ubuntu reimagining healthcare ethics for a more compassionate world

The Term “Ubuntu” comes from the Zulu and Xhola languages, and roughly translates to “Humanity towards others”, and is an African Ethno-philosophy that emphasizes the relationship of the individual with the Group, recognizing one’s self in others, most exemplified by the proverbial Zulu saying “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” that translates to “I am because We are” or “Humanity towards others”.[1] Initially adapted as an Ideology by the Post-Apartheid South Africa to bring about harmony and unity to its numerous segregated racial and ethnic groups, it has since grown to represent a way of life and a moral code. [2] Ubuntu underscores the importance of agreement, collaboration and unity among groups, instructing a way of life that champions and celebrates differences among individuals all the while emphasizing on the common bonds that are more important than any individual arguments and divisions within it. This philosophy serves as a counterweight to the rampant individualism pervasive in the contemporary world, and has had a major impact on the interaction and livelihood of human beings. [3]

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of cultural competence and ethical considerations in healthcare practices [4]. Traditional Western medical ethics have largely been influenced by a colonial framework that may not fully align with the values and beliefs of diverse populations. It fails to address the complexities of diverse cultural contexts, backgrounds and the social determinants of health since it’s rooted in Autonomy and individualism. Ubuntu encourages health professionals to take into consideration the various Social, cultural and economic factors that affect health and fosters a collaborative decision making with patients, their families and community. [5]

Benefits of Ubuntu in Clinical Practice:

• Ubuntu prioritizes the common Good, and encourages health professionals to consider the broader impact of their actions. It also encourages the equitable allocation of resources within healthcare systems, ensuring the under-privileged are served in an equitable manner. [6]
• Ubuntu empowers patients to proactively participate in their own care and the community’s  well being, emphasizing the importance of shared decision-making process taking into consideration the individual’s as well as the community’s values, beliefs and preferences, tailoring a unique approach towards the patient. [7]
• Ubuntu promotes a culturally sensitive care and humility, encouraging healthcare professionals to approach patients with respect, compassion and understanding taking into their unique cultural background into consideration. [8]
• With the advent of Ai and it’s increasing integration into health care, ubuntu can be applied to AI development and deployment in healthcare by guiding the design, deployment, and use of trustworthy AI systems that work for everyone, upholding the fundamental human right to fair and accessible healthcare. Ubuntu can help ground and rethink AI ethics in healthcare, presenting new ways to address ethical concerns of fairness, informed consent, and trust facing AI systems [9]

References

1. Hunhu/Ubuntu in Traditional Southern African Thought | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2024, February 15). Hunhu/Ubuntu in Traditional Southern African Thought | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/hunhu-ubuntu-southern-african-thought/
2. Ubuntu (philosophy) – New World Encyclopedia. (2024, February 15). Ubuntu (philosophy) New World Encyclopedia: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ubuntu_(philosophy)
3. “I am because we are”: The African Philosophy of Ubuntu. (2020, September 30): https://www.ttbook.org/interview/i-am-because-we-are-african-philosophy-ubuntu
4. Saha, S., Beach, M. C., & Cooper, L. A. (2008). Patient centeredness, cultural competence and healthcare quality. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(11), 1275-1285.
5. Sambala, E. Z., Cooper, S., & Manderson, L. (2020). Ubuntu as a framework for ethical decision making in Africa: Responding to epidemics. Ethics & Behavior, 30(1), 1-13.
6. Jecker, N. S., Atuire, C. A., & Kenworthy, N. (2022). Realizing Ubuntu in Global Health: An African Approach to Global Health Justice. Public Health Ethics, 15(3), 256-267.
7. Chigangaidze, R. K., Matanga, A. A., & Katsuro, T. R. (2022). Ubuntu philosophy as a humanistic–existential framework for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62(3), 319-333.
8. Metz, T. (2020). Humility and the African ethic of Ubuntu.
9. Amugongo, L. M., Bidwell, N. J., & Corrigan, C. C. (2023, June). Invigorating Ubuntu Ethics in AI for healthcare: Enabling equitable care. In Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (pp. 583-592).