Book Highlight: Sustainable Health in Low and Middle Income Countries

Achieving SDG3 in the (Post) Pandemic World, Fingani Mphande
Published in Sustainability and Public Health
Book Highlight: Sustainable Health in Low and Middle Income Countries
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Fingani Mphande’s book, Sustainable Health in Low and Middle Income Countries, part of the Sustainable Development Goals Series, explores the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic and how these can be utilised to create sustainable health systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). 

The book’s key themes of non-communicable diseases, emergency preparedness, mental health, and equitable health link to the WHO’s Targets 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, as well as 3.b, 3.c, and 3.d, and it offers up strategies for improving these, especially in LMIC. This book would be of particular interest to those working in the healthcare systems and infrastructure in developing countries, plus public health professionals, infectious disease experts and epidemiologists. 

Throughout the book, Mphande carefully delves into sustainable health, and her determination to create sustainable health in LMIC is evident. Particularly in a world where we are post, within, and potentially on the cusp of another pandemic. 

In the chapter “Priority Diseases, Sustained Response and SDG3.3”, Mphande discusses the WHO’s list of priority diseases, highlighting those with viral pathogens, which have been implicated in many of the recent outbreaks - most notably the COVID-19 pandemic -  and remarks how various factors must be considered to achieve SDG3.3 when faced with these diseases. 

In “Preparedness and Response: Outlook Post COVID-19 Pandemic and SDG3d”, the author delves deeper into not only the growing divide in health response that outbreaks such as Monkeypox and Covid-19 have highlighted between High-Income Countries (HIC) and LMIC, but proposes a holistic response is necessary in addressing gaps in regional and global collaboration amongst others to attain SDG3d. 

“Mental Health and SDG3.3, 3d, 3.4 and 3.5” deals with the fact that health is not solely about the physical and social. Mental health is vital, but too often neglected. The disruption and uncertainties brought about by infectious disease outbreaks need to include a mental health component, as pandemics are a trigger for mental health disorders in LMIC and culturally appropriate strategies must be considered. 

In her closing chapter “Strategies for Sustainable Preparedness and Response in LMIC”, Mphande emphasises how strategic planning is key in LMIC. It isn’t enough for HIC to have robust healthcare systems and financial capacities to deal with emergencies and crises. The same resources and strategies must be available and implemented in LMIC to fully achieve SDG3. To tackle and prevent further pandemics causing, potentially, ruinous consequences for LMIC, there needs to be global input. 

Mphande’s book is significant as it provides an unbiased and thoughtful exploration of a crucial topic. The aftereffects of a pandemic go beyond those infected or killed by the disease. The ripples impact future generations, due to missing education and vaccinations, a lack of food, and the loss of parents. The impact in LMIC is immeasurable. However, there can be workable actions for tackling issues in LMIC, which could deliver tangible results on a global scale, thus fulfilling the aims of SDG3. Better help can be achieved if better and stronger health systems are in place in LMIC. 

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