Illnesses condemn people to poverty, hampering development. Health-care systems tend to be overburdened in developing countries. Compounding the problems, some diseases that haunt these countries hardly affect rich nations and have so far been neglected by the pharmaceutical industry. More research will help – and more research is also needed to stem the dangerous trend of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. In the past decade, new international institutions have made a difference. To improve health care in poor countries, however, it is necessary to raise awareness among the people in general and build capacities at all levels. The humanitarian need is obviously greatest in war or when natural disasters strike.
