Global Health: Repercussions of the poverty and economical crisis

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Mia Šelović, a recent graduate in Medicine from Croatia. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

In 2023 we are witnessing as many global health issues we could not even imagine 5 years ago. Years of COVID-19 pandemics, ongoing climate crisis, armed conflicts in Europe and Middle East resulting in refugee waves and outbreaks of infectious diseases, that we believed we have conquered, have stongly impacted global health. In the decade of strong technological improvement and at the point of history where we are reaching universe, global health is facing more issues than at any point since discovery of antibiotics. The main question is „why?“. Global health strongly depends and is closely related to overall situation in the world. Relation to world politics, different parties and  world economy is directly affecting health situation.

In the last months world is reached by disastrous photographs of situation in the Middle East. Most terifing photos are coming streight from the hospitals. Pictures of medical personnel, patients and deceased have reached every corner of the world. Except representing the horror of the armed conflict, it is also a testimony of overall healthcare situation in one of the countries that is affected by worlds worst poverty level. Healthcare issues they are facing can only be  compared to ones more than 100 years ago in Europe. Result of years of underrepresentation, economical issues and poverty have led one health system to the edge of existance.

Other parts of the world are facing an old-new challenge. Although we have believed more than 40 years ago that we have battled tuberculosis,diphteria, pertussis and other infectious diseases, in 2022 and 2023 we have witnessed multiple outbreaks of epidemics all over the world, but most notable in its poorest parts and least developed ones. Despite the effords of both WHO, UNICEF and multiple NGOs in delivering healthcare in endangered parts of the world, many communities are suffering endless issues, lack of medication, lack of medical personnel and are suffering from diseases we have not seen for years.

Lastly, even in the most developed healthcare systems that are capable of providing healthcare for all, on appropriate level for 21st century, not everyone has the same treatment. Refugee waves arriving to Europe are facing diverse spectre of problems when seeking healthcare. Starting from language barrier, trhought administration and insurance issues, up to inequal treatment, refugees in Europe evidently do not have all the perks of developed and quality healthcare.

When all things combined, quality, accessability and efficacy of health care is diresc repercussion of situation in both global health and world economical issues, political struggles and world`s most impactfull countries` relations. Despite great need of health care to be protected and resilient toward poverty, conflicts and crisis, we are facing just the opposite- seems like these have the only impact. 

About the author

Mia Šelović was born in small town of Bjelovar, Croatia. After graduating from high school, she attended School of Medicine University of Zagreb, where she graduated in 2023 as a Medical doctor. She has been involved in IFMSA  on local, national and international level, working mostly in SCORP. She is a member of multiple networks and workgroups of WHO and European Union.