Written by: Ronaish Arshad
The Importance of Root Cause Analysis
“Why treat people and send them back to the conditions that made them sick?”
— The Health Gap: The Challenge of An Unequal World, Michael Marmot
This is the opening line of Michael Marmot’s renowned novel The Health Gap, centred around the social determinants of health and the difference in healthcare accessibility across different nations and classes. Michael Marmot was chair of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health and was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to public health. His novel discussed the ‘broken windows theory’ and drew a vital correlation: how low social status can lead to disempowerment and life problems which intensify into ill-health. Providing a ‘cure’ only to thrust someone back into a cycle of poverty, instability, lack of self-sufficiency and illness is bound to cause the same problems to befall the person again. By utilising root cause analysis and improving people’s social conditions, we increase the probability of giving them a longer and healthier life.
How Does MEDLIFE Target the Root Cause of Healthcare Disparities?
The answer is MEDLIFE’s comprehensive approach, a product of root cause analysis in vulnerable populations. It aims to cater to immediate needs while simultaneously building a foundation for long-term sustainability. With these goals in mind, MEDLIFE delivers aid via three avenues: Medicine, Education & Development.
Medicine: By establishing mobile clinics that offer basic medical treatment and preventative screens, designed to find patients who are in need of long-term assistance. Additionally, MEDLIFE operates year-round follow-up care for patients in need of greater care, ensuring no patient is left untreated.
Education: This is key to empowering low-income communities. MEDLIFE hosts age and gender-specific programs/seminars to educate the population on healthcare topics, fostering a culture of informed preventative care. Furthermore, we offer workshops and childcare at certain sites such as the MED Center for Primary Education in Lima.
Development: MEDLIFE’s infrastructural pursuits include building greenhouses, community staircases, providing school & home renovations, along with establishing recreational spaces. This sets up a foundation for long-term community resilience. What strengthens this foundation is the fact that MEDLIFE prioritises the involvement of community stakeholders, working hand in hand with them to build their skills and ensure they become self-sufficient. In doing so, MEDLIFE guarantees a lasting impact, even after its volunteers leave.
As of August 2023, MEDLIFE has provided 330,000+ medical consultations, has cared for 800+ follow-up patients and has led 600+ development projects.
Via root cause analysis of healthcare inequalities, we work to reduce the impact of the social determinants of health on low-income populations. We work to assist them, to educate them, and to empower them to the best of our ability. As an organisational entity, MEDLIFE believes in transparency and long-term, sustainable impact. We document and record all our work on our website, you can find evidence of our medical work, our educational work, and our development work.
If MEDLIFE’s approach has inspired you to learn how you can get involved and make an impact by assisting low-income communities on one of our volunteer trips abroad, fill out the interest form below or download our free brochure to get started today!