Wednesday, June 19, 2013
VOLUNTEERING SPIRIT
All human beings are born equal. But due to varying circumstances, some are born in poverty, riches, joy or sadness. In the end, the cycle of life makes its way and claims the less adept and thus, the most at risk of being overcome by misfortunes are the under-privileged.So a profession that has as its core principle the doing of good should be in the forefront of championing equal opportunity in this very unequal world.
Healthcare workers, being in a calling akin to propagation of moral standards and virtue associated with religious belief, should always strive to do the right thing.Using our skills and knowledge to spread useful health and lifestyle information to the public and the under-privileged should be our priority in social justice programmes. Government should provide healthcare, but who is the Government?
HOW MANY OF US WORK FOR government institutions, drawing a salary for our work but like mercenaries we only do so when paid.With no hope of helping directly in our calling, yet we have the skills and degrees to boot? Volunteering at a community health clinic for five hours a month could help reach the disadvantaged and improve service provision.
Thus the healthcare worker should think twice before insisting on a consultation fee of thousands of shillings for a skill that is God-given. Every healthcare worker has a duty and a covenant to protect lives. When a majority of the people in a country is ailing so will its economy. Diseases place a huge burden on the nation in lost work hours while seeking treatment. The 56 per cent who earn less than a dollar a day and cannot have access to basic health facilities are bound to get sicker and poorer while the middle and upper class watch.An alternative way of handling this crisis is by organising health clinics which are not-for-profit and are run in a transparent and accountable manner. We can have one or two specialists volunteer for a six-hour shift to attend to cases related to their area of specialization.
It is possible to attain these health goals. But a team is better than an individual effort because of the synergy inherent in our collective experiences and knowledge. This is why there is need for the formation of a team to coordinate the activities and brainstorm on how we can help in the provision of health benefits. These volunteer activities are an investment in the future of our nation. This is a fact, as we shall end up spending less on curative healthcare as in a preventive system the economically active portion the population is able to produce more to help realise Vision 2030.
With our small interventions here and there, we can give proper guidance and reach a stage where the Government would be offering preventive healthcare on a regular basis rather than when floods wreak havoc in the low lying areas.Identifying the health needs of various sections of society will ensure proper procurement of drugs based on need. This should serve as a wake-up call to health professionals to act with more compassion for the poor. For the general population, good health is a blessing, hence the need to prevent diseases.
WE'VE ALL HAD DEEP MOMENTS OF reflection in our lives and guided by our sense of purpose and altruism we can surely achieve our goal.Kenya can only be built through community partnerships and not individualistic pursuits spurred by the Western capitalistic mindset of what is in it for whoever does something for the community.
(Opinion piece share on Daily Nation in April 2007) by me.
Nostradamic??Hmmmm.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
FEEDBACK ON MY POSTS
Hello.
Sometimes in life we seek feedback and criticism on what we post.I guess I am asking whoever has read my blogs to comment on how you find the posts.I will greatly appreciate the feedback.
Sometimes in life we seek feedback and criticism on what we post.I guess I am asking whoever has read my blogs to comment on how you find the posts.I will greatly appreciate the feedback.
Friday, June 14, 2013
NATIONAL HEALTH SCHEME FOR KENYA IS POSSIBLE TODAY
I believe that the more we keep quiet and do nothing to clamour for change of the way we are governed,the more the government will perpetuate the status quo.In healthcare the status quo is NOT an option.So i beg to ask what happened to the famous Ngilu bill?I guess many of you have questioned that too..This is what i think happened,and how we can reclaim our health system from the doldrums.
