Coronavirus pandemic could sharply increase the number of deaths from malaria, tuberculosis and HIV

According to a study by University College London, deaths from common diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and even HIV could rise. This is due to the curtailment of a number of health programs due to a shortage of funds: the emphasis is still on ending the coronavirus epidemic.

According to experts, mortality will only increase in the next few years. The health systems of countries are overloaded, it is financially and physically impossible to support existing programs.

Deaths from malaria are projected to rise by 36%, HIV mortality by 10% and tuberculosis by 20%. The numbers are quite large and account for thousands of deaths. To improve the situation, it is necessary to preserve at least basic assistance, as well as continue preventive work on these diseases.

Not entirely encouraging predictions were made thanks to computer simulations. Four different epidemic scenarios were taken as a basis: no action, mitigation within six months, suppression in two months, and suppression in one year. Different modes of disease transmission in the absence of constraints were also considered.

These diseases are more serious than the coronavirus, so their containment should never be stopped. Statistics show that about 2.6 million people die from these diseases every year. Various programs have helped to cut the number of deaths from HIV and malaria by half.