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PHA3-Regional Statement- East and Southern Africa

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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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