Global Healthcare Systems (Essay Sample)

Global Health Systems: Central African Republic
Name
Institution
Life Expectance, Mortality Rates, and Disease Morbidity in Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 60% of the population living below the poverty line (World Bank, 2015). The impact of poverty on healthcare delivery is evident on this sub-Saharan Africa nation, which ranks poorly in terms of healthcare delivery, life expectancy and child/adult mortality rates, according to a World Health Organization report (WHO, 2014). In 2000 when the WHO carried out the global health systems survey, the country’s life expectancy was 43 and 44 years for females and males respectively (WHO, 2000, p. 157). This had improved to 50 years for both adult males and females in 2012 (WHO, 2014). Neonatal mortality rate is 7 deaths per 1000 children, while maternal mortality stands at 880 deaths per 100, 000 births ( HYPERLINK "http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.STA.MMRT"
World Bank, 2015).
Malaria and Tuberculosis are major high morbidity diseases. Malaria prevalence is attributed to the equatorial climate that favors mosquito breeding, while TB is linked to high rates of tobacco use (WHO, 2015). TB-specific mortality rate was reported to be 49 deaths per 100, 000 persons (World Bank, 2015). However, the data on TB is confusing since most TB patients were also diagnosed with HIV Aids. There was also poor reporting of infection rates, which make the available data unreliable. For instance, there is no data for malaria before 2012 (WHO, 2014).
Tobacco use is the major cause of TB and other respiratory diseases (Gambhir, et al, 2010). Given the socio-economic condition of the Central African Republic, I will attempt to reverse the effects of Tuberculosis by restricting tobacco use and establishing a national fund for TB patients using tax on tobacco products. This move will achieve individual liberty and utilitarian goals at once; smokers will retain the right to smoke, but at a higher cost. The tax money will be used to provide free treatment to TB patients.
Countries with better healthcare systems spend a significant percentage of total GDP to fund public health service. For instance, the U.S. uses around 13.7% of budget money on healthcare, compared to just 2.9% in Central African Republic (WHO, 2000, p. 192). Using tax money to fund public health will help to expand access to healthcare services among low-income families, and consequently, help to reduce the mortality impact of high-morbidity diseases.
References
Gambhir, H. S., et al. (2010). Tobacco s...