By: Gerald Acho and Huguette Kazeneza of HIPSIR
The CIHA Blog is dedicated to bringing to the fore public debates and scholarship from different parts of Africa that are important for humanitarian work. The Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR)—CIHA Blog’s institutional partner in Kenya—is a preeminent forum for generating ideas and debate about peace-building and humanitarianism in all of its aspects. Today’s post highlights some of the key works presented at a recent three-day symposium event hosted by HIPSIR and the Jesuit School of Theology organized entitled: “The Bronze Serpent: Health, Faith and Human Dignity.” The forum highlighted the interconnected nature of human health, faith and dignity and echoed many of the themes that were also discussed at the CIHA Blog conference in Senegal late last year. In what follows, we summarize some of the many perspectives that were presented. In the coming weeks, we will be posting more from our own conference that will also go into these issues in more depth.
Health Care and Social Justice
Michael Ochieng’ Otieno S.J. presented on the epidemiology and prevention of cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rev. Ochieng traced the historical development of various cancer cells and emphasized that the rate at which the mortality rate of cancer is increasing in developing countries due to ignorance, poverty inadequate diagnostic and treatment facilities. Rev. Ochieng highlighted that breast cancer accounts for the highest number of deaths resulting from cancer; by 2030, it is estimated that cases of cancer would have increased by 85%. Rev. Ochieng concluded his presentation by suggesting some strategies to improve access to cancer services including comprehensive health insurance schemes, partnerships between government and pharmaceutical industries to come up with affordable medications, collaboration north-south clinical trials to answer locally directed questions in cancer pathways and replacement of problematic clinical trials in industrialized countries by well-designed and well-funded trials in Africa.
Alfred E.W. Davies, Project Coordinator of the Kenya Mission in Daadab for Médecins Sans Frontières looked at the social aspect of the healthcare system especially in Africa, where such services are often only accessible by those who have the financial capacity to do so. He looked at the various health inequalities that discriminate against the poor and marginalized groups and questioned the status quo that continues to feed this inequality. Mr. Davies argued that the concept of social justice, as construed within democratic societies, is the idea that civil society is established by a social contract that spells out the benefits, rights, and obligations of societal membership. He advocated for a “provincial global approach” to healthcare where human flourishing becomes the fundamental goal and approach taken by healthcare providers. Provincial globalism suggests that access to health care is to be for everyone, not just for the rich. Everyone has a right to health care even if they are not able to support themselves. The Affordable Care Act passed during Obama’s tenure could be one model. South Africa has the patients’ bill of rights in which all are supposed to have access to medical treatment. No one may be refused emergency medical treatment. Mr. Davies closed by re-asserting that healthcare should not be based on one’s financial status, but on the health needs of the vulnerable, dependent, and interdependent persons.
Health, Faith and Cultures
Dr. Alex Wainaina, S.J. presented on “The Undeniable Influence of Faith and Culture on Healthcare,” looking at the influence of faith and culture on the Kenyan healthcare system and how these affect the general wellbeing of the individual. He traced the human journey of wellness both in the Scriptures, where faith has influenced how people have approached various health conditions and how these conditions have been interpreted. He asserted that faith should be understood from both its positive and/or negative influences in shaping various healthcare practices. For instance, when faith is negatively influenced, it can lead to the spiritualization of illnesses and can become a hindrance to an individual’s healing process. Analyzing some cultural practices that are associated with healthcare and spirituality, Dr. Wainaina brought to the fore some of the conflicts that exist between an individual’s cultural practices and medical healthcare services. According to him, people often interpret their wellness or sickness based on their spiritual conviction, cultural or tradition. Dr. Wainaina helped to bring attention to how faith and culture can affect a patient’s search for wellness and medical care.
Health Care and Technology
Dr. Maina Mwea, from Nairobi Herbal Clinic presented on “The Role of Herbal Medicine in Modern Healthcare.” Dr. Mwea began by clarifying the common misunderstanding that herbal medicine has no beneficial role in modern healthcare. He explained the various branches of healthcare giving that are categorized under herbal medicine such as diviners, circumcisers and brain surgeons, ear piercers, bone setters, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), spiritualists, seers and palmists, and emphasized the fact that traditional herbal medicine, that is, making use of plants and roots to provide herbal remedies to various health conditions, is as old as the human race. Dr. Mwea asserted that for any herbal practitioner to be efficacious, he or she should be knowledgeable in human anatomy and plant anatomy with a working knowledge of pathology and differential diagnosis. This assertion debunks an assumption that herbal medicine is only based on experience. Despite the challenges faced by practitioners of herbal medicine, Dr. Mwea called on his audience to turn to traditional herbal medicines since herbs can be very efficacious in treating many diseases. He concluded by saying that herbal medicine has contributed and continues to contribute to the general human healthcare and should not be considered as only an “alternative medicine.”
Each of these presentations brings to the fore extremely important insights regarding the interconnection among health, healing, religion and social justice in Africa. In particular, we note the necessity of the following: a) privileging herbal medicine and practices as long-term, efficacious and religiously meaningful forms of healing; b) understanding the relationship between spiritual practices and well-being in general, and c) closely examining the structural impediments to healthcare, including those that have enabled the rise of non-communicable diseases.