African health care focus of week-long conference

By Shabnam Daneshvar

Daily Staff Reporter

Bringing in social scientists and public health officials from across the country and around the world, the University's first conference focusing on "Africans on Health Care, and the Health of Africans" issues started Monday and will continue throughout the week.

"What's impressive about this conference is that the focus for this seminar is in obstetrics and gynecology, which is usually not the most public health-minded subject," said Adeotokumbo Lucas, professor of international health at Harvard University.

Nancy Hunt, an assistant professor in both the Obstetrics and Gynecology department in the Hospitals and the history department, directed the event and said conferences like these are important because they help "focus a spotlight on the strides being made on African health issues, and the tremendous challenges, like AIDS and the effects of war, that still remain."

Nigerian physician Mairo Mandara, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital for Women and Children in Abuja, Nigeria led yesterday's event.

Her speech focused on impoverished women in Nigeria, who cannot afford to deliver their babies in hospitals. Mandara said the women resort to "really old midwives" or more recently, Muslim volunteers to aid them.

Although the volunteers work with better equipment and are trained, the government is threatening to shut down the services because it is not government sponsored.

Mandara said being sensitive to other cultures' practices is essential to ameliorate their health issues.

"You may have many beautiful programs that may not work because you need to understand the culture. For example when working in North Nigeria, with more Muslims, it is important to realize they do not appreciate giving birth with four to five doctors and nurses looking at them," she said.

Elisha Renne, assistant professor for both the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies and anthropology said the conference not only helps to bring awareness to health problems but allows students and faculty to join forces.

"This conference is a good way to get people in the community linked up and serve as a real resource for students and staff," she said.

Other events scheduled for the week include a speech given by Mandara about complications in childbirth on Wednesday at 1014 Tisch Hall. She will focus on problems with uncontrolled urination due to fistulas, or holes between the bladder and the vagina in young women.

A speech about HIV, AIDS and human rights will be given by Allen Herman, dean of the National School of Public Health, Medical University of South Africa, on Thursday at the School of Public Health at 3 p.m.

The conference series is sponsored several groups including the Interest Group on African Women's Health, the Michigan African Studies Initiative of the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily

Nana Obobia-Akotoi from Ghana wore her traditional apparel to a lecture on the health of Africans yesterday at Rackham. She is royalty in her village.