Bulletin of the World Health Organization
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Bull. World Health Organ. · Aug 2012
Achieving high coverage in Rwanda's national human papillomavirus vaccination programme.
Virtually all women who have cervical cancer are infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Of the 275,000 women who die from cervical cancer every year, 88% live in developing countries. Two vaccines against the HPV have been approved. However, vaccine implementation in low-income countries tends to lag behind implementation in high-income countries by 15 to 20 years. ⋯ Through a series of innovative partnerships, Rwanda reduced the historical two-decade gap in vaccine introduction between high- and low-income countries to just five years. High coverage rates were achieved due to a delivery strategy that built on Rwanda's strong vaccination system and human resources framework. Following the GAVI Alliance's decision to begin financing HPV vaccination, Rwanda's example should motivate other countries to explore universal HPV vaccine coverage, although implementation must be tailored to the local context.
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Countries have endorsed a plan for the polio endgame, one that hinges on making inactivated polio vaccine more affordable for low- and middle-income countries.
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Bull. World Health Organ. · Jun 2012
Medical conditions among Iraqi refugees in Jordan: data from the United Nations Refugee Assistance Information System.
To determine the range and burden of health services utilization among Iraqi refugees receiving health assistance in Jordan, a country of first asylum. ⋯ Iraqi refugees in countries of first asylum and resettlement require targeted health services, health education and sustainable prevention and control strategies for predominantly chronic diseases.
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Bull. World Health Organ. · May 2012
Improving patient access to specialized health care: the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The Brazilian population lacks equitable access to specialized health care and diagnostic tests, especially in remote municipalities, where health professionals often feel isolated and staff turnover is high. Telehealth has the potential to improve patients' access to specialized health care, but little is known about it in terms of cost-effectiveness, access to services or user satisfaction. ⋯ To succeed, a telehealth service must be part of a collaborative network, meet the real needs of local health professionals, use simple technology and have at least some face-to-face components. If applied to health problems for which care is in high demand, this type of service can be economically viable and can help to improve patient access to specialized health care.