Jon Petter A Stoor

PhD

Affiliation(s)
Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Lávvuo-Research and Education for Sámi Health, Umeå University, Sweden.
Researcher, Centre for Sámi Health Research, Department of Community Medicine, UiT-the Arctic University of Norway.

Title
Equity for Sámi Patients Too: Unraveling Paradoxes within a Universal Healthcare System

Abstract
Person-centered healthcare systems necessitate an understanding of how Indigenous worldviews and socio-cultural realities influence the health experiences of Indigenous people. The majority of the Indigenous Sámi reside in their traditional northern homelands in Fenno-Scandinavia – Sápmi, and thus grapple with health challenges associated with long distances, inadequate infrastructure, and rurality. While some of these issues can be addressed with sufficient funding and political will, I argue that other challenges are deeply rooted in national norms, practices, and legislation. This will be exemplified from the situation in Sweden. Why are Indigenous Sámi patients still not entitled to healthcare in Sámi language(s), and can we genuinely claim the existence of person-centered care in such a scenario? Furthermore, could the adaptation of care to meet Sámi needs be perceived as conflicting with the principle of equity, foundational to any universal healthcare system? Drawing from experiences, knowledge, and research, I try to highlight the challenges to, and the pathways towards, achieving equitable services, realising person-centred care for Indigenous Sámi, too.

Elvis Imafidon

PhD, Director of the Centre for Global and Comparative Philosophies, SOAS University of London

Affiliation(s)
School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Title
Fluidity, Relationality and Personhood in African Understanding of Health and Wellbeing

Abstract
The shift from body-centred to person-centred healthcare discourse acknowledges the importance of personhood in health and wellbeing. But who is a person or what constitutes personhood? Sub-Saharan African philosophies of personhood emphasise the fluid and relational natures of the self in the attainment and sustenance of personhood and wellbeing. Concerning fluidity, personhood and wellbeing are not fixed or static states of being. There is always room for being-better. The fluidity and dynamism depend largely on relationality. Concerning relationality, personhood and wellbeing are co-created and collaboratively achieved by agents in an active and lively community of beings, including humans and non-humans. In this talk, I explore these features of African Philosophies of Personhood and their importance in thinking about person-centred healthcare. The fluidity of the self indicates the fluid realities of health and wellbeing, the non-stable nature of being-healthy. The relationality of the self shows the importance for co-creating wellbeing and health at all levels of engagement as well as the need for a holistic approach to a person’s health and wellbeing. I show that these features of African philosophies of personhood are significant for rethinking healthcare services at individual, community and global levels including planetary health.