Veronica Kimani | Universität zu Köln (original) (raw)

Papers by Veronica Kimani

Research paper thumbnail of Choice matters: Election and Democracy in AFruca

African Union Herald, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Nurturing Traditional Midwifery and Medicine: The Entangled Path of Health Integration in Post Independence Kilombero, Tanzania.

Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Studies, 2024

This paper focuses on the Tanzanian government's ambitious endeavour to enhance health, particula... more This paper focuses on the Tanzanian government's ambitious endeavour to enhance health, particularly midwifery services following independence. The initial strategy by the government involved promoting Western medicine by establishing healthcare facilities and training medical personnel. However, the strain of a burgeoning population and limited resources soon became evident, prompting the government to recognise the need for the incorporation of traditional medicine, previously overlooked. This integration posed its own set of obstacles, as the focus on herbal remedies overshadowed crucial aspects of conventional midwifery, such as rituals. While research has shown the resolve of the government towards medical integration between different players, this paper shows that incorporating other actors such as voluntary agencies and traditional health workers proved a formidable task for the post-independent government. Using examples from Kilombero District, this paper examines the complexities and setbacks of government planning in this context, highlighting how the intended path to improvement took unexpected turns, failures, and detours, leading to a re-evaluation of strategies and priorities on the part of the government, while the people embraced a hybrid of medical therapies.

Research paper thumbnail of Seniority in Midwifery in Tanzania: Medical Local Practices Between Colonial Medicine and Postcolonial Modernization

Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Maternal Healthcare and Health Policy Planning in Tanzania, 1960-1970s.

Veronica Kimani, 2024

The period immediately after independence in Tanzania was marked by intense planning for the co... more The period immediately after independence in Tanzania was marked by
intense planning for the country’s development. Part of this planning
involved the healthcare system and was aimed at addressing the grave dangers posed by life-threatening diseases. Improvements in healthcare included the expansion of medical facilities and staff. The government identified maternal health as vital in revamping public health. It understood that the well-being of mothers and children was fundamental for the prosperity of the newly founded state. The focus, however, was on rudimentary health provisions. This article examines health policy planning in Tanzania immediately after independence. Using examples from maternal health, it argues that healthcare planning after independence was still largely shaped by the measures developed under colonial rule despite the optimism about a sovereign future. This was mainly because the problems and plans that had arisen during colonialism remained in existence after independence. The article uses archival, oral and secondary sources to show how attempts to shift health policies were hindered by poor planning, lack of funds, inadequate staff, gender relations and the choice between healthcare and other needs. It examines how the newly independent government negotiated the quest for better healthcare, especially maternal health.

Research paper thumbnail of The Transformation of Circumcision and Masculinity among the Agikuyu of Kiambu, 1945-2008

THE TRANSFORMATION OF CIRCUMCISION AND MASCULINITY AMONG THE AGIKUYU OF KIAMBU, 1945-2008 Rites o... more THE TRANSFORMATION OF CIRCUMCISION AND MASCULINITY AMONG THE AGIKUYU OF KIAMBU, 1945-2008 Rites of passage are very significant in many African societies. They mark a critical stage in a person’s life. Of the many rites of passage that exist, circumcision is common. Traditionally, the practice entailed elaborate procedures that required early planning and was accompanied with specific rituals. However, circumcision has undergone major transformation overtime. This study analyzes the transformation of Agikuyu circumcision over the period 1945-2008. The research focused on the rite in the traditional setup and how it transformed during the colonial times and post-independent era, due to the influences of many factors including the impact of missionary work, western education, western medicine and the monetization of the economy. The research is based on the principle that Agikuyu circumcision was and still remains an important practice with deep cultural significance and the basis upo...

Research paper thumbnail of Choice matters: Election and Democracy in AFruca

African Union Herald, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Nurturing Traditional Midwifery and Medicine: The Entangled Path of Health Integration in Post Independence Kilombero, Tanzania.

Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Studies, 2024

This paper focuses on the Tanzanian government's ambitious endeavour to enhance health, particula... more This paper focuses on the Tanzanian government's ambitious endeavour to enhance health, particularly midwifery services following independence. The initial strategy by the government involved promoting Western medicine by establishing healthcare facilities and training medical personnel. However, the strain of a burgeoning population and limited resources soon became evident, prompting the government to recognise the need for the incorporation of traditional medicine, previously overlooked. This integration posed its own set of obstacles, as the focus on herbal remedies overshadowed crucial aspects of conventional midwifery, such as rituals. While research has shown the resolve of the government towards medical integration between different players, this paper shows that incorporating other actors such as voluntary agencies and traditional health workers proved a formidable task for the post-independent government. Using examples from Kilombero District, this paper examines the complexities and setbacks of government planning in this context, highlighting how the intended path to improvement took unexpected turns, failures, and detours, leading to a re-evaluation of strategies and priorities on the part of the government, while the people embraced a hybrid of medical therapies.

Research paper thumbnail of Seniority in Midwifery in Tanzania: Medical Local Practices Between Colonial Medicine and Postcolonial Modernization

Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2024

Research paper thumbnail of Maternal Healthcare and Health Policy Planning in Tanzania, 1960-1970s.

Veronica Kimani, 2024

The period immediately after independence in Tanzania was marked by intense planning for the co... more The period immediately after independence in Tanzania was marked by
intense planning for the country’s development. Part of this planning
involved the healthcare system and was aimed at addressing the grave dangers posed by life-threatening diseases. Improvements in healthcare included the expansion of medical facilities and staff. The government identified maternal health as vital in revamping public health. It understood that the well-being of mothers and children was fundamental for the prosperity of the newly founded state. The focus, however, was on rudimentary health provisions. This article examines health policy planning in Tanzania immediately after independence. Using examples from maternal health, it argues that healthcare planning after independence was still largely shaped by the measures developed under colonial rule despite the optimism about a sovereign future. This was mainly because the problems and plans that had arisen during colonialism remained in existence after independence. The article uses archival, oral and secondary sources to show how attempts to shift health policies were hindered by poor planning, lack of funds, inadequate staff, gender relations and the choice between healthcare and other needs. It examines how the newly independent government negotiated the quest for better healthcare, especially maternal health.

Research paper thumbnail of The Transformation of Circumcision and Masculinity among the Agikuyu of Kiambu, 1945-2008

THE TRANSFORMATION OF CIRCUMCISION AND MASCULINITY AMONG THE AGIKUYU OF KIAMBU, 1945-2008 Rites o... more THE TRANSFORMATION OF CIRCUMCISION AND MASCULINITY AMONG THE AGIKUYU OF KIAMBU, 1945-2008 Rites of passage are very significant in many African societies. They mark a critical stage in a person’s life. Of the many rites of passage that exist, circumcision is common. Traditionally, the practice entailed elaborate procedures that required early planning and was accompanied with specific rituals. However, circumcision has undergone major transformation overtime. This study analyzes the transformation of Agikuyu circumcision over the period 1945-2008. The research focused on the rite in the traditional setup and how it transformed during the colonial times and post-independent era, due to the influences of many factors including the impact of missionary work, western education, western medicine and the monetization of the economy. The research is based on the principle that Agikuyu circumcision was and still remains an important practice with deep cultural significance and the basis upo...