makhdoom, 7/20). According to the Daily Times, an Expanded Programme on Immunization official said 87,000 vaccination teams would be formed to provide the vaccinations. More than 500 people will monitor the national campaign, he said (7/20).

Mental Illness In Developing Countries

In developing countries, three-quarters of people with mental disorders receive no treatment, Johns Hopkins Public Health magazine reports. The article explores how low-cost, effective, science-based care can be provided (Powder, Summer ’09).

Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health Chair Elaborates On Global Health Goals For Africa

allAfrica.com features an interview with Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.), chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, in which he spoke of the committee’s interest to improving health systems and promoting agricultural programs in Africa (7/15).