Poverty reduction strategy papers [editorial]

Many low-income countries are developing poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) as a condition for debt relief offered by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the failed structural adjustment program. 33 interim and 4 full PRSPs have been developed and whether they offer genuine hope to low-income countries or whether they are the same old approaches under a new name is still being determined. It is noted that unlike the structural adjustment program poverty reduction strategies offer good intentions such as "national ownerships" "less dictation from Washington" "civil society participation" and "a focus on poverty". Although there are signs of the benefits of the strategies in the countries of Africa doubts have been cast on its full implementation since enormous difficulties have been encountered during the preparation of PRSPs. In addition most PRSPs ignore the complex relations between poverty and economic policies as well as the disastrous health effects of economic policy changes. Representatives from developing countries have concluded that for the PRSPs to work health must be protected as a basic human right.