Poor people lack sufficient income to obtain minimal health services, food, clothing, housing and education, which are the basic requirements for a decent life. And there are several millions still poor in the world today. Poverty is ultimately associated with an unhealthy life, either from starvation and malnutrition or lack of access to health services. High morbidity and mortality rates, especially among women and children and low life expectancy are significant indicators.

In Africa

Statistics and reliable projections show that millions of Africans live below the poverty line. Despite recent significant improvements in the overall gross domestic product (GDP), "poverty has been unresponsive to economic growth". A UN report of 2005 posits that this is because "the majority of people (in Africa) have no jobs or secure sources of income".

People who have a below-average ability to earn income are more likely to be poor, including the elderly, people with disabilities and single mothers. Lack of ample opportunity for education could also lead to poverty for this reason.

A low level of economic development is also implicated. African governments are constrained by the IMF and World Bank to follow certain economic laid-down recipes, some of which have perennially failed to yield expected results.

Some believe that poverty in the developing world is linked to accumulation of wealth in the developed world-the socalled north-south divide. Dr. Akonor of the African Development Institute however believes, that "the onus for Africa's development failures" including hunger and poverty, "lies primarily with its political leaders". "Rather than exercising foresight and originality in their policy options, Africa's leadership continue to embrace policies that disempower the mass of African society."

"Neoliberal reforms alone, with its emphasis on economic growth over social equity, cannot transform Africa's dependent economies into self-sustaining and viable entities ..."

The UN study outlines four challenges: "achieving structural transformation to break away from the under-utilisation of rural labour; addressing widespread youth unemployment; harnessing globalisation to create decent jobs; and creating an enabling environment for accelerated expansion of private sector job creation through increased investments".

World leaders, lip-service?

World leaders at the UN Millennium Summit agreed to work assiduously to reduce by half the number of people living on less than US$1 a day from 27.9 percent of all people in low and middle income economies to 14.0 percent. Health indicators for assessing this include a significant reduction in the prevalence of underweight children under five years of age and the proportion of population below minimum level of dietary energy consumption. These are lofty and achievable but it appears we are not doing enough to achieve set targets. Warning signals are already being sent by relevant institutions that many nations are already falling short of expectations in these affairs.

Progress in eradicating hunger has been slow and conditions have worsened in some regions. For instance in Niger, the story has been reported of "the proud, round-faced mother of an infant named Raba, who walked a day's journey to bring her emaciated son to a feeding center. Already this mother (who was unwilling to give her name because of the stigma associated with her condition) has buried five of her 11 children after they succumbed to the hunger that increasingly gripped her land." Despite the focus on Niger's woes, the fact remains that "the country's 2.9 million hungry people are just a fraction of Africa's 31.1 million food-deprived masses, scattered across Sudan's Darfur region, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Uganda, and elsewhere." Despite increased democratization in many nations and the unending wars, and economic growth, Africa is the only region in the world becoming less and less able to feed itself.

Some assessments suggest that many countries are falling short and may be unable to meet up. On the contrary, African countries lack data to monitor progress if any is being made. There is therefore a need for increased statistical capacity. International efforts are being geared towards addressing this. A consortium of international organizations, countries, NGOs, and individuals has taken up this task in developing countries. The IMF and World Bank have an extensive program of technical assistance in statistics to the developing countries. But these may not be adequate.

Significant international pressure is being brought to bear on African leaders for greater democratization of the polity in their countries. Support is being given in recent times for the clearance of the debts of African countries. Despite these efforts, poverty still persists. This suggests that alternative solutions be sought to the African problem.

It is necessary to highlight that "the creation of more decent jobs, accessible to the poor, constitutes the most effective channel through which poverty can be addressed in Africa".

African leaders are trying, but there's more to be done!

Can Africa meet up with the 2015 target for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Urgent action is necessary for an affirmative answer to be possible. Poverty and conflict resolution top the list of pressing issues for action if any significant progress would be made. Through the African Union, Africa is making significant progress towards effective conflict prevention and resolution.

African countries appear to be making significant economic progress in recent times. Greater democratisation of African institutions is being witnessed. Attempts are being made towards fully incorporating Africans into the global village. But are these resulting in better life for the average rural African?

I believe that Africa will meet these targets if the challenge is faced with the zeal required and the support of all.

The Price of Negligence!

Today, millions of people are unable to attend school or any form of proper education; have no access to healthcare; and are plagued by diseases. They are sufferers from poverty, with no end in sight. These people have lost all hope for improved conditions. If we allow these people to wallow in this state, we would suffer the consequences of our inaction, directly or indirectly.

Poverty is associated with serious social problems. Mental illness, alcoholism and high crime rates are common in areas dominated by poor people, for they are causes as well as effects of poverty. 'Poverty' also 'breeds poverty'.

The health consequences of poverty are hideous. For instance, if poverty remains in our midst, diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, helminth infestations such as schistosomiasis, will continue to cause severe havoc, however effective our campaigns are, whatever their cost. Malaria, the number one killer in Africa could be eradicated if Africans could afford the requisite precautionary measures. Therefore, if poverty remains, our efforts in other directions may be futile.

What we should do as medical students

For us who are fortunate enough to have access to good health and sound education, and hope for a great future, we have a duty to contribute towards limiting the consequences of poverty. If we do not do this from altruism, we should at least do it for ourselves; to make our world a better place to live in.

First, we should identify institutions and people whose efforts can bring about significant change in society and do our best to convince them. We should talk to our governments to improve their efforts towards eradicating poverty in the world and most of all in Africa. Debt cancellation may help African governments redirect their funds towards development. Let's join in the campaign!

We should work through our organizations to raise awareness about poverty in Africa. 'Noise-making' efforts, petitions, walks, swims, accompanied by fund-raisers would help. These funds may be channeled through an IFMSA Poverty Action Project for the implementation of ideas generated.

Another approach is for national organizations in developed countries to collaborate with less developed ones. Education of people is a huge step towards saving them from poverty. Food security is another. As medical students, we may not seek to solve all the problems of the poor, but we can take significant steps towards alleviation; if not for their benefit, for ours.

Abioye I. Ajibola is year three medical student of Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos-Nigeria. Formerly Speaker of the Students' Senate, LASUCOM.

References:
1.IPS Inter-Press Service News Agency (www.ipsnews.net)