Comments for Karen Grepin's Global Health Blog

Comment on The nicest houses in town by April Harding

April Harding — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:56:21 +0000

I know what you mean Karen. I often feel…somewhat envious of people who feel drawn to, and take satisfaction from, humanitarian action – such as those of PiH. On one level, efforts such as this are admirable; they certainly achieve real benefits. But like you, when I observe them, I am never fully successful in drowning out the voices of the little demons in my head chanting “sustainability” “cost effectiveness” “trade-offs” and the like.

Comment on The nicest houses in town by Lucy Stevens

Lucy Stevens — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:26:14 +0000

And I note that these houses have electricity – which implies that the hospital has electricity. Our new research and publication shows just how important energy access (both electricity and cooking / heating fuels) is for delivering adequate standards of health care. It matters both for the health services that can be offered, and for the ability to retain qualified staff (as you are pointing out with this housing). Take a look at http://practicalaction.org/ppeo2013. Just launched today!
Thanks, Lucy

Comment on Beyond Index in Beijing by eusebio manuel vestias pecurto

eusebio manuel vestias pecurto — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:04:26 +0000

As cidades da China devem desenvolver projectos de sustetabilidade ambiental dentro das suas cidades para que possam ter uma saude publica sustentável

Comment on Unleashing one villain while trying to capture another by Obi

Obi — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 03:49:07 +0000

That’s quite disappointing. That the lives of innocent people are in danger because of failure to fully consider the potential adverse effects of a plan.

Comment on ♫ Are we bringing HSSexyBack? ♫ by April Harding

April Harding — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:47:53 +0000

Interesting analysis. And thanks for the “heads up”.
While I agree with Jeremy S and his co-author that, at the global level, a trend towards growing attention and support for HSS has taken place, it’s important not to mistake this as representing what is happening on the ground.
On the ground, I don’t think HSS activities have really grown. Rather, as Grace Chee and her co-authors pointed out in their paper “Why differentiating between health system support and health system strengthening is needed” (2012), many activities currently undertaken and labeled as HSS are actually merely supporting the system, but do little to strengthen it.
They make a strong case that most of the increased attention manifests itself in assistance which alleviates input constraints to service delivery – rather than on “more comprehensive changes to performance drivers such as policies and regulations, organizational structures, and relationships across the health system to motivate changes in behavior and/or allow more effective use of resources to improve multiple health services.” I think they have nailed what is happening.
The trend Jeremy and his co-author are explaining is more one of wording and presentation than substance.I think what has undermined the shift to actual HSS support is that it would require real changes in time horizons (e.g. longer) and goals. That is, donor agencies wouldn’t be able to track their aid dollar to a bednet, an HIV/AIDS patient treated and the like, nor claim to have have contributed to whatever reduction happened in a particular disease incidence/ prevalence.
But hey, that is just speculation. Since the change didn’t happen!

Here is a link to Chee et al http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hpm.2122

Comment on Unleashing one villain while trying to capture another by Joseph

Joseph — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 01:38:36 +0000

Great post. It’s about time people spoke up about this.

But why is James Curran cc’ed in this letter? Shame treatment for not joining the Deans’ Crew?

Comment on Best readings in global health by Top 25 Public Health Blogs of 2012

Top 25 Public Health Blogs of 2012 — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:15:42 +0000

[...] to start: The Best Readings in Global Health is an overview of books the author recommends and a great place to begin learning about global [...]

Comment on A mangled mess by Obi

Obi — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 03:01:08 +0000

I think access is perhaps a bigger issue than availability of such services in many countries. There are still many places where the patient has to pay a fee (a lot of the time more than they can afford) before services, and this has led to many deaths among those who have sought such care. So in such places, some people give up before even attempting to seek such care. Surgical services (both equipment and staff) are available in many places, but the poor often are unable to access them due to cost (actual cost and transportation at times).

Comment on Pinterest and Global Health by Tonny

Tonny — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 07:53:05 +0000

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Comment on Pinterest and Global Health by Marlawilson

Marlawilson — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:09:03 +0000

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