Core Concepts of Human Rights and Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups in the Namibian Policy on Orthopaedic Technical Services

Gert VanRooy; Elina Amadhila; Hasheem Mannan; Joanne McVeigh; Malcolm MacLachlan; Mutamad Amin

doi:10.5463/dcid.v23i3.132

Gert VanRooy ⁽¹⁾, Elina Amadhila ⁽²⁾, Hasheem Mannan ⁽³⁾, Joanne McVeigh ⁽⁴⁾, Malcolm MacLachlan ⁽⁵⁾, Mutamad Amin ⁽⁶⁾

(1) Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia, Namibia,

(2) Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia, Namibia,

(3) Project EquitAble, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland,

(4) Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland,

(5) Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, IE; Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University, South Africa,

(6) Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan

https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v23i3.132

Issue
Vol. 23 No. 3 (2012): Autumn

Submitted
September 14, 2020

Published
December 5, 2012

Keywords:

core concepts of human rights, equity, vulnerable groups, Namibian Orthopaedic Technical Services policy

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Abstract

Purpose: Despite a highly progressive legislation and clear governmental commitment, living conditions among persons with disabilities in Namibia are systematically lower than among persons without disabilities. This implies that persons with disabilities are denied equal opportunities to participate and contribute to society, and consequently are denied their human rights.

Methods: EquiFrame, an innovative policy analysis framework, was used to analyse Namibian Policy on Orthopaedic Technical Services. EquiFrame evaluates the degree of stated commitment of an existing health policy to 21 Core Concepts of human rights and to 12 Vulnerable Groups, guided by the ethos of universal, equitable and accessible health services.

Results: A number of Core Concepts of human rights and Vulnerable Groups were found to be absent in the Namibian Policy on Orthopaedic Technical Services, and its Overall Summary Ranking was assessed as Moderate.

Conclusion and Implications: The Namibian health sector faces significant challenges in addressing inequities with respect to its policy on Orthopaedic Technical Services. If policy content, or policy ‘on the books’, is not inclusive of vulnerable groups and observant of core concepts of human rights, then health practices are also unlikely to do so. This paper illustrates that EquiFrame can provide the strategic guidance for the reform of Namibian Orthopaedic Technical Services policy, leading to universal and equitable access to healthcare.

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Authors

Gert VanRooy

Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia

Elina Amadhila

Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia

Hasheem Mannan

Project EquitAble, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin

mannanh@tcd.ie (Primary Contact)

Joanne McVeigh

Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin

Malcolm MacLachlan

Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, IE; Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University

Mutamad Amin

Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman

Author Biographies

Gert VanRooy, Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia

Research Fellow

Elina Amadhila, Multidisciplinary Research Centre, University of Namibia

Post-graduate Research Fellow

Hasheem Mannan, Project EquitAble, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin

Senior Research Fellow

Joanne McVeigh, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin

Researcher

Malcolm MacLachlan, Centre for Global Health and School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, IE; Centre for Rehabilitation Studies, Stellenbosch University

Professor, Extraordinary Professor

Mutamad Amin, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman

Director of Research

1.

VanRooy G, Amadhila E, Mannan H, McVeigh J, MacLachlan M, Amin M. Core Concepts of Human Rights and Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups in the Namibian Policy on Orthopaedic Technical Services. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2012 Dec. 5 [cited 2024 Dec. 22];23(3):24-47. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/78

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