A degree of sceptism and cynism is good,but overly worked up frenzy can lead to witch hunting and retrogressive development(quite ironical really).The cynical and suspicious nature of Kenyans has been embedded so deeply in the psyche that all we ever see when we look at a lush green field are the weeds. It is this stereotype that has been well propagated and accepted that we always are the first people to not see the benefits of some visionary planning in government or in the private sector.This has been perpetrated so fully that it’s the stereotype of the typical Kenyan. It is so acceptable that the most memorable character portrayals of a Kenyan on TV and films is of a nosy, curious and inquisitive neighbour(Mother-in-Law?),always poking more holes into affairs than an anxious woodpecker on a cypress tree. Some stereotypes lead to labeling, and labeling makes one to associate with the trend that they are thought to exhibit. Lord forgive me for thinking of the perceived stereotype of the nationals of a major West African nation we all have and how it more than always is true as they live up to it. Anyway this discussion is not about stereotype but rather more critical matters of health care and what we make of it.
You see, Madam Charity Ngilu when serving as a Minister of Health called for the formation of a national social health insurance fund. The next thing we heard were voices all over the media up in arms on how unworkable the formula was. But we all knew what they meant was actually “Gee, its more political mileage to so and so if it succeeds and I have to stop it” or the thought that “someone wants to eat here”. So hear me out on what I truly think of the health scheme.
First,the name. We all too ignorantly think of insurance as a way getting rich through profiting from work not done.Far from it,In fact it’s a scheme of protection against an unlikely occurrence.Even the islamic culture i belong to had a maritime insurance of sought which cushioned the travellers against misfortunes likely to occur in the journey(i bet you didnt know that).We need to re evaluate the title of any proposed scheme of health "cushion" to a more benign and socially acceptable word - National Health Service perhaps.?
Secondly, a well run healthcare system with most minimal problems best works where the level of vested interest is minimal and the concerns of the majority dorminates.Any vested interest like big pharmaceutical companies(Big Pharma) would cringe at the thought that branded drug sales be restricted after the attainment of a certain percentage of profit. This would involve full disclosure of the research and development costs(which can be substantial and important in innovative product formulation),operational costs and the mark up they put on the final drugs,visa a vie the prices in the Western world bearing in mind the limited purchasing power of the commom Mwananchi. The recovery of their capital layout and development costs should be markers of the expiry of a product’s patent akin to mining of resources in a country by leasing the land for a number of years and not the wholesale purchase of all the land in a country. This would stop the endless exploitation of generations of (Just an aside here, did you know that some drugs are more expensive here in Kenya than in U.K? I bet you didn’t know).Since the national health scheme would limit their influence in the purchase of branded drugs they will oppose it by all means. You see, the scheme is more of a reform of the health sector to ensure the best structure for the provision of services that Kenyans crave. Thus, the second thing to do is rein in the runaway train of vested interest so dormant in all spheres of our lives that not a person is immune from its repercussions. Be it the pull of prescribing the branded drug from Western multinationals,by a naive-doctor who attended its launch in the rather dreamy comforts of a five star hotel.
Thirdly, for the scheme to work the healthcare body management should be from the ground level catering for local needs and not imposed on the people from Central government.With the devolved system of government and the President's commitment to its effective achievement i do think its possible.An emphasize on meritocracy at all levels and selection on the basis of ability and passion to serve and not from the political or social affiliations. The administrative structure should be based on the concept of performance contracts system so well utilized by the other target of my wild tirades against the west, the multinational organizations.With their aesthetically appealing logos and catchy mottos that promise nirvana and (36 hours of Pleasure!). With this clear set up of transparent body for the operations, spurred by a need to provide quality ,affordable(even free to the unemployed) healthcare to the people with the sole intention being operational efficiency and not greed for profit or self engradisement.Such a system can work if we shed cynism and mistrust we have of one another and sit down to chart the way forward to free healthcare system molded on the Cuban example.
