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Any approach to a health system that assumes that the ones for whom the solution is being drafted, are unable to think and decide for themselves, ALWAYS fails!
I have seen very paternalistic attitudes here in the TL.
I have seen very paternalistic attitudes here in the TL.
At Health and Society, one of the first courses in medical school- we learnt that solutions that succeed are ones where the community for which they are designed, participate in design and implementation.
For too long Health solutions have been imposed upon African societies.
For too long Health solutions have been imposed upon African societies.
These attitudes have in fact met serious opposition and high non compliance.
Africans have their way of understanding disease and any solution to assist, needs to make sense.
We are also thinkers and we are not children who must be decided for.
Africans have their way of understanding disease and any solution to assist, needs to make sense.
We are also thinkers and we are not children who must be decided for.
There are indeed times of emergency such as we face with #Covid19inSA and with community education and leadership but in is far easier.
As a neurosurgeon often seeking consent for complex and potential harmful interventions, I have learnt to maneuver these complexities.
As a neurosurgeon often seeking consent for complex and potential harmful interventions, I have learnt to maneuver these complexities.
Proudly I say- I hardly ever not get consent. At times my patients want to consult a traditional healer whom they have long standing rapport and trust relationship. I do not scoff at or frown upon this request.
I learnt early on in life that the truth can stand for itself.
I learnt early on in life that the truth can stand for itself.
That way my patients also view me as a part of the team that cares for them.
So please stop ridiculing people for believing that COVID came in this or that way. Rather seek to understand where they come from and engage them respectfully.
So please stop ridiculing people for believing that COVID came in this or that way. Rather seek to understand where they come from and engage them respectfully.
That way we will win the skeptics and the interventions will be far more effective.
Remember that about 70% of our patients have consulted traditional healers before they come to us. And if you respect that about who we are as people- the rest will be a walk in the park.
Remember that about 70% of our patients have consulted traditional healers before they come to us. And if you respect that about who we are as people- the rest will be a walk in the park.
And stop portraying Africans as generally anti-vaxers.
Engage us with respect that we are equal and can interrogate issues. If you fail to answer a simple question- of why in Africa and not Italy without being emotional- then acknowledge you are out of your depth.
Engage us with respect that we are equal and can interrogate issues. If you fail to answer a simple question- of why in Africa and not Italy without being emotional- then acknowledge you are out of your depth.
