Chinyama, Mathews Junior and MacLachlan, Malcolm and McVeigh, Joanne and Huss, Tessy and Gawamadzi, Sylvester
(2018)
An Analysis of the Extent of Social Inclusion and Equity Consideration in Malawi’s National HIV and AIDS Policy Review Process.
International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7 (4).
pp. 297-307.
ISSN 2322-5939
Abstract
Background
Equity and social inclusion for vulnerable groups in policy development processes and resulting documents remain a challenge globally. Most often, the marginalization of vulnerable groups is overlooked in both the planning and practice of health service delivery. Such marginalization may occur because authorities deem the targeting of those who already have better access to healthcare a cheaper and easier way to achieve short-term health gains. The Government of Malawi wishes to achieve an equitable and inclusive HIV and AIDS Policy. The aim of this study is to assess the extent to which the Malawi Policy review process addressed regional and international health priorities of equity and social inclusion for vulnerable groups in the policy content and policy revision process.
Methods
This research design comprised two phases. First, the content of the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy was assessed using EquiFrame regarding its coverage of 21 Core Concepts of human rights and inclusion of 12 Vulnerable Groups. Second, the engagement of vulnerable groups in the policy process was assessed using the EquIPP matrix. For the latter, 10 interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of representatives of public sector, civil society organizations and development partners who participated in the policy revision process. Data was also collected from documented information of the policy processes.
Results
Our analyses indicated that the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy had a relatively high coverage of Core Concepts of human rights and Vulnerable Groups; although with some notable omissions. The analyses also found that reasonable
steps were taken to engage and promote participation of vulnerable groups in the planning, development,implementation,
monitoring and evaluation processes of the HIV and AIDS Policy, although again, with some notable exceptions. This is the first study to use both EquiFrame and EquIPP as complimentary tools to assess the content and process of policy.
Conclusion
While the findings indicate inclusive processes, commitment to Core Concepts of human rights and inclusion of Vulnerable Groups in relation to the Malawi HIV and AIDS Policy, the results also point to areas in which social inclusion and equity could be further strengthened.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
EquiFrame; EquIPP; Equity; Social Inclusion; Vulnerable Groups; Human Rights Core Concepts; Health Policy Analysis; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
11630 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2017.87 |
| Depositing User: |
Malcolm MacLachlan
|
| Date Deposited: |
11 Nov 2019 14:39 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
International Journal of Health Policy and Management |
| Publisher: |
Kerman University of Medical Sciences |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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