The finding of three new strains of hepatitis C is incredibly concerning, considering of the 71 million affected worldwide, 11 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa, this raises worries of other unfound strains. Many of today’s medicine is being developed in regard to strains and cases found in the Western developed world. This discovery is significant, although its only the beginning. Without further probing into lesser developed regions, especially places such as Sub-Saharan Africa where disease is widespread, medicine can’t fully evolve and help those who truly need it. There is no use applying treatments to untailored research of treatments, and without more tailored treatments plans, these regions will be unable to grow and move past these threatening strains. To appeal to the nationalistic side of countries, leaving these regions untouched by more modern and advanced research, can lead to spread of strains that are not vulnerable to the created medicine to countries outside of those regions. Part of these new findings additionally include warnings of unfound strains in other places around the world, making this an international issue. To test the effectiveness of a treatment, or to seek out new strains, it can’t only be tested in a single place. Treatments should be tested in various places in order to obtain accurate results and answers. Diseases and illnesses know no borders, therefore medical knowledge shouldn’t either. Diseases such as hep C are constantly evolving, and at a rapid enough rate that it is impossible for a singular facility or even country to keep up with the newest developments. Not only do international facilities need to work together, there’s a need for stronger and thorough outreach to countries with an obvious need for such. Regions, like Sub-Saharan Africa with less resources, should have an equal access to treatments that could save lives and/or drastically improve the quality of life for millions. This being a morally correct goal, also has benefits to those helping as they will be at a lesser risk of contracting the unknown and potentially fatal diseases.
