Combating the “other diseases” of MDG 6: changing the paradigm to achieve equity and poverty reduction?

Abstract

This paper suggests that the 'other diseases' of Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG 6) are ignored by policy-makers and politicians who overfocus on unachievable objectives and targets around the 'big three' diseases of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria, which if the planet was viewed by aliens would be seen as the only diseases that existed on the planet. The diseases of the majority of the poor represent 'low hanging fruit' for control and elimination and opportunities are ignored despite the availability of cheap or donated drugs and ample evidence that such interventions are effective and reduce incidence, as well as mortality and morbidity. The time frame available to achieve the MDGs of some 7-8 years requires a re-evaluation of what can be done with the tools available now and which can address the problems faced by the majority of poor people afflicted by disabling conditions which together represent a global burden greater than malaria or TB. The author considers also the volume of research relevant to the MDGs and their achievement is distorted by the focus on high tech end research which cannot be delivered by 2015 and that in terms of the 90:10 gap in research relevant to the problems of the poorest the real gap is 99:1. The concepts of distortion of donor funding for diseases of MDG 6 for implementation of largely curative interventions which do not reduce incidence as well as research which addresses problems that cannot reach poor people in the time frame to 2015 is emphasised. New paradigms are required if any impact on MDG 6 is to be achieved recognising the needs of the majority via an equitable distribution of funding.