So, what is the worst case scenario if we do implement the system? Well,operational inefficiencies and a bit of bureaucratic hitches over the disbursement of payments and rebates to the private health institutions would be one major one.Thus,the opposition by the private health institutions lobby. But again why would we have to go to private health providers if the public health system works. The insurance firms anyway have more restrictions in the medical insurance covers they offer than the corset of a Victorian maid. This does not justify the premium paid. Yet its all legal as you sign on the dotted line out of own volition and not compulsion by anyone. But again, why pay for healthcare if the public service works. The vested interests thus have been vocal in the challenge to this development and will continue to be so till they have their way. By now you will understand why I cannot be a poster-boy for any for-profit organization. So, I rest assured that I won’t get sponsorship to the professional association symposiums. But again symposiums held in posh hotels and heavily sponsored by Big Pharma is not my type of occasion to schmooze and confer with colleagues. I would rather it be a simple affair at public venues with regular meetings and professional development activities and awareness and social programs regularly. That way, the piper doesn’t get paid.
Am not wholly against Big Pharma because they offer some nices goodies, like the pen I used to draft the first copy of this bitter pill on paper (pardon the pun).So, all am asking is that we listen with an open mind to all reasonable voice of reason and reach a consensus to save our people.The new Minister of Health should guide us forward towards the achievable goals of Healthcare for all by 2010!!! or anywhere close to that year.2050 perhaps.(I will be 75yrs then and in need of a good nursing home.That is if hypertension,diabetes,Prostate issues and arthritis dont get to me).
For there to be effective healthcare reforms we have to listen to the healthcare personnel in their quest for better service for the people they took an oath to heal.Kenya Medical Pratitioners,Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has been vocal in bringing attention to the utterly deplorable conditions our health institutions are in.With there zeal to correct the ills of years gone by,the Minister will surely have to listen to them and nurses who tend after the sick in difficult circumstances and at minimal wage.Also varied opinions from people with expertise in various sectors of management, social services should be welcome.
As a parting shot I have to remind all of us that the magic of modern medicines,Penicillin was discovered accidentally by Fleming in that very famous morsel of bread on laboratory table story.Thus we never know,maybe Ngilu may have had a an idea way before its time and its now time to actualise it.
I am a rather naïve and Quixotic fellow, willing to believe in the power of the possibility of achieving much through altruism and empathy with actions that are not selfish in the least, if such a thing exists.To conclude I hope the venom of my anger is not all rage but useful in shaping a policy that can help this nation for now and eternity.
Thank you. God Bless Kenya.
A degree of sceptism and cynism is good,but overly worked up frenzy can lead to witch hunting and retrogressive development(quite ironical really).The cynical and suspicious nature of Kenyans has been embedded so deeply in the psyche that all we ever see when we look at a lush green field are the weeds. It is this stereotype that has been well propagated and accepted that we always are the first people to not see the benefits of some visionary planning in government or in the private sector.This has been perpetrated so fully that it’s the stereotype of the typical Kenyan. It is so acceptable that the most memorable character portrayals of a Kenyan on TV and films is of a nosy, curious and inquisitive neighbour(Mother-in-Law?),always poking more holes into affairs than an anxious woodpecker on a cypress tree. Some stereotypes lead to labeling, and labeling makes one to associate with the trend that they are thought to exhibit. Lord forgive me for thinking of the perceived stereotype of the nationals of a major West African nation we all have and how it more than always is true as they live up to it. Anyway this discussion is not about stereotype but rather more critical matters of health care and what we make of it.
You see, Madam Charity Ngilu when serving as a Minister of Health called for the formation of a national social health insurance fund. The next thing we heard were voices all over the media up in arms on how unworkable the formula was. But we all knew what they meant was actually “Gee, its more political mileage to so and so if it succeeds and I have to stop it” or the thought that “someone wants to eat here”. So hear me out on what I truly think of the health scheme.
First,the name. We all too ignorantly think of insurance as a way getting rich through profiting from work not done.Far from it,In fact it’s a scheme of protection against an unlikely occurrence.Even the islamic culture i belong to had a maritime insurance of sought which cushioned the travellers against misfortunes likely to occur in the journey(i bet you didnt know that).We need to re evaluate the title of any proposed scheme of health "cushion" to a more benign and socially acceptable word - National Health Service perhaps.?
