Global poverty: one step away from collapse

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Naida Salković, a sixth-year medical student at Bosnia and Herzegovina’s University of Tuzla. 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.

Impact of poverty and the economic crisis is evident in every aspect of life. Unfortunately, economical crises bring different obstacles to everyday life and it can all affect health.  

One of the main prerequisites for health is good, quality and regular nutrition. Food prices and disruptions in food supply are one of the key factors that can lead to both health problems and an increase in poverty, and then we have a positive feedback system. The consequence of this is malabsorption syndrome, anemia, disorders of the immune system. In addition, vulnerable populations, especially patients with pre-existing special dietary needs, may be at risk. In addition, all this can lead to a number of mental illnesses and mental health problems, which represent additional difficulties for people, but it can also put an additional burden on the health system, and lead to another factor that leads the health system to collapse.

And when we talk about the consequences of economic crises, it is extremely important to mention disruptions in the supply of medicine, raising the prices of medicine and therapy. Patients often face worse health care, because the health care system often starts to skimp in these situations. In addition to poor care, there is also the risk of disruptions in the distribution of medicines and equipment, in which case poorer countries are additionally affected and the population of those countries is at increased risk of a series of complications.

Economic crises are inevitable, and for this reason, a better plan must be made on how to overcome them, and to think that there is a great danger of the collapse of the healthcare system. Addressing the repercussions of poverty and economic crises requires comprehensive strategies that encompass social, economic, and health interventions. Policymakers, healthcare providers, non-governmental organisations and communities need to work together to build resilient health systems and implement social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations during challenging economic times, and thereby achieve the goals of  Global Health.

About the author

Naida Salković is a sixth-year medical student at Bosnia and Herzegovina’s University of Tuzla. Naida has always been an active member of her community, whether as a volunteer at various initiatives and groups or as an organizer herself, during her studies. Currently Naida is working as part of External Affairs Team of IFMSA as IFMSA Internal Assistant to the Liaison Officer to the World Health Organisation 2023./2024. Naida began writing articles over 3 years ago with the objective of teaching others and providing opportunities for them to learn and improve. She is passionate about Global Health, reforming education  and enjoys reading books to broaden her horizons.

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