The Path Forward: Action, Advocacy, Awareness, Collaboration, Passion and Inspiration
Dec 21st, 2007 by Pat Daoust
Sarah and I have been back from Kenya for a few weeks now and have had time to reflect on our trip—our many site visits, the HERAF conference, meetings we had with colleagues and a special breakfast with medical/nursing students.
The lessons learned were many and the importance of our partnership with HERAF clear. PHR’s commitment to building an international movement of health professionals dedicated to the right to health for all remains strong and energized as a result of these experiences.
In one of the closing sessions of the conference, I had the privilege of reading a letter written by Paul Farmer (PDF), an HAA advisor. He applauded HERAF, and all those health professionals in attendance, for their commitment to health as a human right. He stated:
A lack of health infrastructure is no reason for inaction; rather, it is a clarion call to action! Let’s talk about food, about sutures, medications, electricity, water and other basic goods…we must link all of our projects to re-building health systems, poverty alleviation and food security to governments and global health policy.
His final statement was: “So, let’s get going!”
In keeping with this message HERAF acknowledged that it has significant work to do in 2008—and the momentum and energy to make it happen. At the end of the conference, HERAF National Coordinator Miano Munene outlined several education and advocacy campaigns which HERAF will move forward over the next year. These include:
- Continuing to build a movement of health workers from across Kenya who are mobilized to advocate for health rights
- Raising awareness of health rights through education, outreach and media engagement
- Advocating for increased and effective health sector financing and improved civil society participation in the budget making process
- Addressing stigma in health settings through education and training as well as through policy promotion, especially around the HIV/AIDS Act of 2006
- Advocating for a strong national health workforce policy in Kenya to ensure quality, equitable health care delivery for all
- Supporting polices and programs that address women and girls unique vulnerability to HIV/AIDAS, and the human rights violations that fuel this vulnerability
These plans may seem ambitious, and they are. But we think HERAF and PHR can do it. We invite you all to join us on this continuing journey—keep checking the PHR Health Action AIDS page for updates, ideas and opportunities for collaboration, and please contact us if you have ideas or thoughts moving forward.
Together, we can change the health rights outcomes for millions and make the world a more equitable, healthy, prosperous place.