Tony Senanayake’s Post

🇦🇺 Learning from Australia: The important impact of #CivilSociety #Advocacy to address growing #HealthInequities. “NGOs can play a critical role in shaping and influencing governance processes including public policy relating to the social and commercial determinants of health inequities.” #SDoH #CDoH Insightful new paper by Connie Musolino, Toby Freeman, Joanne Flavel and Fran Baum in Health Promotion International edited by Samantha Thomas https://lnkd.in/eq-aww_t

I recently attended a powerful session organized by Pharma Incubation Hub titled "Health Advocacy: A Key Driver for Universal Health Coverage," led by Pharm Israel Oni. The insights shared were truly enlightening. Health advocacy plays a critical role in promoting and protecting the right to health for individuals and communities. It's essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage—ensuring everyone has access to healthcare, regardless of their social status, without financial hardship. We discussed examples like South Africa's advocacy for free antiretroviral drugs to combat HIV and Rwanda's community-based healthcare practices that drastically reduced malaria cases. As pharmacists, we are often the first hub of information for patients. However, effective health advocacy requires sustained effort, collaboration, and dedication. To succeed: - Educate yourself about key issues. - Get involved in policy discussions and attend health-related conferences. - Collaborate with health organizations. - Leverage the power of social media to amplify your voice. While obstacles like resistance to change exist, it's essential to communicate in a way that is understandable and relatable. Focus on building trust by letting patients know you're here for their health, not just financial gain. Trust builds referrals and long-term impact. Patient health should always come first. Advocacy, policy change, and collaboration are all about empowering the people because the people hold the power. #HealthAdvocacy #Pharmacy #UniversalHealthCoverage #PatientFirst #Healthcare

We are often asked what is advocacy in health ? We thought it would be useful to publish a series of posts on this very topic over the next week or so. At Migraine Ireland we don’t pretend to know all about it, but we have been at it for a while 😊 Advocacy in health and care is a fundamental practice aimed at ensuring that individuals and communities have access to the health services they need and are empowered to make informed decisions about their care. Health and care advocacy is the act of supporting or representing individuals or groups to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are upheld, and they receive appropriate health care. It involves promoting access to services, reducing health disparities, and helping people navigate complex health systems. Yours in advocacy

Really enjoyed the #WAAW World Health Organization task force of AMR survivors webinar yesterday chaired by Vanessa Carter Highlighting the importance of patient advocacy groups in AMR. My key takeaway messages were we need to all use the same terminology to make AMR understandable and relatable. We need to move away from AMR being just a “bug & drug” issue and focus on the people who it affects. We need to support patients to express their views so that they can be heard

🌍 The Urgent Need for Public Health Advocacy in Africa and Beyond Public health advocacy is not just an option; it's a necessity for the well-being of communities in Africa and across the globe. As we navigate the challenges of our ever-changing world, from pandemics to rising health disparities, the role of public health in safeguarding our future has never been more critical. 1. Access to Quality Healthcare: Millions of people across Africa still face barriers to accessing basic healthcare services. The lack of infrastructure, limited resources, and inadequate healthcare systems mean that preventable diseases continue to claim countless lives. Public health advocacy is essential to push for policies that expand access to quality healthcare, ensuring that no one is left behind. 2. Disease Prevention and Control: Recent outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19 have shown us how interconnected our world is. These crises have also revealed the weaknesses in our healthcare systems. By investing in public health initiatives such as vaccination campaigns, health education, and sanitation programs, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect entire communities. 3. Addressing Health Inequalities: Health disparities remain a significant issue, especially for marginalized groups. Advocacy efforts can shine a light on these inequalities and work towards creating policies that provide equal access to healthcare, regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, or location. 4. Promoting Mental Health Awareness: Mental health often takes a backseat in conversations about health, yet it’s a vital aspect of our well-being. In Africa, the stigma around mental health issues often prevents individuals from seeking help. Public health advocacy can challenge these stigmas, promote awareness, and push for the integration of mental health services into primary care. 5. Collaboration for a Healthier Future: Public health is not the responsibility of a single individual, organization, or government. It requires a collaborative approach, involving policymakers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals like you and me. By advocating for public health, we can create partnerships that drive change on a local, national, and global scale. It’s time for us all to become advocates for public health. Whether it’s by raising awareness, supporting healthcare policies, or simply educating ourselves and others, every effort counts. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient world. #PublicHealthAdvocacy #AfricaHealth #GlobalHealth #HealthcareEquity #DiseasePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthForAll

Patient advocacy goes well beyond logistical activities. Solace Advocates are MDs, RNs, CHWs, and plan/system administrators that shepherd patients through their care journey, providing the right experts and support at the right time. #healthcare #medicare #patientadvocacy

