The GHC team is passionate about improving the health of communities and individuals around the world. We offer the knowledge, skills, experience and efficiency to enhance our clients and partners efforts to address some of the world’s toughest health challenges to improve the health of underserved people and communities.
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 34 million lives since it was identified in 1981. Approximately 1.2 million people die from HIV-related causes globally and 2.0 million people become newly infected with HIV every year. Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region and accounts for almost 70 percent of the global total of new HIV infections.
HIV targets the immune system and weakens people’s defence systems against infections and some types of cancer. As the virus destroys and impairs the function of CD4 (immune) cells, infected individuals gradually become immunodeficient.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB)caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.It continues to claim roughly 1.5 million lives each year and is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer worldwide due to a single infectious agent. It is estimated that TB costs the global economy $1 billion a day. Over 95 percent of TB cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Eradication of TB will require the development and incorporation of new and more effective vaccines that can replace the current BCG vaccine.
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria causes an estimated 198 million malaria cases and 584,000 deaths per year with 90 percent of all deaths occurred in the African Region, mostly among children under 5 years of age (a child in Africa dies every minute from malaria). Asia, Latin America, and to a lesser extent the Middle East and parts of Europe are also affected.There are four parasite species that
Polio Eradication
Polio is a crippling, highly infectious and potentially fatal disease. The virus invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis within a few hours. Polio can strike at any age, but it mainly affects children under five years old. There is no cure, but there are safe and effective vaccines. The strategy to eradicate polio is based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio-free. Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan remain endemic for polio.
Vaccines
Vaccines are a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and are one of the most cost-effective health investments. This is especially true in low resource settings were treatment for diseases is difficult to access or is not available. Yet, globally, 1 in 5 children still do not receive routine life-saving immunizations, and an estimated 1.5 million children still die each year of diseases that could be prevented by vaccines that already exist.
Clinical Research
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a new vaccine, drug or medical treatmentis safe and effective for humans. Clinical research produces the best data available for health care decision-making.
Clinical trials are conducted in Phases (a series of steps). Each phase is designed to answer a separate research question. Review and approval by Regulatory Agencies is required before the initiation of each Phase.
Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health
Poor maternal, newborn and child health remains a significant problem in developing countries. Worldwide, about 800 women die daily due to complications of pregnancy and child birth and approximately 16,000 children under the age of five die every day. The primary causes of maternal death are hemorrhage, infections, complications from delivery and unsafe abortion.45 percent under-five deaths
Infectious, Neglected and Tropical Diseases
Tropical diseases are infectious diseases that thrive in hot, humid conditions found principally in the tropics. They primarily affect the most impoverished and vulnerable populations in the world and, have received scant attention until recently. These include diseases which are caused by Protozoa (Chagas disease, Human African trypanosomiasis, Leishmaniases), Bacteria (Buruli ulcer, Leprosy, Trachoma, Yaws), Helminth (Cysticercosis, Dracunculiasis, Echinococcosis, Trematodiases, Lymphatic filariasis, Onchocerciasis, Schistosomiasis and Helminthiases) and Virus (Dengue, Chikungunya, Rabies) etc.
Immunisation Systems
Immunization is recognized as an essential health intervention. Strong health systems are needed to deliver and scale-up new vaccines and to improve immunization coverage. 1 in 5 children still miss out on routine life-saving immunizations that could avert 1.5 million deaths each year from preventable diseases. It is critical to strengthen routine immunization systems. These need to provide regular, reliable services to protect children as soon as they are eligible for vaccination. It involves building capacity at the national and subnational levels in the essential components of the routine immunization system, including training more health workers
Health Supply Chain
Health programs can only succeed when the supply chain delivers a reliable and continuous supply of affordable, high-quality medicines, and other essential commodities. Improved access and accountability for health commodities, and enhanced coordination among stakeholders along the supply chain from procurement to delivery to the consumer are critical. This involves quantifying commodity needs, demand-planning, procuring quality-assured health supplies, providing efficient transport and distribution solutions, leveraging third-party logistics providers, designing, optimizing and building capacity to manage supply chain systems, improving data visibility, and using IT solutions as appropriate.