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

Abstract

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 Cov-id-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.