Search Results (3)

The Bantustans in South Africa during the Apartheid era engaged in the extension of their territories, as this entailed increased revenue from the Apartheid regime. The latter aimed to concentrate African populations within these Bantustans, which effectively divided them into ‘ethnic’ groups. The Bantustan project, orchestrated by the regime, sought to implement a ‘divide-and-rule’ strategy. The regime was acutely aware that if the African population were to unite, they could pose significant political and security threats; consequently, it was imperative to maintain divisions through the establishment of ‘ethnically’ segregated Bantustans. This study interrogates how the regime enticed Bantustan leaders with territorial extensions to enforce the pseudo-independence and freedom of Africans within these ethnic enclaves, which received financial backing from the regime. As demonstrated in this study, liberation movements accused Bantustan leaders of collaborating with the regime, thereby branding them as ‘stooges’ of the latter. The Bantustan leaders were neither mere dupes nor entirely independent actors; rather, they were constrained to operate within the politically violent confines of the Apartheid system. Their apprehension towards acting against the regime was driven by self-interest. However, by demanding and accepting territorial extensions, they intensified their subordination to the regime. Utilising primary sources alongside secondary interpretations regarding the Bantustans, this study examines the advantages and disadvantages of territorial extensions. It becomes evident that such collaboration undermined the unity of the African populace in their struggle against Apartheid. This study critiques the management of territorial extensions by both the regime and the Bantustan leaders, focusing specifically on the relationships fostered by these extensions, particularly in relation to the TBVC states. Full article

Introduction: Trauma is a major problem which has a significant health, social, and economic impact. Particularly, pediatric trauma carries substantial mortality and morbidity. This is a great concern for subspecialized general and pediatric surgeons. Therefore, a global initiative for pediatric trauma care is warranted and should be initiated. Aim: The international association “Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery” (GICS) would like to propose and organize a children’s trauma care (CTC) initiative. This initiative should comprehensively address pediatric trauma management globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative seeks to achieve a structured cooperation and collaboration with respective sister organizations and local stakeholders. Methods: The initiative will address these relevant aspects: 1. first aid; 2. prehospital primary trauma care; 3. hospital primary trauma care; 4. advanced care (ATLS); 5. diagnostic facilities; 6. operation room (OR) equipment; 7. specialized surgical services; 8. rehabilitation; 9. registry, research, and auditing; 10. specialization in pediatric trauma; 11. capacity and confidence building in pediatric trauma; 12. prevention. The GICS CTC provided activities have been recorded and evaluated in a structured manner. This statement paper is based on data of a narrative review as well as expert opinions. Results: The Trauma Working Group of GICS provided specialized trauma prevention leaflets available for translation to different languages. A one-day children’s primary trauma course has been designed to be delivered at the physical GICS meetings. Exercising advocacy, the group addressed several meetings on prevention of pediatric trauma, which included the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) (2020), GICS IVth meeting in Johannesburg (2020), Norwich (UK) Joint SPRINT Symposium on Pediatric Surgery for Pediatricians (2021), the second online Pan African Pediatric Surgical Association (PAPSA) meeting (2021), the seventh World Congress of the World Federation of Associations of Pediatric Surgeons (WOFAPS) in Prague (2022), and GICS pediatric trauma webinar (2023). Additionally, the working group participated in the preparations of a pediatric trauma module for the World Health Organization (WHO) and published several related studies. The contents of the selected articles added relevant information to the categories stated above. Conclusions: The CTC initiative of GICS is proposed as a mean to address pediatric trauma comprehensively through a process of collaboration and advocacy with existing organizations to achieve awareness, health education, prevention, health, and training. Further, it will support the provision of suitable facilities to health institutions. The establishment of a specialization in pediatric trauma is encouraged. GICS CTC initiative aims to improve pediatric trauma care in LMICs by developing injury prevention strategies; optimizing the use of locally available resources; obtaining commitment by LMICs governments; improvement in all fields of hospital care; improvements in infrastructure, education and training, and attention to data registry and research. Full article

In this article, we describe how the “weathering hypothesis” and Adverse Childhood Experiences set the stage for higher rates of chronic disease, mental health disorders and maternal mortality seen in African American adults. We illustrate the toll that untreated and overtreated mental health disorders have on Black individuals, who have similar rates of mental health disorders as their white counterparts but have fewer outpatient mental health services and higher rates of hospitalizations. We discuss the history of Medicaid, which, while passed alongside Medicare during the Civil Rights era, was Congress’s concession to Southern states unwilling to concede federal oversight and funds to the provision of equal healthcare for poor and Black people. Medicaid, which covers 33% of all Blacks in the US and suffers from chronic underfunding and state efforts to weaken it through demonstration waivers, is a second-class system of healthcare with eligibility criteria that vary by state and year. We propose the adoption of a national, single payer Medicare for All system to cover everyone equally, from conception to death. While this will not erase all structural racism, it will go a long way towards leveling the playing field and achieving greater equity in the US. Full article