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There are many challenges in developing countries, but health challenges are one of the primary and longstanding issues faced as healthcare outcomes in developing countries continue to be worse than what is obtainable in the rest of the world. Indeed, across many health indicators, including life expectancy at birth, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, etc. developing countries are significantly worse off.

According to a 2020 report by the United Nations, a woman dies every 2 minutes from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and the World Health Organisation, reports that Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounted for around 70% of global maternal deaths. Deaths from preventable causes in developing countries are not only limited to maternal mortality, they are prevalent across several diseases in developing countries including those that are vaccine-preventable. The situation is even worse for the poor and those who live in underserved communities in these countries.
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Underserved communities such as rural areas and slums often bear the brunt of a weak public health system like those in developing countries like Nigeria. These communities lack access to basic infrastructure, and social amenities and are often isolated. In addition, the inexistent or often dilapidated road networks in these areas make it difficult to deliver healthcare. These challenges reduce the quality of life, increase morbidity rates and significantly affect individual and collective productivity which is essential for economic activity and growth.

Despite the complexity of the challenges faced by underserved communities, preventive healthcare offers a gleam of hope in addressing a number of health disparities in these communities, even before the challenges arise. The solution to health challenges are not often far-fetched, as they say, prevention is better than cure.
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On a macro level, investment in healthcare for underserved communities is critical. The government must improve the infrastructure in these areas to make these regions accessible. More so, there has to be substantial investment in the recruitment, training and deployment of community health workers (CWHs) to deliver services like immunization to these communities.

Malaria, cholera and diarrhoea are examples of primary health challenges among children in rural areas and slums which can be addressed by simply improving preventive measures like using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), deworming school children and chlorinating drinking water. ITNs and chlorine can be distributed for free or at a very small fee in these areas. Several randomized trials involving these solutions have proven them to be effective in improving both health outcomes and the lifetime earnings of recipients.

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Simpler interventions such as health education and lifestyle adjustment teachings like washing of hands, and proper toilet usage, which are not capital intensive can also be delivered in classrooms and in community town hall meetings. Smoking for instance is a major health risk factor that can be addressed by health education, by launching targeted campaigns in slums, children and teenagers who are not yet users can be cut off from the vicious cycle of smoking.

These initiatives though simple, cannot be done in a silo, partnership is key. By collaborating with existing community circles like schools, town halls, etc, policymakers can improve health outcomes at scale and foster partnerships within the communities to drive transformation.

It is also critical to build for the people. By acting locally, and tailoring interventions to fit the reality of rural areas and slums, nearly everyone can play a role in improving their health outcomes and achieving a better and healthier community for all.