scholarly journals The Role of African Nursing Scholars in Strengthening Health Systems across the Continent

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makombo Ganga-Limando

Strengthening a health system is a process that involves a number of changes, initiatives and strategies aimed at improving one or more of the functions of any sub-systems. Several measures are required to ensure that health systems fulfil their core functions. Of more relevance to this article are “the right number and mix of health workers with the appropriate skills, and timely and reliable information, research evidence and capabilities in knowledge management” (WHO, 2010:4). The purpose of this article is to stimulate the interest of the African nursing scholars to engage in the production and dissemination of best practice evidence to support African public policy-makers in their efforts to strengthening health systems. The article looks at the contextual determinants of strengthening health systems in Africa. It concludes by providing the rationale and benefits of the involvement of African nursing scholars in the production and dissemination of best practice evidence to support strengthening health systems in the African context.

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Nils Lindefors ◽  
Anne Lindhardt

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to provide an overview of some of the most important issues faced by acute inpatient facilities in three Scandinavian countries, including reflections and critical remarks for discussion in this field. Information was drawn from scientific articles and official reports published in recent years, as well as the authors' own knowledge of acute facilities in their home countries. Acute inpatient facilities, including General Hospital Psychiatric Units (GHPUs), in all Scandinavian countries have several issues and problems in common, which include the organisation and capacity of acute services, the assessment of dangerousness and suicidality, the use of coercion and efforts to reduce coercion, the need to define and improve the quality of acute services, and the necessity to improve collaboration and continuity between acute services and other services. Although the emphasis some of these issues receive can vary across the three countries, Scandinavian mental health professionals (and policy makers) have begun to systematically share their experiences in developing a growing spirit of collaboration. Despite the role of welfare state and the deployment of substantial resources in Scandinavian countries, mental health practitioners are struggling to implement best practices in acute wards, to develop differentiated forms of acute services, and to reach the right balance and coordination between acute services and other services.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon O. Ademiluka

The Hannah narrative bears close affinities to the African context with respect to the problem of barrenness. Hence, employing the exegetical approach and contextual analysis, this article examines the narrative in relation to the attitude of the church in Nigeria towards the problem of barrenness among its members. The suffering of Hannah resonates with the travails of childless African women; yet, beyond the weekly or monthly prayer services for them, the church has not exploited these similarities enough to assist its barren members. This article states that the church can organise regular programmes to address issues such as causes of barrenness as well as the role of male and female cells in the conception process. It also needs to teach the right attitude of friends and relatives towards childless couples so as to reduce the psychological effects of childlessness particularly on the women. The church can also identify with childless couples by introducing them to the practices of child adoption and surrogacy when all efforts to have children by the natural process fail. As there will always be childless persons in spite of all efforts to have children, the church has the responsibility to make its members accept the fact that children are a gift from God, and that matrimony must not necessarily end in parenthood. Finally, the church in Nigeria needs to assure childless members that they can live happy and fulfilled lives despite their situation of childlessness.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research involves the disciplines of the Old Testament and Christian Ethics. It examines 1 Samuel 1:1–20 in relation to the attitude of the church in Nigeria towards its childless members, stressing that the church can do more in identifying with them.


2020 ◽  
pp. 948-953
Author(s):  
Miriam Mutebi ◽  
Rohini Bhatia ◽  
Omolola Salako ◽  
Fidel Rubagumya ◽  
Surbhi Grover ◽  
...  

Utilization of clinical technology and mobile health (mHealth) is expanding globally. It is important to reflect on how their usage and application could translate in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. With the exponential growth and advancements of mobile and wireless technologies, LMICs are prime to adapt such technologies to potentially democratize and create solutions to health-related challenges. The role of these technologies in oncology clinical trials continues to expand. The lure of mHealth promises disruptive technology that may change the way clinical trials are designed and conducted in many settings. Its applicability in the African context is currently under consideration. Although potentially of expanding benefit, the role of these technologies requires careful and nuanced evaluation of the context in which they might be applied to harness their full potential, while mitigating possible harms or preventing further deepening of disparities within populations. Moreover, technology and digital innovations are no substitute for poor referral pathways and dysfunctional health systems and can only complement or enhance definite strategies aimed at strengthening these health systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-278
Author(s):  
Angshuman Kashyap ◽  
Sangeeta Shrivastava ◽  
Pradeep Krishnatray

Vast majority of parents continue to immunize their children against deadly infectious diseases. However, of late, growing number of them in both developed and developing nations have refused vaccination forcing the World Health Organization to declare vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten major threats to global health. This research reviews literature published in the last few years to understand and explain the phenomenon. It identifies 10 reasons for people’s reluctance for vaccination: parental concerns, perceived disease susceptibility, parent–provider relationship, government policies, role of school authorities, weak interpersonal communication (IPC) skills of health workers, religious beliefs, role of media, social media and information on vaccines, and lack of trust. The review categorizes parents who hesitate or refuse vaccination into four categories: obedients, ditherers, doubters and defiants. Finally, it summarizes recommendations and steps that researchers and policy makers have made to stem the growing concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy.


