Optimal access to health care for all
The EQUITABLE consortium will focus on obtaining better data to improve health policies and access to health care in African countries and disabled people in particular. This consortium has members from two European and four African countries with the requisite expertise. EQUITABLE will work on identifying gaps in knowledge to develop evidence-based policies and health care practices and to identify barriers and facilitating factors for implementation. The four African countries — Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, and Sudan — were used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data for analysis of health services for the disabled. This data was collected through extensive surveys and analysis of 51 policies for 12 vulnerable groups with over 32 000 people across 17 sites in Africa. As a result, researchers successfully created EquiFrame, a new policy analysis framework, and highlighted strengths and shortcomings in current policies in a country-specific manner. EquiFrame helped provide guidelines for the development of the first health policy in Malawi and will also serve as a guideline for future health policies in Sudan. Besides this, it can be used by other countries to evaluate their health policies, and countries like Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom have already done so. Over 10 papers have been published using EquiFrame, and the results of the comprehensive extensive ethnographic surveys will shortly be published. The EquiFrame Manual is also available for free download online. Project outcomes have resulted in the collection of critical empirical data that will enable the development of evidence-based health policies and health care practices. For instance, proper protocols will prevent the development of multiple drug resistance through a ban on indiscriminate use of antibiotics in health systems. Ultimately, all people, including the disabled in resource-poor areas, should have access to good health care services and information to promote health.
Keywords
Health policies, empirical data, EquiFrame, vulnerable groups, evidence-based, framework
