Visceral Leishmaniasis Service Delivery in Somalia: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

IF 4.5 Q2 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL
Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine Pub Date : 2025-09-18 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.2147/RRTM.S536971
Abdirahman Moallim Ibrahim, Lul Mohamud Mohamed, Anoop Khanna
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects millions of people globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by the Leishmania parasite, transmitted through sandfly bites, leading to severe illness and high mortality if untreated. Globally, VL is prevalent in East Africa, South Asia, and parts of South America, with East Africa accounting for a significant proportion of cases. Somalia, a country with a fragile healthcare system, faces a growing burden of the disease, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. Despite efforts to control the disease, it remains a public health challenge due to a lack of comprehensive data on its exact burden. In Somalia, VL service delivery is hindered by several barriers, including an under-resourced health system, shortages of skilled healthcare providers, inadequate diagnostic equipment, medication shortages, and weak infrastructure. The ongoing conflict and insecurity have exacerbated these challenges, particularly in areas most affected by VL. Stigma, cultural misconceptions, economic constraints, and limited access to healthcare further impede effective VL management. Current programs, supported by international organizations, provide some relief but are insufficient to address the widespread challenges comprehensively. To improve VL service delivery in Somalia, several strategies are recommended. Integration of VL services into primary healthcare, expanding training for healthcare workers, and increasing domestic funding are critical steps to reduce dependency on international aid. Strengthening community engagement, increasing awareness about VL, and leveraging technological innovations like telemedicine and DHIS2 for surveillance and care are vital. Public-private partnerships should be enhanced to ensure the availability of affordable treatments. Through a multifaceted approach that addresses systemic barriers and builds local capacities, sustainable improvements in VL control and service delivery in Somalia can be achieved.

索马里内脏利什曼病服务提供:综合文献综述。
内脏利什曼病(VL)是一种被忽视的热带病(NTD),影响全球数百万人,特别是在低收入和中等收入国家。它是由利什曼原虫引起的,通过白蛉叮咬传播,如果不治疗,会导致严重的疾病和高死亡率。在全球范围内,VL在东非、南亚和南美洲部分地区流行,其中东非占病例的很大比例。索马里是一个卫生保健系统脆弱的国家,面临着日益沉重的疾病负担,特别是在农村和受冲突影响的地区。尽管努力控制这种疾病,但由于缺乏关于其确切负担的全面数据,它仍然是一项公共卫生挑战。在索马里,VL服务的提供受到若干障碍的阻碍,包括资源不足的卫生系统、缺乏熟练的卫生保健提供者、诊断设备不足、药物短缺和基础设施薄弱。持续不断的冲突和不安全加剧了这些挑战,特别是在受战争暴力影响最严重的地区。耻辱感、文化误解、经济限制和获得医疗保健的机会有限,进一步阻碍了VL的有效管理。在国际组织的支持下,目前的项目提供了一些缓解,但不足以全面解决广泛的挑战。为改善索马里的志愿服务,建议采取若干战略。将志愿服务纳入初级保健、扩大对保健工作者的培训和增加国内供资是减少对国际援助依赖的关键步骤。加强社区参与、提高对VL的认识以及利用远程医疗和DHIS2等技术创新进行监测和护理至关重要。应加强公私伙伴关系,以确保提供负担得起的治疗。通过解决系统性障碍和建立当地能力的多方面方法,可以实现索马里VL控制和服务提供的可持续改善。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine
Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL-
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审稿时长
16 weeks
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