RICHARD SMITH'S REVIEW OF THE BOOK: 'WHOLE SYSTEM CHANGE OF FAILING HEALTH SYSTEMS'
BMJ 2010; 341:c5520 doi: 10.1136/bmj.c5520 (Published 27 October 2010)
Cite this as: BMJ 2010; 341:c5520
- Views & Reviews. Review of the Week
How to rebuild global health
- Richard Smith, director, UnitedHealth Chronic Disease Initiative
Joseph Ana’s book describes how he turned around the failing health system in a southern Nigerian state. Richard Smith is impressed with the results
Imagine that one day you’re a general practitioner in Luton and the next you are responsible for the health of the three million people of Cross River state, one of the poorest in Nigeria, where child mortality is 20% and maternal mortality 1%, childhood immunisation rates are under 20%, and you have only 72 doctors. And you’d be facing this challenge in a country where corruption is among the worst in the world, with power cuts ubiquitous and everything a struggle. Could you cope? Where would you start?
Joseph Ana made this transition and describes in his book how he went about tackling his new job. The book falls somewhat uncomfortably between a guide on how to rebuild a shattered African health system and a story of a great endeavour. There are two better books to be written: one would give more precise guidance, and one would tell the story with the full complexities that Ana faced—and mostly overcame.
Note: Cite this as: BMJ 2010;341:c5520
Foototes
- Whole System Change of Failing Health Systems
- By Joseph Ana
- 185 pp
- ISBN 978-9784948708
- Available by sending a cheque for £14.99 (or equivalent )payable to J N E Ana to 65 Warden Hill Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 7AE, UK OR
- email: bmjwa@yahoo.com with your buy request
- Competing interests: RS was editor of the BMJ when Joseph Ana was editor of BMJ West Africa. It is possible that they may coedit a reborn edition of Cases Journal, but RS will not be paid.
