scholarly journals Struggle for Right to Health Equity and Social Justice: Remembering Professor David Sanders

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 84-89
Author(s):  
Madhusudan Subedi

Professor David Sanders, a well-renowned academic, consummate activist and commentator, a great public intellectual passed away on 30th August 2019 at the age of 74 years. He was a champion of economic and social justice and one of the pioneers of the importance of primary health care who emphasized the importance of involving communities, being accountable to communities and role of community health workers in promoting health and preventing disease. David shaped research and teaching in public health for almost five decades. This paper highlights David's contribution in public health teaching, research and advocacy. Keywords: Public intellectual, People's Health Movement, Struggle for Health, David Sanders

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-120
Author(s):  
Marietou Niang

This commentary discusses the different roles of community health workers (CHWs), their challenges and limitations in a historical perspective of primary health care (PHC). We first try to show that the comprehensive philosophy of PHC promulgated in Alma-Ata proposed the role of CHWs as actors who work in community development. On the other hand, in the 1980s, with the emergence of the selective philosophy of PHC, CHWs’ role was more affiliated with the health system. We conclude our pitch about the balance that can exist between these different roles by suggesting that CHWs can work in continuity with the health system, but they should not be considered as affordable labor. Also, they must be supported in their activities to develop their communities, allowing them to participate effectively in programs and policies that concern them and their community.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Claudio Signorelli ◽  
Angela Taft ◽  
Pedro Paulo Gomes Pereira

Abstract Domestic violence creates multiple harms for women's health and is a ‘wicked problem’ for health professionals and public health systems. Brazil recently approved public policies to manage and care for women victims of domestic violence. Facing these policies, this study aimed to explore how domestic violence against women is usually managed in Brazilian primary health care, by investigating a basic health unit and its family health strategy. We adopted qualitative ethnographic research methods with thematic analysis of emergent categories, interrogating data with gender theory and emergent Brazilian collective health theory. Field research was conducted in a local basic health unit and the territory for which it is responsible, in Southern Brazil. The study revealed: 1) a yawning gap between public health policies for domestic violence against women at the federal level and its practical application at local/decentralized levels, which can leave both professionals and women unsafe; 2) the key role of local community health workers, paraprofessional health promotion agents, who aim to promote dialogue between women experiencing violence, health care professionals and the health care system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-85
Author(s):  
Evi Kurniawati ◽  
Nurwijayanti Nurwijayanti ◽  
Agusta Dian Ellina

A person's interest in services is related to the ability of these service providers to provide care. Interest in adolescents to take advantage of adolescent health care services is influenced by several factors, including perceptions, peers and the role of health workers in the service at puskesmas. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the interest of teenage return visits at the PKPR (Youth Caring Health Services) Gondang Legi Health Center in Malang Regency. The design of this study was an observational quantitative study with a cross sectional approach with the focus of the research directed to be analyzing perceptions, the role of peers and the role of health workers on the interest of teenage return visits at the PKPR (Youth Care Health Services) Gondang Legi Public Health Center Malang Regency with a population of 167 respondents and a sample of 113 respondents taken by accidental sampling technique. The findings found that the majority of respondents had less categories of perception as many as 57 respondents (50.4%). In addition, the majority of respondents had the role of less peer categories of 45 respondents (51.3%). In addition, most respondents had the role of health workers in the good category of 59 respondents (52.2%). While the majority of respondents had a high interest category of 62 respondents (54.9%). The results of the study using the Logistic Regression Test showed that a p-value of 0,000 <0.05 then H1 was accepted so it was concluded that there was simultaneously the influence of perception, the role of peers and the role of health workers on the interest of teenage returnees in the PKPR (Youth Care Health Services) ) Gondang Legi Health Center in Malang Regency. The perspective of the patient regarding the available health services raises their perceptions. All friends will make an impact on individuals. And the provision of special services to adolescents through special treatment tailored to the desires, tastes and needs of adolescents has not been implemented


