REGIONAL STATEMENT – EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
PEOPLE’S HEALTH ASSEMBLY 3
CAPE TOWN
11 JULY 2012
For us the country circle is fundamental. Our starting point
would be to identify International People’s Health University (IPHU) alumni in
the country; these need to identify an issue and seek local allies who identify
with or are working on the issue, begin to develop a campaign and then ask the
region for support including connecting them with expertise globally.
We have established four working country circles that have
lessons we can learn from. We need to develop the embryonic circles in the region
through outreach support from the regional level. This can be done by
developing a manual based on the lessons from countries (case studies from South
Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana Kenya, as well as experiences from other regions)
consisting of principles such as:
- We need a rallying point or
issue that is centred around the right to health (RTH) and this can take
different forms in different countries. For example the National Health
Insurance in South Africa or Cholera in Ghana.
- A cross-cutting issue
which brings us together and helps us form regional alliances.
- Involvement in on-going
national and regional processes within the region i.e. Regional Network of
Equity of Health in east and southern Africa (EQUINET), Social Forum, Southern
and East Africa Parliamentary Committees of Health (SEAPACOH)
- Linking and Learning
between established and upcoming country circles
- Utilising a regional
mailing list for networking and supporting emerging circles
- Tapping into existing
networks that share PHM values and principles
- A regional committee that
coordinates regional processes
We would like the Global Steering Council to develop a
global project proposal that can support the regional office with travel money
and resources to strengthen country circles, as well as to undertake the
development of a guide or manual to support country development.
“At least by this time
next year we would want 3 functional country circles to be developed”
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