Mali is a beautiful country in the Northwest part of the African continent. Landlocked in an arid region, Mali is one of the most dry places on earth. Despite its stark natural beauty, Mali is a place where people struggle considerably with health problems. Particularly due to unclean drinking water, some of the most common health problems found in Mali are Hepatitis A, diarrhea, typhoid fever, dengue fever and malaria. Through out Mali, there are problems of inadequate nutrition, sanitation and hygiene practices. There are high mortality rates in every demographic of Mali.

Health care in Mali is no where near adequate enough to sustain its population. The health care system of Mali is severely underfunded, and the people of Mali depend heavily on outside provision to meet their health needs, such as the help of international health organizations and missionary groups. Medicine is in short supply in Mali, as are clinics and doctors. It is not uncommon for one doctor to be the only doctor available to a region of 100,000 people, which leaves the average resident of Mali almost completely without health care.

The reason for these challenges is an unfortunate history that has lead to crisis in poverty, political conflict and harsh natural conditions. Mali is one of the most poverty ridden countries on earth, with the average family surviving on next to nothing. There is also a great deal of political conflict and rebellion, which leaves residents and citizens displaced and in a refugee state, increasing the poverty and chaos. The drought conditions in Mali are very harsh, leaving its residents and citizens without vegetation, water or other natural provisions.

It is needless to say, Mali needs a great deal of help and development before its healthcare can be considered functional and adequate. There are many elements of a nation state that need to come together in order to heal the level of poverty, disease and dysfunction that can be found in Mali, and residents remain hopeful that they can overcome these difficulties by working together.

Canada has a special connection with Mali. For many decades, Canada has supplied aid to Mali for a number of reasons. Canada has supplied the funding for a number of infrastructure projects in Mali, such as bridges and roads, and there are many cities in Canada that have a sister city in Mali. Canada has undertaken an obligation to make Mali independent from charity with gifts of farm equipment and building materials.

Mali health conditions are some of the worst in the world because of how impoverished the nation is. Mali residents are among those with the least access to medical services, sanitation and clean drinking water in the world. For that reason, diseases such as AIDS, malaria, measles, cholera, meningitis, hepatitis and tuberculosis are prevalent in Mali. Needless to say, there is no government provided healthcare to speak of, as there is approximately only one physician per 100,000 residents of Mali. Mali residents are, however, known for their superior knowledge of herbal remedies, and for being an African country that has HIV and AIDS reasonably well contained.

It has been proposed that increased medical aid to Mali may be the most beneficial thing that Canada can do for this small country. With access to so few medical facilities, as well as medical and mental health treatment centers, the average life expectancy in Mali is only 53 years old. There have been instances of Mali residents traveling to Canada for healthcare on the Canadian government’s dime, but obviously this is not a sustainable method for aiding the health problems of Mali. As Canada continues its aid to the citizens of Mali, there must be much careful thought put into future spending towards Mali to see that health matters are met as a high priority.