Secondly, a well run healthcare system with most minimal problems best works where the level of vested interest is minimal and the concerns of the majority dorminates.Any vested interest like big pharmaceutical companies(Big Pharma) would cringe at the thought that branded drug sales be restricted after the attainment of a certain percentage of profit. This would involve full disclosure of the research and development costs(which can be substantial and important in innovative product formulation),operational costs and the mark up they put on the final drugs,visa a vie the prices in the Western world bearing in mind the limited purchasing power of the commom Mwananchi. The recovery of their capital layout and development costs should be markers of the expiry of a product’s patent akin to mining of resources in a country by leasing the land for a number of years and not the wholesale purchase of all the land in a country. This would stop the endless exploitation of generations of (Just an aside here, did you know that some drugs are more expensive here in Kenya than in U.K? I bet you didn’t know).Since the national health scheme would limit their influence in the purchase of branded drugs they will oppose it by all means. You see, the scheme is more of a reform of the health sector to ensure the best structure for the provision of services that Kenyans crave. Thus, the second thing to do is rein in the runaway train of vested interest so dormant in all spheres of our lives that not a person is immune from its repercussions. Be it the pull of prescribing the branded drug from Western multinationals,by a naive-doctor who attended its launch in the rather dreamy comforts of a five star hotel.
Thirdly, for the scheme to work the healthcare body management should be from the ground level catering for local needs and not imposed on the people from Central government.With the devolved system of government and the President's commitment to its effective achievement i do think its possible.An emphasize on meritocracy at all levels and selection on the basis of ability and passion to serve and not from the political or social affiliations. The administrative structure should be based on the concept of performance contracts system so well utilized by the other target of my wild tirades against the west, the multinational organizations.With their aesthetically appealing logos and catchy mottos that promise nirvana and (36 hours of Pleasure!). With this clear set up of transparent body for the operations, spurred by a need to provide quality ,affordable(even free to the unemployed) healthcare to the people with the sole intention being operational efficiency and not greed for profit or self engradisement.Such a system can work if we shed cynism and mistrust we have of one another and sit down to chart the way forward to free healthcare system molded on the Cuban example.
So, what is the worst case scenario if we do implement the system? Well,operational inefficiencies and a bit of bureaucratic hitches over the disbursement of payments and rebates to the private health institutions would be one major one.Thus,the opposition by the private health institutions lobby. But again why would we have to go to private health providers if the public health system works. The insurance firms anyway have more restrictions in the medical insurance covers they offer than the corset of a Victorian maid. This does not justify the premium paid. Yet its all legal as you sign on the dotted line out of own volition and not compulsion by anyone. But again, why pay for healthcare if the public service works. The vested interests thus have been vocal in the challenge to this development and will continue to be so till they have their way. By now you will understand why I cannot be a poster-boy for any for-profit organization. So, I rest assured that I won’t get sponsorship to the professional association symposiums. But again symposiums held in posh hotels and heavily sponsored by Big Pharma is not my type of occasion to schmooze and confer with colleagues. I would rather it be a simple affair at public venues with regular meetings and professional development activities and awareness and social programs regularly. That way, the piper doesn’t get paid.
Am not wholly against Big Pharma because they offer some nices goodies, like the pen I used to draft the first copy of this bitter pill on paper (pardon the pun).So, all am asking is that we listen with an open mind to all reasonable voice of reason and reach a consensus to save our people.The new Minister of Health should guide us forward towards the achievable goals of Healthcare for all by 2010!!! or anywhere close to that year.2050 perhaps.(I will be 75yrs then and in need of a good nursing home.That is if hypertension,diabetes,Prostate issues and arthritis dont get to me).
For there to be effective healthcare reforms we have to listen to the healthcare personnel in their quest for better service for the people they took an oath to heal.Kenya Medical Pratitioners,Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has been vocal in bringing attention to the utterly deplorable conditions our health institutions are in.With there zeal to correct the ills of years gone by,the Minister will surely have to listen to them and nurses who tend after the sick in difficult circumstances and at minimal wage.Also varied opinions from people with expertise in various sectors of management, social services should be welcome.
