ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 82
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Prioritisation of snakebite in the World Health Organization:
Policy analysis
Dr Soumyadeep Bhaumik1, Anthony B Zwi2, Robyn Norton3, Jagnoor Jagnoor1,3
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The George Institute For Global Health, 2School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales,
The George Institute for Global Health
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Background
Snakebite is a public health problem in many nations. In 2018, the World Health Assembly (WHA)
adopted a resolution on snakebite, which was followed in 2019 by the World Health Organization
(WHO) developing a strategy for addressing its burden. We aimed to understand the process of
prioritisation of snakebite in the WHO by conducting a policy case study.
Methods
We conducted in-depth interviews and reviewed documents. We drew on the framework on the
emergence and effectiveness of global health network by Schiffman et al.
Results
We analysed transcripts from 20 interviews, 91 documents and a short movie screened at a WHA
side event. We identified the pre-crescendo–crescendo–decrescendo–re-crescendo pattern of policy
prioritisation of snakebite. Fear and fascination about snakes enabled the process, while complexities
in defining solutions acted as a barrier. A small and homogeneous group of academics formed the
core group which, in the re-crescendo phase, expanded to include civil society organisations and state
actors. This led to better understanding of WHO processes, including the needs for funding and state
actor support. The snakebite network used an intersecting and layered framing strategy starting with
moralisation, with layers of securitisation and technification. Finding space within the neglected tropical
disease community and ebbs and flows in the legitimacy of the snakebite network, are unaddressed
policy challenges.
Conclusion
Our analysis identifies two unaddressed policy challenges and implies a fragile placement of snakebite
on the global health agenda. The study provides learnings for networks advocating for other emerging
and neglected public health problems.
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