Conventions, Customs and Beliefs – Social Determinants and Realising the Right to Health in Malawi and Uganda

Abstract

This article will focus on the importance of committed and participating civil communities in the realisation of health rights on the African continent. The various social, material, organisational, religious and cultural conceptions unique to the Malawian and Ugandan communities will be touched upon to show that community-specific responses to health rights are shaped by and are being informed by the social and cultural milieu of these African societies. From the examples put forward in this article it will become clear that the realisation of health rights on the African continent will remain a mere pipe dream if the social and cultural milieu of health needs and rights in Malawi and Uganda are ignored. First, the constitutional and legislative frameworks for health rights in Uganda and Malawi will be outlined whereafter the most pertinent social, religious and cultural conceptions that currently impact on the realisation of the right to health in these two countries will be discussed. The importance of recognising and addressing these social determinants of health on the African continent will be emphasised and a more contextualised approach to the realisation of health rights will be advocated for.