PS02 - Access to Safe Health CareSeptember 3, 2006Type/Items(s): Track I Access to Health Systems The reality in many African countries is that patients may risk violence in hospitals, outdated x-ray machines, questionable hygienic standards. Image: Viola Krebs, ICVolunteers.org The speakers stressed the importance of concentrating on system failures rather than individual mistakes and errors. This involves the setting of standards and the development of systematic improvement programs that are complemented with constant performance monitoring. The experience of other high-risk industries such as the aviation industry highlights the importance of sustained action over the long term. The symposium also dwelt on the importance of involving consumers in the reduction of patient hazards. More... Solving the Health Equation: Improving Public and Private Contributions to Bridge the Gap Between Rich and Poor CountriesSeptember 3, 2006Type/Items(s): Financing Health Systems, Public Private Partnerships A local Indian public health care practitioner administering an oral polio vaccine dosage to a child in an outside setting, in one of the country's many villages. Image courtesy of The Public Health Image Library (PHIL) http://phil.cdc.gov/Phil/, Chris Zahniser. One of the major talking points of this conference is that funds and programmes aimed at those most in need are not reaching their intended target. There is widespread agreement that urgent action is needed to improve access to health for billions of poor people in developing countries. Despite vast investment, largely on the part of governments and international bodies but also by donors and companies seeking to honour a commitment to corporate social responsibility, it is widely acknowledged that precious few inroads are being made. More... Interview with Mary Robinson"Access for all is the concern of all"September 3, 2006Type/Items(s): Equity in Access to Health "With the human rights as a framework... the objective of 'access to health for all' will certainly have made some progress through the conference." Image: Viola Krebs, ICVolunteers.org Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and more recently United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002) shared with the conference team some of the main challenges at hand when it comes to access to health for all: accountability, financing, the brain drain and the responsibility of those who have the means to make a difference, such as the private sector. She pointed out that the high turnout at the Forum was an indicator of the need for it and the urgency of discussing access to health. Access for all is the concern of all. More... SY22 - Access to Victims in Natural & Humanitarian CrisesSeptember 2, 2006Type/Items(s): Track IV Civil Society and Social Issues in Health, Humanitarian Crises and Health Indonesia, Banda Aceh. ICRC supported Indonesian Red Cross volunteer searching for bodies of tsunami victims. Image: T. Gassmann In face of many recent humanitarian and natural crises in Lebanon, Ethiopia and other places, the topic of today's round table was centred on the issue of how to most effectively access the victims of these crises. Humanitarian relief agencies have to be able to react quickly to any kind of disaster and provide adequate assistance to the concerned governments, as well as evacuating the local population if need be. Unfortunately, as Mr. Angelo Gnaedinger from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Switzerland pointed out, there are limits to the operation of these aid agencies and they have failed in several cases, due to insecurity, and despite a constant optimisation process. More... Interview: Minister Salih Meky, Ministry of Health, EritreaSeptember 2, 2006Type/Items(s): Equity in Access to Health, Track I Access to Health Systems, Track II Health and Inequities, Track V Capacity Building and Partnerships, Financing Health Systems "All of us are in this". Image: Viola Krebs, ICVolunteers.org Mr. Salih Meky, Minister of Health of Eritrea, spoke with us about achievements and challenges in the field of health in his country and Africa more generally. In Eritrea, health care is free of charge. The country has managed to keep under control a number of infectious diseases, but faces the increasing challenge of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Hospital costs are a major issue. Minister Meky also questioned whether there was a simple solution to the brain drain, but urged that it needed to be addressed not just by the South, but also by the wealthy countries in the North. More... SY23 - Research Networks in PartnershipSeptember 2, 2006Type/Items(s): Track V Capacity Building and Partnerships Image: Jorge Garbino, ICVolunteers.org Research is the basis of developing sustainable health care to communities. However, research must be conducted ethically and persons participating in medical research, especially in clinical drug trials, must be protected. This means that the many actors who participate in international collaborative research must apply the highest ethical standards. Universities and health training institutions must provide leadership in ensuring that research is conducted in an ethical manner. More... |  |
