Aid Effectiveness in Global Health: Better, Rapid, and Affordable Global Health Results
It is time to assess and improve how we are shaping the global health system.
Do all global health professionals share the same concept when we talk about global health? Do we all collectively share the same standards of practice such as cardiologists, pediatricians and oncologists do when they practice cardiology, pediatrics or oncology?
When I was in medical school, I learned about cardiology, pediatrics, oncology, and other specialties in medicine. Then I got my MPH and I learned about public health practice. However, when it comes to Global Health, there does not seem to be the same general consensus about what it is, how it works or how to improve it.
Here are three existential questions for you:
- What is your definition of global health?
- What is your usual way of working in global health? (Now compare your way, with what the CDC says is global health; and with what USAID says is global health. Read what they do. You can also check what the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) does.)
- Is your way of working in global health the same or similar to what these agencies do? (Do you think that every new global health professional should be learning from CUGH schools)? I suggest you visit if you have any doubts.
If you are still confused, you are not alone. Every organization and most programs and initiatives have their own vision of global health, strategy and even unique way of implementation. There are some best practices, but they are not common practice. In fact, there is no consensus yet about what the effective practice of global health is, and what global health consultants do, or how. Yes, there are a set of competencies for teaching students, but not a global health way to practice. Maybe WHO would lead the effort of getting consensus… but for now here is what I suggest:
Let’s keep it simple!
Here is my definition of global health:
Global health is the concerted effort of all nations and international organizations to improve how every country organizes public and private healthcare delivery to meet the health needs of their people and to meet international health regulations.
Stay tuned. Next week I will talk more about global health organizations, the people who work for them, and how to improve our work so that someday, global health will be much like cardiology; another recognized practice. If you want to learn more about improving aid effectiveness, I invite you to sign up for the free RGH webinar entitled “Aid Effectiveness in Global Health: Back to Basics in Global Health”.
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