============================
Why
you should get involved:
============================
The
Global Health Watch is a non-government initiative aimed at supporting civil
society to more effectively campaign and lobby for 'health for all' and
equitable access to health care. This is not a matter of finding a technical or
economic prescription, but is one that requires political mobilisation to shift
resources and attention towards the needs of the poor, and to reform the very
political and social institutions that have generated the state of ill health
today. The Global Health Watch provides a platform for academics, activists and
non-government organisations to:
*
Promote the accountability of governments and global institutions that affect
health (such as the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the World Bank)
*
Identify policies and practices at the global and national levels that are
unfair, unjust and bad for health
*
Highlight the needs of the poor and reinvigorate the principle of 'health for
all'
*
Shift the health policy agenda to recognise the political, social and economic
barriers to better health and to advocate alternatives to market-driven
approaches to health and health care
*
But the Watch aims to do more than just produce another document - it also aims
to provide a voice for health workers and the academic and non-government
community from as many countries as possible.
=============================
How
can you voice your views:
=============================
The
Global Health Watch is putting out a call for the submission of local country or
region-specific case studies and testimonies. These case studies and testimonies
will form part of the electronic accompaniment to the development of the Watch
and in some cases may also appear in the electronic or print edition of GHW
2007-2008, due to be launched in early 2008. The case studies will amplify and
give a more personal voice to the contents of the Watch. They will also make the
issues more accessible and meaningful to readers who may be able to see their
own experiences reflected in the experiences of others.
==============
Some
examples:
==============
*
Positive and negative examples of policies and actions to secure improved and
equitable access to health care.
*
Examples of interventions to address public sector corruption and inefficiency.
*
Examples of effective, efficient and inclusive public health care systems.
*
Evidence showing the negative effects of commercialised health care on
professional ethics and access to health care.
*
Case studies on what is driving good and bad processes of decentralisation, with
some analysis illustrative case studies of where deconcentration, devolution
and delegation have worked, where it hasn't worked and why.
*
The effects of good and bad practices of bilateral and multi-lateral donors on
public health stewardship and on the performance of health care systems.
*
Examples of civil society resistance to the effect of privatised public services
including health, education and water and electricity utilities on equitable and
fair access.
*
Stories and case studies of the positive and negative impact of multi-national
corporations on health policy.
*
Stories and case studies of the difficulty that country governments have in
responding to the needs and demands of multiple international agencies
(creditors such as the World Bank, traditional bilateral donors, relatively new
institutions such as GAVI and the Global Fund, international NGOs).
==================================
Guidelines/criteria
for selection:
==================================
*
We are looking for short and concise submissions of 500 - 2000 words. These can
either be stories (personal story or reflections written in your own words) or
case studies (synthesis of experiences which may include direct quotes
illustrating an issue or a number of issues)
*
They should be relevant for people's health, and reflect a personal or group
experience
*
They should cover issues broadly falling within the framework of the GHW themes
*
Statistical information should not be used except in support of case
studies/testimony and in which case it should be kept to a minimum
*
Should be written in clear English - please avoid academic and scientific
jargon. The testimonies need to be accessible and readable (remember that
English is not the first language of many readers of the watch)
*
If possible they should have a narrative / story telling character
=================
Please
indicate:
=================
*
your organisation (if you are part of one)
*
your locality/country/region
*
whether you want your submission to be anonymous and why
The
publication will be freely downloadable from the net so effectively there will
be no copyright. Please inform us if your story or case study has been submitted
/ published elsewhere. Also please make sure that there are no personal details
that anyone would not want made public names and place names can be changed.
The
editorial collective of the GHW will consider submitted stories and case studies
for inclusion on the website or within the electronic and/or print edition of
GHW2 (with a specific focus on human interest stories). The GHW editorial
reserves the right to edit all submissions. Not all stories and case studies
will be accepted for a variety of reasons including space and consistency.
===========================================
Please
send submissions to: ghw@hst.org.za
===========================================
Case
studies and stories posted on the website will have
the following disclaimer:
"The
views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editors of the GHW.
While we make every effort to ensure that all facts and figures quoted by
authors are accurate, the GHW and the editors of GHW cannot be held responsible
for any inaccuracies. Please contact ghw@hst.org.za
if you
believe that errors are contained in any case study or testimony."
Printer-friendly version