Equitable health services

Traditional health practitioners (THPs) and their role in traditional medicine health care system are worldwide acknowledged. Trend in the use of Traditional medicine (TRM) and Alternative or Complementary medicine (CAM) is increasing due to epidemics like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases like cancer. Despite the wide use of TRM, genuine concern from the public and scientists/biomedical heath practitioners (BHP) on efficacy, safety and quality of TRM has been raised. While appreciating and promoting the use of TRM, the World Health Organization (WHO), and WHO/Afro, in response to the registered challenges has worked modalities to be adopted by Member States as a way to addressing these concerns. Gradually, through the WHO strategy, TRM policy and legal framework has been adopted in most of the Member States in order to accommodate sustainable collaboration between THPs and the scientist/BHP. Research protocols on how to evaluate traditional medicines for safety and efficacy for priority diseases in Africa have been formulated. Creation of close working relationship between practitioners of both health care systems is strongly recommended so as to revamp trust among each other and help to access information and knowledge from both sides through appropriate modalities. In Tanzania, gaps that exist between THPs and scientists/BHP in health research have been addressed through recognition of THPs among stakeholders in the country's health sector as stipulated in the National Health Policy, the Policy and Act of TRM and CAM. Parallel to that, several research institutions in TRM collaborating with THPs are operating. Various programmed research projects in TRM that has involved THPs and other stakeholders are ongoing, aiming at complementing the two health care systems. This paper discusses global, regional and national perspectives of TRM development and efforts that have so far been directed towards bridging the gap between THPs and scientist/BHP in contemporary health research in Tanzania.

This policy brief by the Chronic Poverty Research Centre, examines the link between mental health and chronic poverty in Uganda. It outlines challenges to implementing effective services for people affected by mental disorders and actions that are needed to promote mental health in the country. The paper shows that mental health and chronic poverty are linked in a vicious cycle of exclusion, poor access to services, low productivity, diminished livelihoods and assets depletion. People with mental disorders in Uganda also experience some of the worst forms of stigma and discrimination linked to lack of awareness, misinformation and stereotyping about their condition.

What does the reproductive health (RH) situation among the conflict-affected populations of northern Uganda look like? The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children and the United Nations Population Fund assessed this question in February 2007 and visited the districts of Kitgum and Pader and also a youth center and clinic in Gulu.

The Director-General of the World Health Organisation in an opening address at the International Conference on Health for Development in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 16 June 2007 argued that to realize the great potential of health to drive human development, we must reach the poor with appropriate, high-quality care. The speech explores challenges in the role that primary health care can play in this and how to overcome major barriers, such as weak health systems, inadequate numbers of health care staff, and the challenge of financing care for impoverished people.