As a parting shot I have to remind all of us that the magic of modern medicines,Penicillin was discovered accidentally by Fleming in that very famous morsel of bread on laboratory table story.Thus we never know,maybe Ngilu may have had a an idea way before its time and its now time to actualise it.
I am a rather naïve and Quixotic fellow, willing to believe in the power of the possibility of achieving much through altruism and empathy with actions that are not selfish in the least, if such a thing exists.To conclude I hope the venom of my anger is not all rage but useful in shaping a policy that can help this nation for now and eternity.
Thank you. God Bless Kenya.
PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE FOR SLUM DWELLERS
Knowing fully well that i have no relative or child in the slums that am aware of,i wonder whether i should write this plea.For there is nothing in it for me other than the satisfaction of having raised the point for greater preventive healthcare for the most at risk of diseases.
It is a well known fact that water-borne diseases account for a major percentage of diseases affecting the slum dwellers of Nairobi.The curative treatment of such diseases almost a superficial addressing of the plight when the problem is really at its worst.Our bane is the curse of Sisyphus (in Greek mythology was a king of Ephyra)punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.We are doomed to spend more on curative healthcare and unless we take Dida's advice and dwelt on preventative approach to healthcare we shall forever be in the vortex of ill health.
Modern medicine has discovered vaccines able to confer immunity for a certain time period against some tropical diseases.But the cost of such are just beyond the reach of more than half of the majority of the urban dwellers who live in slums.(In fact Nairobi is composed of a big portion of the populace living in the slums while a minority live in relative comfort of the estates.i guess you could say Nairobi is one big slum.)
So the pitch am making is this,the government should look at the root cause of ill-health in the most at risk(read slum dwellers) and tackle the problem once and for all.Many research have been conducted on the root cause of the problems and we need not fund any other study but rather implement the findings from those studies.Failure to that the government needs to urgently look at how they can subsidize the cost of vaccination of some of these diseases like Typhoid for the the slum dwellers.A pilot project in one of the many slums could be a start and a pointer of the feasibility of a more broad based expansion of the program.This will address a need that is felt,yet not a soul speaks to highlight it,or is it because we have nothing in it for ourselves?
The very slum dwellers compose a major portion of the most active members of the workforce for the industries and construction sites and deserve to benefit from the economic growth they have so much helped to ensure.But as much as we may think that it is the concern of the slum dwellers to ensure good health,the county governments should provide communal sanitation and water supply as a matter of priority to make the places more habitable.These,together with continuous health education sessions through the media that the people understand most will help to improve the health of the nation.With an ensuing better economic growth through lower spending on curative health.So the choice is clear,but what can i do?am just a dreamer. Come to think of it,why should we have slums in the first place.Hhhhmmmm!!!!!
It is a well known fact that water-borne diseases account for a major percentage of diseases affecting the slum dwellers of Nairobi.The curative treatment of such diseases almost a superficial addressing of the plight when the problem is really at its worst.Our bane is the curse of Sisyphus (in Greek mythology was a king of Ephyra)punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.We are doomed to spend more on curative healthcare and unless we take Dida's advice and dwelt on preventative approach to healthcare we shall forever be in the vortex of ill health.
Modern medicine has discovered vaccines able to confer immunity for a certain time period against some tropical diseases.But the cost of such are just beyond the reach of more than half of the majority of the urban dwellers who live in slums.(In fact Nairobi is composed of a big portion of the populace living in the slums while a minority live in relative comfort of the estates.i guess you could say Nairobi is one big slum.)
So the pitch am making is this,the government should look at the root cause of ill-health in the most at risk(read slum dwellers) and tackle the problem once and for all.Many research have been conducted on the root cause of the problems and we need not fund any other study but rather implement the findings from those studies.Failure to that the government needs to urgently look at how they can subsidize the cost of vaccination of some of these diseases like Typhoid for the the slum dwellers.A pilot project in one of the many slums could be a start and a pointer of the feasibility of a more broad based expansion of the program.This will address a need that is felt,yet not a soul speaks to highlight it,or is it because we have nothing in it for ourselves?
