We’re just a month away from World Health Day (April 7th) and the official launch of advocacy for the Global HEALTH Act of 2010. So far this month, through this blog you’ve learned about the Global HEALTH Act and gotten some great facts about the health workforce crisis (and how many people are waiting in line for an I-Pad — impressive!). Today’s post includes a few more resources that highlight the impact of Africa’s health workforce shortage. Check them out and share with colleagues.
PHR made the following video in collaboration with our Kenyan partner group, the Health Rights Advocacy Forum. In this 6-minute video, four health workers at Mbagathi Hospital talk about the challenges they face every day — and why they stay and practice medicine in their home country. This moving video can be shown on campus or at your workplace to stimulate discussion and urge people to take action.
For more personal stories, check out Africa’s Health Care Worker Crisis: Views from the Ground, a PowerPoint presentation that outlines six main drivers of the health workforce crisis in Africa and explores these challenges through the eyes of four Ugandan medical student leaders. Feel free to use this to make a presentation on campus or in your community, or use facts from it to drive home the need for action.
And watch our slideshows of Dr. Fred Katumba and Clinical Officer Jane Byarugaba following them through a typical day as they provide health care to the rural poor in Southwestern Uganda. Dr. Katumba’s work has propelled Lyantonde District to #2 out of more than 90 districts in terms of health outcomes — a phenomenal accomplishment and testament to Dr. Katumba, his staff, and the millions of hard-working health professionals who help communities realize the right to health every day.
On behalf of PHR’s National Student Advisory Board, I’d like to welcome all of you to the launch of the 2009-2010 Student Program. I’m confident that you will find the National Student Program to be a home for your passion for health and human rights! As a member of the Student Program, you benefit from having a program and peer-network dedicated solely to helping you grow and contribute as an advocate, along with the expertise of PHR’s network of internationally recognized health and human rights leaders.
As health professional students, we are uniquely poised to advocate for patients both domestically and abroad. Together we can bring our collective passion, knowledge and expertise to our classrooms, our clinics and our Congress. Having been involved with PHR for over six years, as a staff member and now as a medical student at Loyola, I can unequivocally say that this will be our most important year yet. At this moment, we have an opportunity to profoundly shape the way our present and future generations think about health and human rights. We have a phenomenal year planned, filled with opportunities to strengthen and expand your role as health and human rights advocates, as well as connect with mentors and peers all across the country.
As the academic year gets underway, the Advisory Board recommends these three simple ways to start this year strongly:
Get to know your fellow chapter members, both as individuals and as advocates. Many chapters are holding informal potlucks to get to know one another, discuss their goals as a chapter and develop action plans for the year.
Sign up for your upcoming Regional Advocacy Institute. These institutes can better your understanding of some of PHR’s priority issues, further develop your advocacy skills and foster collaboration between chapters in your region.
Finally, the Student Advisory Board members, Training Coordinators, Chapter Mentors, and, of course, Danielle, are always here to help! Don’t forget to keep in touch with us so we can offer advice and assistance for all that you are doing. Email Danielle to contact me or any of the other volunteer leaders. We are excited to support all your ideas, your creativity and your commitment to advancing health and human rights!