Be an advocate for change they say..... Challenges in Health Advocacy, where do I start ? Well speaking to various colleagues across the world they are not unique to Ireland I must say however for such a small country we are making things really complicated on several topics. A few issues springs to mind when it comes to services access, geographical unbalance, financial discrimination due to private/public health cover or even an outdated and insular approach to neurology when we talk about systemic innovation or implementation.   Are we really equipped to take on the battle and make a difference. From an intent perspective I think we are but we also need to be conscious of our own limitations ?   ----  Navigating Complex Health Systems Health systems can be complicated and difficult to navigate, especially for vulnerable populations. Advocates need comprehensive knowledge and strong networking skills. Power Dynamics The relationship between patients, health professionals, and institutions can involve significant power imbalances, making it challenging for advocates to represent the patient’s voice effectively. Limited Resources Advocacy efforts are often constrained by a lack of funding, staffing, and time, which can limit the ability to reach and support all those in need. Legal and Ethical Considerations Balancing the patient’s wishes with legal requirements, confidentiality, and ethical obligations can be complex. Migraine Ireland

Be an advocate for change they say..... Challenges in Health Advocacy, where do I start ? Well speaking to various colleagues across the world they are not unique to Ireland we must say however for such a small country we are making things really complicated on several topics. A few issues springs to mind when it comes to services access, geographical unbalance, financial discrimination due to private/public health cover or even an outdated and insular approach to neurology when we talk about systemic innovation or implementation. Are we really equipped to take on the battle and make a difference. From an intent perspective we think we are but we also need to be conscious of our own limitations ? ---- Navigating Complex Health Systems Health systems can be complicated and difficult to navigate, especially for vulnerable populations. Advocates need comprehensive knowledge and strong networking skills. Power Dynamics The relationship between patients, health professionals, and institutions can involve significant power imbalances, making it challenging for advocates to represent the patient’s voice effectively. Limited Resources Advocacy efforts are often constrained by a lack of funding, staffing, and time, which can limit the ability to reach and support all those in need. Legal and Ethical Considerations Balancing the patient’s wishes with legal requirements, confidentiality, and ethical obligations can be complex.

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸! Last week was a whirlwind of advocacy and collaboration in the healthcare community of Lagos! Here are some key lessons I've gleaned:   1️⃣ 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀! Engaging with the esteemed Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Private Medicare Practitioners (ANPMP) in Lagos was an enlightening experience. Building bridges and fostering relationships within the medical community is essential for driving positive change.   2️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀! Meeting with the esteemed Chairman of the Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners (AGPNP) in Lagos emphasized the importance of teamwork in advancing healthcare initiatives. By working hand in hand with nurses, we can achieve better outcomes for sexual and reproductive health interventions and promote a culture of wellness in communities.   3️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆! Identifying and selecting private health facilities for upcoming demand generation activities in the coming weeks underscored the significance of meticulous planning. By carefully assessing each facility's needs and capabilities, we can tailor our efforts for maximum impact.   In summary, this week has reinforced the value of advocacy, collaboration, and preparation in driving meaningful change within the healthcare landscape. I'm excited to continue this journey of innovation and impact!   Did you learn something in the previous week? I’m excited to learn from you too so do share in the comments and remember to repost this for others to learn from us as well. 𝗠𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗮 𝗘𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. #tgif #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #developmentdinma #lifelonglearning #growth  #HealthcareAdvocacy #Collaboration #ImpactfulInitiatives #development #LagosHealthcare #socialintervention #publichealth #reproductivehealth #AYSRH #SRH

The 11th of June will be the third edition of #DINDay, the Dysimmune & Inflammatory Neuropathies* International Day promoted together with our network of national patient advocacy organisations. DIN Day is a web based campaign to spread knowledge and raise awareness on a patient community living with #rarediseases that are still a little known. We have collected some short videos in which #DINpeople share their wishes to the #DINcommunity across Europe because we think that each person living with DINs brings truly unique and inspiring perspectives to the public discours. Listen to #DINdaywish and share yours with your network. Know more about DIN Day and get involved at https://dinday.org/ DIN Day is a shared initiative of Association Française contre les Neuropathies Périphériques | Deutsche GBS CIDP Selbsthilfe | GBS CIDP España | Asociatia Romana pentru Boli Neurologice Periferice | CIDP Italia Aps | Guillain-Barre & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies #WeAreDIN #dysimmuneinflammatoryneuropathiesday #GBS #CIDP #MMN #LSS #MFS #patientadvocacy #livingwithDIN #finDINghope #finDINgstrenght #humangeneratedcontent #HGC #reallife #realpeople * 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯-𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳é 𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺, 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘺, 𝘓𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘴-𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘈𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘔𝘈𝘎, 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳-𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘺𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘦 ...