SWAZILAND
The problem of diarrhoea in Swaziland, especially among children, and the inadequate sanitary facilities and resources in informal settlements. It emphasizes the importance of safe drinking water and argues for a change in current policies to improve sanitation. Key recommendations for action and approaches to intersectoral arguments are provided along with evidence and strategies for communicating with policymakers.
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Presentation Transcript
Problem description and its importance Diarrhoea is the leading cause of death in Swaziland especially amongst the under five year olds, and mostly results from contaminated food and water sources There is population growth in informal settlements around the town and yet there is inadequate sanitary facilities and other resources Safe drinking water is a basic necessity for good health. Unsafe drinking water can be a significant carrier of diarrhoea Drinking water can also be tainted with chemical, physical and radiological contaminants with harmful effects on human health Trade and tourism are adversely affected to inadequate sanitary facilities including unsafe water
Why the policy brief argues for the current approach/policy to be changed The move into the urban area causes a great strain to urban resources and infrastructure ,this leads to health problems The economic benefits of improved sanitation include: lower health system costs, fewer days lost at work /school through illness or through caring for an ill relative and convenience time savings
Key recommendations for action Ward councillors are supposed to take steps to: Improve the health of the community as a matter of human rights and justice Ensure the social and economic vitality of their city Municipality, communities and other stakeholders should engage in inter-sectoral, policy-relevant activities that respond to social ills of the city
Approaches to intersectoral arguments and the use of economic evidence Health-to-other-sectors argument-it highlights the importance of the involvement of other sectors as it states that urban resources are overburdened , so it calls for a joint effort with other sectors to improve urban health in Manzini City
Evidence and general strategies used to communicate / translate the evidence to policy-makers At the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital about 200 children were attended to in a space of three days due to diarrhoea in 2014 There were about 100 adults who were admitted within 3 days at the same hospital A total of 36 children died in a space of three months due to diarrhoea in the year 2014
Strengths and weaknesses of the policy brief overall It is very clear as it can be easily understood by anybody, especially politicians A clear description of the problem addressed has been explained It stresses concisely on why the current approach/policy option needs to be changed Recommendations for action are also included Length is quite good It cites the importance of addressing the causes of health inequity
The final decision taken in the national context regarding problem issue raised The use of the: Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART) which is a guide for policy and decision makers at national and local levels to: Identify and analyse inequities in health between people living in various parts of cities or belonging to different socioeconomic groups within and across cities Facilitate decisions on viable and effective strategies, interventions and actions that should be used to reduce inter- and intra-city inequities
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