2020 ◽  

Perspectives and Contributions of Nursing to the Promotion of Universal Health highlights more than 40 projects, activities, stories, and case studies received from the countries of the Region, illustrating the role of nurses and midwives in advancing toward universal health. It also details these essential health workers' rich contribution to health systems, universities, prisons, communities, governments, and schools in all the countries of the Americas. An epilogue includes a powerful story of two American nurses on the front lines of the COVID-19 epidemic. It is further proof of the vital role these health workers have in advancing health for all.


2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Casini

Il presente contributo esamina la decisione del Tribunale Amministrativo della Regione Puglia – sentenza n. 3477 del 14 settembre 2010 – con cui è stato riconosciuto il diritto degli operatori sanitari obiettori di coscienza di poter essere presenti nei Consultori familiari pubblici attraverso la partecipazione ai bandi di concorso. Si tratta di un risultato importante espressione del principio di non discriminazione. Tuttavia, la sentenza suggerisce anche una riflessione più ampia e articolata sulla funzione dei Consultori in ordine alla tutela del diritto alla vita dei figli concepiti e della maternità durante la gravidanza. ---------- This paper examines the decision of the Administrative Court of Puglia Region – Case No. 3477 September 14, 2010 – by which has been admited the right of health workers conscentious objectors to be present within public family advice bureaus participating in announcement of competition. This is an important expression of the principle of non-discrimination. However, the decision also suggests a broader debate and articulate the role of Consultants in order to protect the right to life of children and the motherhood during pregnancy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcu Toğral Koca

Soğuk Savaş'ın sona ermesinin ardından, ulus ötesi etkileriyle küresel gelişmeler, güvenlik konusunda çalışan akademisyenleri, politika yapıcıları, siyasetçileri devlet-merkezli ve askeri-odaklı güvenlik tanımının ötesine taşımıştır. Bu dönüşümle, kalkınmayı güvenlikle ilişkilendiren söylemler de ivme kazanmıştır. Bu söylemlerin ve güvenlik ile kalkınma arasında kurulan bağın göç ve hareketlilik olguları üzerinde de önemli etkileri olmuştur. Zenginler, vasıflı işçiler, “gelişmiş” Batı’nın turistleri serbest dolaşım hakkından sorunsuz bir şekilde yararlanırken; aynı hakkı kullanmak isteyen, sığınmacıları, mültecileri, fakir, vasıfsız ve “düzensiz” göçmenleri kapsayan ve “artık nüfus” olarak nitelendirilebilecek gruplar yoğun ve sert teknolojik/bürokratik kontrol ve güvenlik pratiklerine maruz kalmaya başlamıştır. Bu pratiklerden bir tanesi, Avrupa Birliği’nin (AB) dış sınırlarını bu “istenmeyen”/”artık nüfusa” karşı korumak için faaliyete geçirilen Frontex’in kurulmasıdır. Operasyonel ve kurumsal yapısı itibariyle militarize bir organ olan Frontex, “artık nüfus”tan doğabilecek sözde tehditlere karşı bir kontrol teknolojisine dönüşmüştür. Bu çalışma, biyopolitikayı bir yönetim teknolojisi olarak ele alan Foucaultcu yaklaşım temelinde, bu değişim ve gelişmeleri eleştirel bir yolla çözümlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bunu yaparken, ilk olarak, AB’nin göç rejimini şekillendiren ve biyopolitikanın bir yansıması olan kalkınma ve güvenlik arasında kurulan bağ tahlil edilmiştir. Daha sonra, Frontex ve Frontex’in Türkiye-Yunanistan sınırındaki rolü incelenerek bu tahlil daha somut hale getirilmiştir. Son olarak, Frontex’in operasyonlarının göçmen haklarını ihlal ettiği ortaya konmuş ve bu nedenle AB ve ilgili devletler tarafından geliştirilen biyopolitik göç rejimine karşı insan odaklı, eleştirel bir siyasi duruşun geliştirilmesi gerektiği vurgulanmıştır. ENGLISH TITLE & ABSTRACTBiopolitics, security and the role of Frontex on the Turkish-Greek borderFollowing the end of the Cold War, global developments with their transnational effects have induced security scholars, policy makers and politicians to move beyond state-centric and military-focused conceptualization of security. In this transformation, discourses linking development to security have gained momentum. To put it differently, “liberal” states of the West have constructed a biopolitical distinction between “developed” and “underdeveloped” populations and administered the latter as a security threat to the former. Such framings and the nexus between security and development have had important repercussions for the mobility of people. The rich, skilled labours, tourists from “developed” West have come to enjoy the right to free movement without much of interruption. On the other hand, the “surplus” population, including asylum seekers, refugees, poor, unskilled and “irregular” migrants have been exposed to intense technological/bureaucratic control and surveillance practices. One of them is the introduction of Frontex for policing the European Union (EU)’s external borders against this “unwanted”/”surplus” population in conformity with new discourses linking development to security. This militarized body equipped with war-like devices has turned into a technology of containment related to the so-called threats stemming from “surplus” population. On the basis of these transformations, this paper aims to problematize and unpack these issues through building upon Foucauldian approaches on biopolitics as a technology of government. In particular, the paper, first, deconstructs the nexus between development and security in the EU’s migration regime. This analysis is made more tangible by looking into the activities of Frontex on the Turkish-Greek border. Finally, this paper draws the attention to the human rights implications of this security architecture and resultant practices. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 097468622110070
Author(s):  
Shital Jhunjhunwala ◽  
Shweta Sharda ◽  
J. P. Sharma