The very slum dwellers compose a major portion of the most active members of the workforce for the industries and construction sites and deserve to benefit from the economic growth they have so much helped to ensure.But as much as we may think that it is the concern of the slum dwellers to ensure good health,the county governments should provide communal sanitation and water supply as a matter of priority to make the places more habitable.These,together with continuous health education sessions through the media that the people understand most will help to improve the health of the nation.With an ensuing better economic growth through lower spending on curative health.So the choice is clear,but what can i do?am just a dreamer. Come to think of it,why should we have slums in the first place.Hhhhmmmm!!!!!
STOP HEALTHCARE RESEARCH IN KENYA
Can we stop all research in healthcare in Kenya and benefit? Yes we can. The number of research that has been done on diverse areas of healthcare is unlimited yet there continues to be a greater output of more research by the day. The intentions of research are noble and spurred by the need to help, but what do we do after research findings are published in limited circulation journals and the message not propagated? The circus round starts with conferences and tours all over the world, from Monaco to Lisbon then Vegas.
We should have a way in which an implementation strategy is sought, prioritized and pursued. This together with constant monitoring and evaluation of the outcome measure would help to realize the goals of research, for I know that the end game of research is not publication but correction of a problem. You can only guess why there shall continue to be more research submissions everyday simply because the problems have NOT been solved.
Research can be lucrative too, ensuring the lead investigator and the support personnel comfortable conference stipends on top of the salaries that they earn and a chance to abort from the hot seat of implementing the findings of the earlier research. This way no one gets to burn their fingers trying to salvage the morass of unequal distribution of health infrastructure and the over centralization of the healthcare centers. This is what is referred to as apathy by the healthcare givers in pursuit of self-centered goals.
A government publication on health launched to spread the message of implementation of research would be a vehicle to deliver the message to the wider medical fraternity. But as Kenyans are not a reading nation,I wonder how many health professionals will read this piece.There is a need for propagation of the message by having regular Continous medical education and pegging continuous professional development as a requirement for annual registration to the various health regulatory bodies as has been embraced by all healthcare bodies.
The higher education curriculum should also be amended, to emphasize more on the implementation of the works of earlier research in a given area rather than generation of more proposals and research projects.
It can be easier said than done, but if incentives in the form of new wing to a hospital or a modern laboratory and diagnostic equipments for successfully instituting an intervention are given then the benefits are bound to be limitless and self-sustaining. With replication of the interventions in different areas a tide towards a beneficial health system will have been unleashed. You see all it takes is one successful scheme and the journey will have started.
This is the only way we can improve service provision through better practice.Fund only implementation strategies and ensure a continuous improvement and progress.I therefore call on the stoppage of all research on healthcare service provision and instead we focus on implementation of earlier research findings. But clinical practice research can continue only if the attained outcome is betterment of management of diseases to the most at need and disadvantaged in society.
Failure of this, all I can foresee is a continuation of the status quo of unimplemented,execellent studies not being utilized and more resources used for research of the same nature. The time to stop more research and work on the findings is nigh. Rise up O healers.
We should have a way in which an implementation strategy is sought, prioritized and pursued. This together with constant monitoring and evaluation of the outcome measure would help to realize the goals of research, for I know that the end game of research is not publication but correction of a problem. You can only guess why there shall continue to be more research submissions everyday simply because the problems have NOT been solved.
Research can be lucrative too, ensuring the lead investigator and the support personnel comfortable conference stipends on top of the salaries that they earn and a chance to abort from the hot seat of implementing the findings of the earlier research. This way no one gets to burn their fingers trying to salvage the morass of unequal distribution of health infrastructure and the over centralization of the healthcare centers. This is what is referred to as apathy by the healthcare givers in pursuit of self-centered goals.
