MC and Global Health—3

World Health Assembly—Health Governance

WHO World Health Assembly, United Nations Geneva

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How does global health governance work?

How can it apply to good governance
in mission/aid and member care? 

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Last month we were at the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA), the large annual event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the many highlights was the side-event on 23 May on Democratising Global Health Governance. Attended by nearly 100 people, this event primarily brought NGOs together to discuss the major structural and managerial reform process being undertaken by WHO. Many issues were raised by the panel of six speakers—three from NGOs, two from national health ministries (Kenya and Germany) and one from the WHO Secretariat. Some of the concerns raised by the NGO reps included not being informed about the overall philosophy that were guiding the reforms; the possibility of business, industry, and other special interests inappropriately influencing WHO priorities, primarily through their financial contributions (only 20% of the budget comes from member states); and the need for an increasing role for civil society in giving input, supporting, and monitoring  the work of the WHO Secretariat and member states (countries).

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One of the main groups organizing this side-event was a new coalition of organizations called Democratising Global Health (DGH). For more information about this organization, click here. To review some of the affirmations and concerns about WHO governance by one of the organizations that is part of DGH, Peoples Health Movement (PHM), click here. See also PHMs 2009 The Peoples Charter for Health. For even more information, see the Global Health Watch site including their alternative global health reports.

The presentations and exchanges by these high-level representatives were amicable and engaging, There is just so much to learn as we cross sectors for mutual learning and resources and as we try to understand how our work fits into the bigger issues of our globalizing world. Two crucial take aways for me from this WHA event in relation to good governance for mission/aid and member care are:

1)      who in the mission/aid community, or external to it, functions as  the equivalent of the DHG,  with the skills and conviction along with a  recognized platform for giving input, supporting, and monitoring the Evangelical mission/aid community, including the Evangelical member care community, for accountability and effectiveness in relationship to its values, practices, and priorities?

2)      what happens to movements, umbrella organizations, and networks when their leaders and members become out of touch with dissenting opinions and concerns—internal and external—and a thinly veiled authoritarian structure and inordinate sense of importance slowly takes the place of a more open, consensual, democratic ethos, ultimately with leaders becoming a law unto themselves, serving for over-extended periods with impunity and sadly supporting such aberrant practices by manipulative spiritual rationales and self-vindicating assertions of acting virtuously?

Note: The above organizations are in many ways very pro WHO and are committed to see its core values and crucial role in global health realized. The same is true for us regarding the mission/aid and member care community—we too are very pro in our commitment to its health, core values, and crucial roles. .

Reflection and Discussion
**Describe a few applications for MC based on the items/commentary above.

MC and Global Health—2

World Health Assembly—Mental Health

 

Last week we were at the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA), the large annual event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The highlight on 22 May was listening to the interventions (statements) about the Resolution on mental health (EB130.Rb): The Global Burden of Mental Disorders and the Need for a Comprehensive, Coordinated Response from Health and Social Sectors at the Country Level.  

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Over 30 member states (countries) made statements about this four-page Resolution over a two-hour period, overwhelmingly supporting it. In the process many also described improvements they are making in their own national MH policies and programs. One noteworthy intervention was Thailand standing firm on its request to include the terms “family” and “community” in the Resolution.  This request was accepted.  Five civil society organizations also made statements including the World Federation for Mental Health. The Resolution unanimously passed.

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For some perspective, this Resolution was a long time coming. Three member states initiated this Resolution in December last year (Switzerland, USA, India).  To see the Mental Health Report (six pages) that the Resolution was based on, click here.

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Civil society in general supported it but did not initiate it. And now so many member states themselves collectively have moved forward with it. It was a breath of fresh air after so many people/organizations/WHO Mental Health's long hard work over the years to see mental health mainstreamed and integrated more into the global health agenda.

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The next step is the action plan and implementation, no small matter of course. Resolutions are never enough. They are like a summons to point member states, WHO, civil society, and industry towards accountable action. This Resolution thus also applies to the mission/aid community. It gives a further recognized platform—and mandate--for pursuing “mental health as mission” as a core part of the work of mission/aid. Will we pursue it? For more thoughts, see the entries towards the end of 2011 on Global Integration.

Reflection and Discussion

**Describe a few applications for MC based on the items/commentary above.

MC and Global Health--1

World Health Assembly--Global Statistics

This week we are at the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA), the large annual event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It meets here in Geneva at the United Nations. This gathering brings together thousands of health practitioner, advocates, researchers, ministries of health etc. in order to discuss, debate, plan,  etc. on a range of health issues around the world, from river blindness, to infant mortality, to health equity and rights, to the Millennium  Development Goals (MDGs). It is an intense, packed time, with multiple options beckoning you for your attention and attendance at any given time.

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Global health (GH) involvement is relevant for member care (MC) in at least important ways:

1. GH is a major concern of many people and organizations in mission/aid.

2. GH promotes mutual learning and can provide many new resources to support MC.

3. GH can open doors for additional roles and contributions as MC workers.

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To the above three items we would add that connecting with global issues in general, such as those in GH, is part of our responsibility as Christ-followers to help fellow-humans. It is also part of our responsibility as "citizens of heaven" (Phil. 3:20) who also understand that we are global citizens during our sojourn on earth. So from a Christian perspective, both desire and duty impel us to do all that we can to promote health and healing in this world. Yet ultimately we look to Christ as the ultimate Healer of humanity's woes--the One who will "transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory" (Phil. 3:21). 

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We begin these entries with three links to helpful statistics on global health. 

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World Health Statistics 2012

WHO’s annual compilation of health-related data for its 194 Member States, and includes a summary of the progress made towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and associated targets.This year, it also includes highlight summaries on the topics of noncommunicable diseases, universal health coverage and civil registration coverage. Progress on the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

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MDGs Fact Sheet:

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Summary Brochure for World Health Statistics
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Full Report: World Health Statistics
Table of Contents
Part I. Health-related Millennium Development Goals
Summary of status and trends
Regional and country charts
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Part II. Highlighted topics
Noncommunicable diseases: a major health challenge of the 21st century
Health expenditures and universal coverage
Civil registration and vital statistics systems
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Part III. Global health indicators
1. Life expectancy and mortality
2. Cause-specific mortality and morbidity
3. Selected infectious diseases
4. Health service coverage
5. Risk factors
6. Health workforce, infrastructure and essential medicines
7. Health expenditure
8. Health inequities
9. Demographic and socioeconomic statistics
10. Health information systems and data availability
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Reflection and Discussion
**Describe a few applications for MC based on the items/commentary above.