Health, State and Society in Kenya : Faces of Contact and Change (Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora)

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Ndege's (history, St. Louis U.) study considers the conflicts and compromises that accompanied the introduction of Western medicine into colonial Kenya, as well as the factors that shaped the course of Kenyan health care in the 20th century. Now, internal economic constraints and external factors such as globalization have forced the state to shed the pragmatic and compassionate attitude it adopted toward health care at the time of independence--a disengagement that has undermined the availability of basic services just as the nation is hit hard by the AIDS pandemic.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Review
This is an important and well-written history. AFRICAN HISTORY (This book) is an important addition to the work on health care in East Africa, as well as providing insights into the process of formulation of colonial and post-colonial health policy, and the debates within African local government institutions. J OF IMPERIAL AND COMMONWEALTH HISTORY The author has a good familiarity with the anthropological and historical literature and an eye for important moments and key forces in the history of twentieth-century Kenyan health care. INTL J OF AFRICAN HISTORICAL STUDIES Vol 36 No 2 (2003) This work does a great service by discussing major issues related to government authority and health in language those outside the disciplines of history and anthropology can easily follow. For health-care professionals and general readers, this study will be a valuable introduction to the politics of health care in Kenya. JOURNAL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY HISTORY, Spring 2004

Book Description
This book examines the conflicts brought on by the introduction, management and institutionalization of Western biomedicine into Kenya. From the dawn of the colonial age, there were conflicts over the issues and meanings of sickness, health and therapy. Conversations often broke down, especially during the first two decades of the twentieth century, because of the natural and strong desire on the part of local populations, the state and biomedical practitioners to protect their respective hallowed traditions, approaches and identities. However, the persistence of epidemics, spiraling mortality rates, the interdependent nature of the colonial economy, and the establishment and recommendations of Commissions of Inquiry turned the tensions of race and conflict into dialogues about accommodation and compromise. The focus on a common good, rather than upon partisan satisfaction, became a dominant force. Western biomedicine and African traditional therapies each contributed to the growth and development of colonial health care in Kenya. GEORGE NDEGE is Professor of History at St. Louis University


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Ndege's (history, St. Louis U.) study considers the conflicts and compromises that accompanied the introduction of Western medicine into colonial Kenya, as well as the factors that shaped the course of Kenyan health care in the 20th century. Now, internal economic constraints and external factors such as globalization have forced the state to shed the pragmatic and compassionate attitude it adopted toward health care at the time of independence—a disengagement that has undermined the availability of basic services just as the nation is hit hard by the AIDS pandemic. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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