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McKee and McPake criticise Okuonzi (BMJ Vol 329, 2004, p1173-5) for
drawing on ideology rather than evidence in his criticism of the World
Bank instigated health care reforms in Uganda. But these 'reforms' guided
as they are by market philosophy and market economic principles are
themselves non-evidence-based ideologies. Okuonzi provides good evidence
that they have failed in Uganda, and Monbiot (1) in a detailed analysis of
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB)policy shows that
they have failed in most places where they have been implemented. In fact
those countries that have been successful in raising themselves from
poverty are those that have steadfastly refused to follow IMF and WB
advice. McKee and McPake say 'this is an area where more evidence rather
than ideology is needed'. I would prefer to see more evidence on the
(effectiveness of the) ideologies.
(1) Monbiot, George. The Age of Consent: a manifesto for a new world
order. 2003, Flamingo
evidence needed on ideologies
McKee and McPake criticise Okuonzi (BMJ Vol 329, 2004, p1173-5) for
drawing on ideology rather than evidence in his criticism of the World
Bank instigated health care reforms in Uganda. But these 'reforms' guided
as they are by market philosophy and market economic principles are
themselves non-evidence-based ideologies. Okuonzi provides good evidence
that they have failed in Uganda, and Monbiot (1) in a detailed analysis of
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB)policy shows that
they have failed in most places where they have been implemented. In fact
those countries that have been successful in raising themselves from
poverty are those that have steadfastly refused to follow IMF and WB
advice. McKee and McPake say 'this is an area where more evidence rather
than ideology is needed'. I would prefer to see more evidence on the
(effectiveness of the) ideologies.
(1) Monbiot, George. The Age of Consent: a manifesto for a new world
order. 2003, Flamingo
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests