In this paper, I will compare and contrast two international funding programs, which majorly support health services in the developing countries. For the purpose of this assignment, I will compare and contrast Population Service International (PSI) and AIDS Relief, which are both international organizations funding health related programs in developing economies.
PSI at a Glance
It is a global health organization aimed at improving the health standards of people in the developing economies. The organization majorly focuses on challenges such as family planning, HIV and AIDS, health risks associated with children less than five years such as diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia, and malnutrition, and barriers to maternal health (Davidson, Wagstaff & Yazbeck 2005).
The organization’s distinctive characteristic is its commitment to the principle that health services and products are most effective when followed by sturdy and strong communications and distribution efforts, which assist in ensuring wide acceptance and proper use (PSI n.d.). Additionally, in achieving the goal of creating lasting solutions to health problems in the developing countries, the organization works in partnership with local governments, local organizations and ministries of health.
Brief History
The organization was founded in 1970 to improve reproductive health using commercial marketing strategies. Its earlier operations majorly dealt with family planning until 1985 when it started the promotion of oral dehydration therapy. It later ventured into HIV prevention in 1988 through advocating for abstinence, use of condoms and fidelity. It later added malaria and safe in 1990 to its portfolio before finally including tuberculosis into its programs in 2004.
Health Impact
The organization boasts of preventing 55.2 million malaria episodes, 478,900 deaths related to malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea in children, 3.9 million diarrhea cases, 206,800 HIV infections, 4.7 million unintended pregnancies, and 13,600 maternal deaths (PSI Impact Magazine 2013). The above statistics represents the impact of products and services PSI provided in 2011.
The international headquarters is located in Washington D.C. and offers its programs to 69 counties in the world. Its European office is situated in Amsterdam.
People
It has 8,000 staff including those working in its affiliates. Its expatriate staff is about 1% of the overall workforce (ISSUU 2013). Its staff at the European and international headquarters provides the organization’s support services.
Donors
The organization receives most of its funding through donor support, which include the governments of the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, and Netherlands. Other donors include United Nations Agencies, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, private foundations, corporations and individuals (PSI 2011).
AIDS RELIEF at a Glance
AIDS Relief is an international non-governmental organization working with global relief efforts to strengthen initiatives and improve the lives of individuals living with HIV/AIDS (GHI 2011). The organization’s pilot project in Mumbai aims at increasing the efficacy of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Infected children through the provision of inexpensive nutritional support (GHI 2011). Additionally, the organization aims at supporting men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS through filling the gaps left by the efforts of national governments in the fight against AIDS, detection and treatment of infected individuals. In making this dream a reality, the organization strengthens support networks for sex workers, supplements the nutritional needs for malnourished children and pregnant mothers, and connects patients to treatment and medication. Finally, AIDS Relief works in collaboration with local governments, non-governmental institutions, and the local health ministries to educate patients on maintaining healthy diets and counseling into its programs.
Brief History and Health Impact
Following the publication, “The Next Wave of HIV/AIDS: Nigeria, Russia, India and China” in 2002, President George W. Bush gave a commitment of $15 billion to fight the Global HIV/AIDS pandemic (PEPFAR 2009). The commitment is referred to as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The initial aim of the program was to provide antiretroviral treatment to 2.2 million HIV infected patients and prevent 6.8 million new infections in developing countries (KFF 2009). The program is considered the largest health program that has ever been initiated by a single nation.
Program Location
The program’s world headquarters is located in Washington D.C. and led by the United States AIDS coordinator, who implements the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (AIDS Relief).
Donors
The donors to this program include the governments of United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands, and individuals.
Conclusion
These two U.S. based organizations provide health services to developing economies at different levels. They both address children as highly vulnerable population in these economies. The major focus of the organizations is to ensure that infected individuals get access to treatment and that the death rates related to the diseases they address are reduced. They also share the similarity in their manner of operation in which they work in collaboration with local governments, health ministries and non-governmental institutions.
As opposed to AIDS Relief, which only provides treatment and nutritional support, PSI also provides other support services and products such as condoms, family planning methods and education on fidelity and abstinence. Additionally, PSI also addresses a varied range of diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia among children, whereas AIDS Relief specifically handles problems related to HIV/AIDS and malnutrition.
Reference:
Davidson R., Wagstaff A. & Yazbeck A. (2005). Reaching the Poor with Health, Nutrition, and Population Services: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why: World Bank e-Library. Washington, D.C.: World Bank Publications.
Population Service International. Retrieved from http://www.psi.org/about-psi/psi-at-a-glance
PEPFAR. (January 2009) .2009 Annual Report to Congress. Retrieved from http://www.pepfar.gov/press/c19573.htm
KFF. (April 2009). The U.S. Government’s Global Health Policy Architecture: Structure, Programs, and Funding. Retrieved from http://kff.org/global-health-policy/report/the-u-s-governments-global-health-policy-architecture-structure-programs-and-funding/
AIDS Relief. Retrieved from http://aidsreliefinternational.org/donate.html
PSI Impact Magazine. (May 2013). The PSI Health Impact report. Retrieved from http://psiimpact.com/
ISSUU - PSI 2012 Impact Report by PSI Population Services. (January 2013). Retrieved from http://issuu.com/healthylives/docs/final_psi_impact_report
GHI. (March 2011). The Global Health Initiative: Strategy Document. Retrieved from http://www.pepfar.gov/documents/organization/136504.pdf.
