Question

Using the Advocacy Approach to public health planning describe an ideal situation and a least ideal situation for its use.

Answer 1

As a policy maker in health planning team one can use various approach in health planning.He has the right to give suggestions,ideas,raise voice for his idea and decision making.Here advocacy approach means striving for others rights.He can use this approach for the good sake of the community.For example if the planning committee plans to tag prices for the free services.The immunization services is free of cost service provided by government.If the planning team suggest to the members about termination of free of cost immunization services there as a member of the policy maker you can raise your voice this is the ideal situation for it.You can stand against to this idea and explain your reasons why it should not be implemented.This is the example of the ideal situation to use advocacy approach.Example for least ideal situation: Suppose if the financial ministry plans to increase the taxes on health services.There you can just give suggestions it may or may not be accepted by the ministry.since you are in a different committee you cannot directly interfere with the plans even though it is linked to health services.In this least ideal situation you can give suggestions but cannot stand for it.