Rural Health Care and Orphan Disease Treatment

Though on average only 49% of a country’s population will live in an urban setting, health care facilities tend to be concentrated in these areas. Unfortunately, for the majority of the population living in rural areas, infectious and water-borne diseases, accidents, and injuries are more prevalent and often go untreated. In India, rural health status is a cause for great concern, a fact reflected in the national life expectancy (64 years), infant mortality rates (80/1000 live births), and maternal mortality (438/100,000 live births). India ranks 2nd in the world in HIV/AIDS-related deaths, 43rd in tuberculosis prevalence, and 6th in number of malaria cases. In order to improve this drastic situation, Jiv Daya Foundation is pursuing a focus on rural health care improvements.

The Foundation has pinpointed infectious orphan diseases as an area where catalytic impact can be made. The first orphan disease undertaken by the Foundation is Kala Azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis. Kala Azar is a slow developing native disease caused by parasites that are spread by a sand fly. The disease is endemic in eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Kala Azar is fatal if left untreated; however, there are simple treatment options available. By providing patient access to a single dose of Ambisome, the Foundation hopes to cure thousands of people infected by the disease and eventually see it eradicated.