2021: a year in review in medicine and healthcare
In the number corresponding to December 18, 2021, The Lancet publishes an article written by Farhat Yaqub, which considers 10 events in medicine and healthcare in 2021.
These events are:
The pandemic of the Covid-19
From January 1 to December 10, 2021, there were 3.3 million killed by Covid-19, more than in all 2020. The Delta variant became dominant throughout the world.
The vaccination of the Covid-19
As of December 11, 2021, more than 8,4 billion doses of the vaccine had been administered globally, which is a feat if we take into account that vaccination began practically in January of this year. However, the COVAX initiative to distribute vaccines to low and middle-income countries has fully failed. While in developed countries, vaccination reaches 75%, compared to 46% in middle-income countries and 7% in low-income.
Biden, instead of Trump
The presidency of Trump is considered a misfortune for the US and for the whole planet. With the arrival of Biden, one of the first actions of him was to sign an executive order that returned the US tothe WHO.
Impact on health of the conflict of Ethiopia
The conflict for more than a year between the forces of the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Liberation Movement meant a systematic blockage of the distribution of goods, including medicines, food, etc. According to the American Secretary of State, Tony Bliken, 9.4 million people need food in northern Ethiopia.
Effects of the Cortes of Humanitarian Aid of the United Kingdom
In November-21, the British Government announced the cut of Humanitarian Aid to other countries from 0.7% to 0.5% of GDP agreed at 2020, will continue to at least 2024. The cuts, between 4 and 5 billions of pounds will affect the lives of many people, and will alter the functioning of many charity organizations, such as the WHO Eradication Initiative of Polio, the International Rescue Committee, with a Syria, Yemen and Pakistan involvement; as well as other programs.
COP26
COP26, continued the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, took place in November in Glascow. The agreement was limiting the growth of global temperature at 1.5º C. The climate alterations are affecting the whole world, including the Filomena Storm, which meant the presence of torrential rains, as they had not been known in 50 years in Madrid.
The crisis of Afghanistan
It is believed that 95% of the population has problems of food. Almost 24 million people are exposed to hunger, due to the combined effect of conflict, droughts, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. This critical situation will cause a growing number of people leaving Afghanistan, creating another refugee problem.
Oscillations in abortion laws
In 2021, abortion became legal for the first time in Argentina; while in Honduras the prohibition hardened; strong restrictions were introduced in Texas (USA); as well as in China, because the aging and reduction of the population are leading them to limit abortions not linked to medical causes.
Approval of the malaria vaccine
After a broad essay, WHO recommended in October-21 the use of a vaccine against malaria for children from Sub-Saharan Africa and in other regions. Gavi, the alliance for vaccines, approved investments for the distribution of vaccines.
Midwives 2021
According to WHO reports and other agencies, more than 1.1 million additional midwives are necessary worldwide.
This post is also available in: Spanish
