Stories from the Field: One individual at a time

by Karen, posted in Stories from the Field

Public-private partnerships are transforming public health, creating new opportunities to broaden our reach with new partners and ideas. Some of the terminology or business methodology used on the private side is new to those on the public sector. But over time, these differences add to the creative spirit behind such partnerships. Such differences help drive transformations for both public and private organizations, offering new ideas that are tested in one venue and become transferable to another.

Dr. Elvira Beracochea has worked in both the private and public sector, and combined these experiences to create MIDEGO. The model she developed takes basic principles of business management and tailors them to meet the needs of NGO’s. Coaching, mentoring and training are standard development tools offered in the private sector, often used to reinforce a positive culture of growth and development. For NGO’s this is a luxury, where every dollar is scrutinized and valued against the larger needs they serve. Yet for NGO’s, these development needs are just as great or even greater than in the private sector. Continue reading “Stories from the Field: One individual at a time” →

Stories from the Field: Just and Lasting Change

by Karen, posted in Stories from the Field

On May 28th, Prof. Carl Taylor was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Global Health Council LifetimePhoto by Medora Hebert, Global Health Council Achievement Award for his dedication to improving the health care of the world’s most marginalized people through innovative and sustainable community-based interventions. During his acceptance speech, Dr Taylor discussed the future of global health and that new directions will be required to meet the challenges as globalization takes over. He talked about the need to focus on “peoples self reliant social change” and that the greatest problem is going to be the issue of the “worlds total health ecology”. This is when the “3-way partnership” is important; where in addition to the top down officials and programs, and bottom-up self reliant communities, a new generation of health professionals must emerge that specialize in bringing the top and bottom together to find new patterns for collaboration. When this is accomplished, Dr Taylor believes that health for all will be possible and mutual empowerment will begin. (Photo by Medora Hebert, Global Health Council) Continue reading “Stories from the Field: Just and Lasting Change” →

Stories from the Field: What is your vision 200 years from now?

by Karen, posted in Stories from the Field

It’s impossible not to be moved by William Foege, MD, MPH, a leader in public health who continues to educate, motivate and challenge those who are searching for new solutions to complex global issues.  Last week at the Global Health Council’s annual meeting, Dr Foege spoke to individuals interested in pursuing careers in global health.  He chose to share lessons from his years of experience…. lessons we can all learn from.

  1. Preparation:  You cannot know everything in advance, public health combines multiple disciplines. Become a generalist and find a specialty that interests you.
  2. Possibilities: 10 years ago the options were few, now the possibilities are endless. Continue reading “Stories from the Field: What is your vision 200 years from now?” →

Which Top Family Planning Research Findings should be put into Practice? Vote!

by Eckhard, posted in Family Planning

Which are the most important family planning research findings that should be put into practice? Authors for an upcoming Population Reports issue on the topic invite you to vote for the top three findings from a list of seven. For example, WHO recommends that family planning clients receive up to a year’s supply of pills, or as many pill packs as feasible, at the first visit. Research finds that women who get a full year’s supply of pills are more likely to use the method effectively, without interruption. This practice is rare in many countries, however. Have a more urgent finding that should become a practice? Vote and then write a comment on INFO’s Blog.

Are Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Unfair to Africa?

by Eckhard, posted in MDGs / SDGs

eckhard-kleinau.jpg“At the midway point between their adoption in 2000 and the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, sub-Saharan Africa is not on track to achieve any of the Goals”. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/docs/MDGafrica07.pdf

Yes, according to William Easterly, author of “The White Man’s Burden”, at a February 6 event, Africa was set up to fail by the way MDG targets were set and indicators defined (http://www.brookings.edu/events/2008/0206_africa.aspx). With wit and by taking occasional cheap shots at those who developed the MDG goals and targets, Easterly held the attention of a large audience. Using data and trends, he made a compelling case why MDGs did not give sub-Saharan Africa credit for its considerable progress, thus contributing to the stereotype of “Africa’s failure”. In his response, Danny Leipziger of the World Bank took issue with many of Easterly’s claims pointing out, for example, that Tanzania was treated no different from Nepal for most MDG goals. Here is the question: Do you believe that MDGs are fair or unfair to Africa? Continue reading “Are Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Unfair to Africa?” →