Journal for Christian reflections in the context of social sciences and humanities

Caritas et veritas 2021, 11(1):18-33 | DOI: 10.32725/cetv.2021.001

The Role of Religion, Philosophy of Life, Global Health, Traditional Medicine, and Past Experiences in the Covid-19 Pandemic Response: Zambia Case Study

David Mutemwa1, 2, 3, Veronika Zvánovcová3, Anna Helová4, Daniel D. Novotný5
1 The University of Barotseland, Research Unit, PO Box 910316 Mongu, Zambie
2 Auckland Park Theological Seminary, Department of Practical Theology, 55 Richmond Avenue, Private Bag X75, Auckland Park, 2006, Johannesburg, Jižní Afrika
3 Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Teologická fakulta, Katedra sociální a charitativní práce, Kněžská 8, 370 01 České Budějovice
4 The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sparkman Center for Global Health, UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health, 517 RPHB 1665 University Blvd, Birmingham, Alabama 35205, Spojené státy americké
5 Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Teologická fakulta, Katedra filosofie a religionistiky, Kněžská 8, 370 01 České Budějovice

Contrary to expectations, Zambia, similarly to many other Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries and unlike most high-income Western countries, protected the public health against Covid-19 relatively successfully, at least during the first year of the pandemic. How is this possible given the resource-limited health care system, widespread comorbidities, and other adverse conditions in SSA? In this paper we discuss the possible role of religion, philosophy of life, global health approach, traditional medicine, as well as experiences with previous deadly epidemics, that might have contributed to Zambia’s public health success. We draw on previous research concerning similar pandemic situations, as well as on current Zambian experiences, including those expressed in media and contained in accessible government records. We take Zambia’s approach to be an inspiration for other societies so that it is not only the case that the more developed countries can contribute to the less developed ones, but indirectly also vice versa.

Keywords: Religion, Zambia, Covid-19, African philosophy, global health, traditional medicine

Published: October 1, 2021  Show citation

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Mutemwa, D., Zvánovcová, V., Helová, A., & Novotný, D.D. (2021). The Role of Religion, Philosophy of Life, Global Health, Traditional Medicine, and Past Experiences in the Covid-19 Pandemic Response: Zambia Case Study. Caritas et veritas, 11(1), 18-33. doi: 10.32725/cetv.2021.001
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