Published by the Center for Communication Programs (CCP), this report is the first in a new series entitled “Health and Communication Insights”. The author suggests that the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and e-health (electronic health) applications, such as interactive websites, can be effective in helping people manage diseases, access health services and obtain assistance with behaviour change. Acknowledging the rich-poor digital divide, he notes that access to new technologies is increasing rapidly in developing countries.
Governance and participation in health
ICT's and health communication
Participation of HIV positive women in policy making
This International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW) vision paper argues that, when HIV positive people are involved at all levels of decision-making, an organisation is better able to respond to the concerns of people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV positive women in particular need to be taken seriously by policy makers in order to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic effectively. Involvement in national policy making and in regional and local structures is one arena of policy making highlighted. However, ICW argues that other arenas also need to be more open to the views and involvement of HIV positive women. These include faith-based institutions, the private sector, trade unions, women’s organisations, mainstream AIDS organisations, employers’ organisations, political parties, nongovernmental and international organisations and educational institutions.
Health promotion through self-care and community participation
This paper proposes a broad outline for designing health promotion programmes in developing countries, based on the Ottawa Charter for health promotion and principles of self-care and community participation. There is now a window of opportunity for promoting self-care and community participation for health promotion in developing countries. It recommends that supportive policies are framed, with self-care clearinghouses set up at provincial level to co-ordinate the programme activities in consultation with district and national teams. Self-care should be promoted in schools and workplaces. For developing individual skills, self-care information, generated through a participatory process, should be disseminated using a wide range of print and audio-visual tools and information technology based tools.
Parliamentary functions and reforms and their application in promoting health equity in southern Africa
This paper aims to provide insight into the practical challenges faced by parliaments and parliamentarians in addressing the issues of equity in health. It goes on to describe the attempts that have been made to address those challenges in southern Africa. A number of opportunities for parliaments to promote health equity are identified. Firstly, parliaments are in charge of their rules, which they can revise to become more efficient and effective when they commit themselves to reforms. Secondly, in the region there is a vibrant civil society that raises questions and compels parliaments to address issues.
Participatory approaches in the health sector
Communities are no longer seen as passive recipients of healthcare. But what does this shift in emphasis mean? What kind of relationship between communities, service providers and managers is best? A workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies in 1999 asked three questions: What does accountability mean? How can health service providers be accountable to their users? What sorts of partnership will improve accountability and effectiveness? Studies from eleven countries illustrated experiences with participatory approaches and partnerships in enhancing accountability in the health sector.
Trade policy and civil society participation
This paper examines the way that a range of development actors view and engage with the arena of trade policy, focusing in particular on the challenges encountered by civil society actors participating in that arena. The dynamics of civil society participation in the trade arena – what might be achieved, and how – are very different from those that shape civil society participation in processes labelled poverty reduction; this paper explores the differences.
Civil society contributions to pro-poor, health equity policies
CSOs at national and grassroots level, are involved in mutual support, building citizen capacities, advocating public interests and rights, meeting social needs, providing services and advocating accountability within private and public health services. What is the impact of this input on health gains and informed health action within poor communities and on equity in health? This review of the literature explores whether civil society contributes to improved provision, coverage of and access to health services in low-income communities. The paper further examines whether civil society promotes improved responsiveness of health services, or enhances advocacy for and development of policies that are pro-poor and that enhance health equity.
Decentralisation and poverty reduction: the reality in Africa
Although decentralisation is often heralded as a means to promote democracy and poverty reduction, there is little reliable evidence to prove these claims. In fact, ruling parties and ethnic elites in Africa have used decentralisation to further strengthen their own power and influence at a local level. New research argues that on its own, decentralization will not reduce poverty. Just as important are an ideological commitment to the poor and democratic accountability. Research from the Institute of Development Studies looks at the politics of local-central relations in a selected number of African states which have adopted decentralisation.
** Impact Of Participatory Mechanisms And Structures In Equity And Quality Of Health Service Delivery
Abstract of paper presented at the Equinet conference, Durban, 8-9 June 2004, by TJ Ngulube, R Loewenson, I Rusike, M Macwangi, C Njobu, A Ngwengwe, EQUINET GoVERN theme
In 2002/3 EQUINET implemented a multi-country research study to examine the impact of Health Centre Committees (HCCs) and District Health Boards (DHBs) in bringing about equity in the primary health care services in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The research work sought to examine equity from an EQUINET perspective, with emphasis that equity related work needs to define and build a more active role for important stakeholders in health, and to incorporate the power and ability people (and social groups) have to make choices over health inputs and their capacity to use these choices towards health.
Further details: /newsletter/id/30456
Community Assessment of the Socio-economic Situation in Zimbabwe: Health and Education
Civic organisations have through the monitoring Group of the National NGO Food Security Network (FOSENET) been monitoring food security in Zimbabwe since July 2002. In 2004 this monitoring has been widened to cover other social and economic conditions, recognizing the wide range of conditions influencing social and economic wellbeing. The Civic Monitoring Programme is implemented through NGOs based within districts and community based monitors. Monthly reports from all areas of the country are compiled to provide a monthly situation assessment of food security and social welfare to enhance an ethical, effective and community focussed response to the current situation. Quarterly reports such as this one complement the monthly monitoring and provide more detailed information on specific areas of social and economic conditions at community level. Queries and feedback on these reports is welcomed and should be directed to the Civic Monitoring Programme at fsmt2@mweb.co.zw This is the first round of such quarterly monitoring and continuous measures are being implemented to improve data quality and relevance, including training and peer review, so feedback is welcomed. For the full report, please contact fsmt2@mweb.co.zw.