A government publication on health launched to spread the message of implementation of research would be a vehicle to deliver the message to the wider medical fraternity. But as Kenyans are not a reading nation,I wonder how many health professionals will read this piece.There is a need for propagation of the message by having regular Continous medical education and pegging continuous professional development as a requirement for annual registration to the various health regulatory bodies as has been embraced by all healthcare bodies.
The higher education curriculum should also be amended, to emphasize more on the implementation of the works of earlier research in a given area rather than generation of more proposals and research projects.
It can be easier said than done, but if incentives in the form of new wing to a hospital or a modern laboratory and diagnostic equipments for successfully instituting an intervention are given then the benefits are bound to be limitless and self-sustaining. With replication of the interventions in different areas a tide towards a beneficial health system will have been unleashed. You see all it takes is one successful scheme and the journey will have started.
This is the only way we can improve service provision through better practice.Fund only implementation strategies and ensure a continuous improvement and progress.I therefore call on the stoppage of all research on healthcare service provision and instead we focus on implementation of earlier research findings. But clinical practice research can continue only if the attained outcome is betterment of management of diseases to the most at need and disadvantaged in society.
Failure of this, all I can foresee is a continuation of the status quo of unimplemented,execellent studies not being utilized and more resources used for research of the same nature. The time to stop more research and work on the findings is nigh. Rise up O healers.
HEALTHCARE REFORMS ACTIVISM
Spirituality is more than thumping our chests in pride over how blessed materially we are, or crouching in a corner deep in meditation oblivious to the pain and suffering all around us. I believe that making a difference in the life of someone without reminding them of your generosity or demanding payback from them is what is truly holy. Thus putting in place measure to bring healthcare services closer to the people should be considered a religious duty.
You see, the level of commitment, dedication and selfless efforts needed to make it a reality is trying even to the most patient of us all. This is what causes many to despair and opt out of any initiative to help such causes. Health activism is a cause that is spurred by passion and fueled by altruistic motives of the greater good. It is a broad concept of social awakening where the conscience will not give you respite from the knowledge that you could have helped but didn’t. And the more you escape into individual ambivalence, the more you shall regret not having done anything.
Health activism can be overt and public in the form of diplomatic maneuvering the corridors of power to petition for the under privileged. This is a full time job that has its perils of threat from all quarters that have a lot to lose from the poor getting better healthcare can be liberated from their control.Also,it has no financial reward that many of us worship. Specific actions in such cases could involve pressuring the lawmakers and senior bureaucrats at the health ministry to pass a bill extending the coverage of immunization programs to include other communicable water borne diseases like typhoid and childhood rotavirus diarrhea. This is especially true in the slums. But this form is limited by the resources in time and money to push the agenda for the powerless.
As you read this right now, probably the cook or the watchman’s kid is sick and he cannot afford to take them to hospital. But are you approachable enough for them to count on you to help give them a soft loan and the time off to take the kid to hospital? Change starts with you. This morning, ask the house help how she is fairing on with life and be open and frank with them. You will be surprised at the amount of burden they have to bear, yet manage to tend to your every whim and wish all day long for a meager minimum wage. So my appeal is this, take it upon yourself to be your brother’s keeper and ensure the less fortunate have a better health status, for the benefit will be great for this nation.
It pains me that someone will not get medical attention today because they don’t have the token 20 bob for registration at the government health centre 40 kms away.So,I ask you if you are near one such person to pay it on my behalf and it would ease the pressure on my conscience. Look past the ethnic and economic barriers that separate us to help in one way or another, for this is what humanity is all about, individual activism.
At the community level, our only hope is with the health workers who almost like mercenaries out to kill time, watch the clock at the lounge of the health center.My appeal to them is to serve with diligence and compassion. Because frankly speaking,timely services would ensure that the masses flooding our hospitals get attended to and resume work for the day, even if for half the day’s wage to feed their family even if only for one more meal.
Compassion and devotion to serve is all that separates the health workers from the other occupations and makes this a calling. Contentment thus, should come from within and not from material rewards.That said it is ironic that the one profession we all look up to in times of needs and in hope have to work in harsh conditions while still sacrificing their good nights sleep to be in the theatre to carry out the emergency operation and in the morning hope to catch a thousand winks before continuing with the day shift,all for a meager salary.
