Tale of a Man, a Worm and a Snail, A (eBook)

The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative

Alan Fenwick, Becky McCall, Wendie Norris (Autoren)

eBook Download: EPUB

2021
280 Seiten
CABI (Verlag)
978-1-78639-257-2 (ISBN)

Infos

Schistosomiasis is Africa's second most common parasitic disease. Less than 20 years ago, over 200 million were infected. In many high-risk areas the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) has been helping to tackle the disease by offering treatments to millions of children. This book tells the story of a man, Alan Fenwick, who founded the SCI to control the worms and snails and so improve the lives of many burdened with the disease as well as reducing the numbers infected. Over this period SCI and the Ministries of Health and Education in 16 countries delivered over 220 million treatments. Treatment coverage of up to 75% has been achieved. Widely recognised as a cost-effective and successful intervention, SCI's knock-on effects include improving overall physical health, school attendance and future prospects formillions of people. The authors explore the work and experiences involved in forming, establishing and managing a health intervention system such as the SCI, while describing important lessons for anyone looking to replicate the success. This book covers:- Challenges faced and how the SCI overcame them to achieve its success;- Raising funds to deliver donated medicines;- Development of innovative partnerships;- Cultivation of working relationships and implementation across Africa;- A new model for other Neglected Tropical Disease programmes (NTDs);- Aspects of Alan's life in Africa told with memorable and often humorous anecdotes. A Tale of a Man, a Worm and a Snail is an essential resource for researchers, policymakers, health professionals and students of NTD control. The book is an enlightening, informative and enjoyable read for anyone interested in global health.

Rezensionen

Part autobiography, part scientific narrative, with an impressive bibliography, the book has a high printed production standard with several colour photographs and schematic graphics that embellish its narrative. Books like this are not common. I therefore urge those interested in control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly helminthiases, to read it.

Alan's story is engaging and enjoyable. When taken as a whole, it is an exemplar of Pasteur's adage that chance favours the prepared mind, or in Alan's own words "I was in the right place at the right time and fortunate enough to have made friends in the right places".

To me, his inspiring lesson is to pluck up the courage, throughout the many dimensions of one's life, and seize those opportunities that pass us by and try to do some good. Not so easy when set against the complex cogs and wheels of international aid, academic priorities and on-the-ground control which Alan has had to navigate so adeptly.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 14.12.2021
• Verlagsort: Oxford
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Gesundheitsfachberufe
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Medizinische Fachgebiete ► Mikrobiologie / Infektologie / Reisemedizin
• Themenwelt: Studium ► Querschnittsbereiche ► Infektiologie / Immunologie
• Schlagworte: African health programs • developing health programs • funding health programs • Global Health • global health success stories • health interventions • health partnerships • Health Promotion • infectious disease • neglected tropical diseases • Parasitic disease • parasitic worms • Public Health • Schistosomiasis • Schistosomiasis Control Initiative
• ISBN-10: 1-78639-257-7 / 1786392577
• ISBN-13: 978-1-78639-257-2 / 9781786392572