Innovation enables firms to face increasing competition in the global environment, but there is variation in innovation investments across firms due to the inherent uncertainty involved in innovative activities. The strategic role of board, therefore, becomes crucial in overseeing innovation decisions. This study, hence, examines whether the relation between R&D investment and firm’s performance would vary based on the board characteristics of the company. It empirically explores this interrelationship in publicly listed Indian companies, by assessing the moderation effect of board using fixed effect regression analysis and conditional effects on a panel data of 9,031 firm years across twelve years. Board size, board meetings, proportion of women director and board leadership are found to negatively moderate the relationship between innovation and financial performance (ROE), however none of them moderates the relation between innovation and firm value (Tobin’s Q). It signifies that though board characteristics play an important role in relationship between innovation and ROE, investors fail to recognise it. Companies should focus on creating the right kind of board, investors must appreciate board’s influence in the success of R&D investments without being driven by mere compliance. Policy makers should deliberate upon the desirability of present structure of stringent laws.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 570-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra C. Buttigieg

The insights from an international scoping review provided by Lehoux et al challenge health policy-makers, entrepreneurs/innovators and users of healthcare, worldwide, to be aware of equity and sustainability challenges at system-level when appraising responsible innovation in health (RIH) – purposefully designed to better support health systems.The authors manage to extract no less than 1391 health system challenges with those mostly cited pertaining to service delivery, human resources, leadership and governance. Countries were classified according to the Human Development Index (HDI), while the authors decided not to classify according to the types of health systems justifying this on the basis that the articles reviewed studied a specific setting within a broader national or regional health system. The article presents highly powerful and discerning viewpoints, indeed providing numerous standpoints, yet in a comprehensive manner, thereby putting structure to a somewhat highly complex and multidimensional subject. This commentary brings forth several considerations that are perceived on reading this article. First, although innovation strategies are important for the dynamicity of health systems, one should discuss whether or not RIH can adequately address equity and sustainability on a global scale. Secondly, RIH across countries should also be debated in the context of the principles garnered by the type of health system, thereby identifying whether or not the prevailing political goals support equity and sustainability, and whether or not policy-makers are adequately supported to translate system-level demand signals into innovation development opportunities. As key messages, the commentary reiterates the emphasis made by the authors of the need for international policy-oriented fora as learning vehicles on RIH that also address system-level challenges, albeit the need to acknowledge cultural differences. In addition, the public has not only the right for transparency on how equity and sustainability challenges are addressed in innovation decisions, but also the responsibilities to contribute to overcome these challenges.


Author(s):  
Marcela Vélez ◽  
Michael G. Wilson ◽  
Julia Abelson ◽  
John N. Lavis ◽  
Guillermo Paraje

Background: Chile and Colombia are examples of Latin American countries with health systems shaped by similar values. Recently, both countries have crafted policies to regulate the participation of private for-profit insurance companies in their health systems, but through very different mechanisms. This study asks: what values are important in the decision-making processes that crafted these policies? And how and why are they used? Methods: An embedded multiple-case study design was carried out for 2 specific decisions in each country: (1) in Chile, the development of the Universal Plan of Explicit Entitlements -AUGE/GES - and mandating universal coverage of treatments for high-cost diseases; and (2) in Colombia, the declaration of health as a fundamental right and a mechanism to explicitly exclude technologies that cannot be publicly funded. We interviewed key informants involved in one or more of the decisions and/or in the policy analysis and development process that contributed to the eventual decision. The data analysis involved a constant comparative approach and thematic analysis for each case study. Results: From the 40 individuals who were invited, 28 key informants participated. A tension between 2 important values was identified for each decision (eg, solidarity vs. individualism for the AUGE/GES plan in Chile; human dignity vs. sustainability for the declaration of the right to health in Colombia). Policy-makers used values in the decisionmaking process to frame problems in meaningful ways, to guide policy development, as a pragmatic instrument to make decisions, and as a way to legitimize decisions. In Chile, values such as individualism and free choice were incorporated in decision-making because attaining private health insurance was seen as an indicator of improved personal economic status. In Colombia, human dignity was incorporated as the core value because the Constitutional Court asserted its importance in its use of judicial activism as a check on the power of the executive and legislative branches. Conclusion: There is an opportunity to open further exploration of the role of values in different health decisions, political sectors besides health, and even other jurisdictions.


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