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo Bianchi ◽  
Chiara Milani ◽  
Angela Bechini ◽  
Sara Boccalini ◽  
Maria José Caldes Pinilla ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Because of its low cost and its capability in reducing child mortality and morbidity, vaccination is considered a successful preventive deed in Low and Middle-Income Countries. In Senegal, vaccines are provided free of charge by the public health system, but the provision of the service is not evenly distributed between and within the Regions. Our study aimed at identifying barriers and enabling factors towards vaccination in three Regions of Senegal. Methods We performed 41 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with health services’ workers and three focus groups with local women in nine different structures in three different Regions of Senegal. We combined health workers’ (HW) and mothers’ points of view with direct observation in order to fulfill our purpose. Results We identified three groups of barriers – structural, personal and psychological – and many subthemes for each of them. Structural and personal barriers such as inadequacy of health structures, shortage of HW, lack of money, distance between villages and health facilities and lack of public transport, hamper mothers from utilising the vaccination service, even when they want to. The lack of effective communication between health personnel and mothers, the lack of collaboration between traditional and conventional medicine and the lack of trust in the public health system as a whole, are major problems to the vaccination uptake too. Conclusions The interlink of several elements in conditioning vaccination coverage suggests the need of implementing global and national strategies to overcome them. The key factor is the presence of a solid health system, publicly funded, based on primary health care. On the other hand, context-specific determinants cannot be detected based on global and non-specific information. The role of community health workers (CHWs) is crucial in overcoming wrong beliefs, lack of knowledge and distrust. They must be regarded as a bridge between HW and population. CHWs should be formally included in the organization of the social-health system, adequately formed and enhanced.


Author(s):  
Karisma Nur Insani ◽  
Dedy Purwito

Objective: to identify the perception of health workers about collaborative practices in the Bojong Primary Health Care in Purbalingga Regency. .Methods: This article is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. used the Snowball technique (Non probably sampling). Data collection using interviews with 9 participants consisting of 6 key informants and 3 general informants with the characteristics of the age of the informant is more than 30 years. working time is more than the same as 5 years.Results: This study shows there were various perceptions of health workers about collaborative practices at the Bojong Primary Health Care in Purbalingga District. The researcher divides into 6 themes which include interprofessional relations, effective communication, the role of leaders, lack of human resources, changing roles, and workload.Conclusion: Health workers agree that collaborative practice is closely related to interpersonal relationships between health workers. Supporting factors in collaborative practice are effective communication, and the role of the leader. Then the inhibiting factors of collaborative practice are lack of human resources, changing roles and workload.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 2290
Author(s):  
Cláudia B. Santos-Pinto ◽  
Claudia S. Osorio-de-Castro ◽  
Larissa M. Ferreira ◽  
Elaine S. Miranda

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection emerged in Brazil in 2015, leading to the declaration of a national public health emergency, mainly due to its consequences for pregnant women and newborn babies. The Zika epidemic demanded major efforts from the public health system to address the full range of disease consequences. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of Primary Health Care pharmacists working in the city of Campo Grande in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Methods: A qualitative cross-sectional interview-based study with pharmacists working in municipal Primary Health Care services was carried out to investigate knowledge about the disease and involvement in the response to the health emergency. Informed consent was obtained. After coding, the corpus underwent thematic analysis. Results: The data show that few professionals had received specific training in public health. Knowledge largely encompassed disease transmission by the mosquito and collective and individual preventive measures. Findings highlight knowledge gaps relating to signs and symptoms, diagnosis, consequences of infection, and the role of epidemiological surveillance. Most professionals mentioned at least one of the recommendations on the use of medicines in symptom management protocols. The practical implications surrounding knowledge gaps and misconceptions were reflected in pharmacists´ role in response, restricted to counselling on preventive measures. Few respondents participated in institutional groups and committees or in multiprofessional teams involving case management. Conclusions: The study identified important knowledge gaps and showed that the involvement of pharmacy professionals in the response to the Zika epidemic was timid or inadequate. The results also suggest that pharmacists failed to recognize their role in interventions related to the ZIKV epidemic. Findings highlight the need to increase the involvement of primary care pharmacists in community-based actions, for communication and reduction of health risks, and emergency preparedness and response.


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