I have to tentatively hope that the media and social forces of change have a role in creating awareness of the various factors that determine health outcomes, in order to ensure sustainable gains in healthcare delivery in all counties.After all has been said and done,I do believe that the rich nations of the world are so because of the health status of their populace and not vice versa.Abuja declaration of the government spending 15% of GDP on healthcare has has been cited many times as a magic wand that would ensure attainment of Millenium Development Goals(MDGs).I just hope one day soon we shall realize that we unless the country's leadership makes the right choices to improve the health of the people we shall be having only limited and refractory successes that cost more on the health system and the nation.Real change starts with #Healthreforms today.
You see, the level of commitment, dedication and selfless efforts needed to make it a reality is trying even to the most patient of us all. This is what causes many to despair and opt out of any initiative to help such causes. Health activism is a cause that is spurred by passion and fueled by altruistic motives of the greater good. It is a broad concept of social awakening where the conscience will not give you respite from the knowledge that you could have helped but didn’t. And the more you escape into individual ambivalence, the more you shall regret not having done anything.
Health activism can be overt and public in the form of diplomatic maneuvering the corridors of power to petition for the under privileged. This is a full time job that has its perils of threat from all quarters that have a lot to lose from the poor getting better healthcare can be liberated from their control.Also,it has no financial reward that many of us worship. Specific actions in such cases could involve pressuring the lawmakers and senior bureaucrats at the health ministry to pass a bill extending the coverage of immunization programs to include other communicable water borne diseases like typhoid and childhood rotavirus diarrhea. This is especially true in the slums. But this form is limited by the resources in time and money to push the agenda for the powerless.
As you read this right now, probably the cook or the watchman’s kid is sick and he cannot afford to take them to hospital. But are you approachable enough for them to count on you to help give them a soft loan and the time off to take the kid to hospital? Change starts with you. This morning, ask the house help how she is fairing on with life and be open and frank with them. You will be surprised at the amount of burden they have to bear, yet manage to tend to your every whim and wish all day long for a meager minimum wage. So my appeal is this, take it upon yourself to be your brother’s keeper and ensure the less fortunate have a better health status, for the benefit will be great for this nation.
It pains me that someone will not get medical attention today because they don’t have the token 20 bob for registration at the government health centre 40 kms away.So,I ask you if you are near one such person to pay it on my behalf and it would ease the pressure on my conscience. Look past the ethnic and economic barriers that separate us to help in one way or another, for this is what humanity is all about, individual activism.
At the community level, our only hope is with the health workers who almost like mercenaries out to kill time, watch the clock at the lounge of the health center.My appeal to them is to serve with diligence and compassion. Because frankly speaking,timely services would ensure that the masses flooding our hospitals get attended to and resume work for the day, even if for half the day’s wage to feed their family even if only for one more meal.
Compassion and devotion to serve is all that separates the health workers from the other occupations and makes this a calling. Contentment thus, should come from within and not from material rewards.That said it is ironic that the one profession we all look up to in times of needs and in hope have to work in harsh conditions while still sacrificing their good nights sleep to be in the theatre to carry out the emergency operation and in the morning hope to catch a thousand winks before continuing with the day shift,all for a meager salary.
I have to tentatively hope that the media and social forces of change have a role in creating awareness of the various factors that determine health outcomes, in order to ensure sustainable gains in healthcare delivery in all counties.After all has been said and done,I do believe that the rich nations of the world are so because of the health status of their populace and not vice versa.Abuja declaration of the government spending 15% of GDP on healthcare has has been cited many times as a magic wand that would ensure attainment of Millenium Development Goals(MDGs).I just hope one day soon we shall realize that we unless the country's leadership makes the right choices to improve the health of the people we shall be having only limited and refractory successes that cost more on the health system and the nation.Real change starts with #Healthreforms today.
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