UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
|
| UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) |
|
HDDFLASH ISSUE No. 17, August 1, 1997
Electronic Newsletter and Archiving Service on human development issues
World Bank
Human Development Department
E-mail: hddlink@worldbank.org
http:/www.worldbank.org/html/hcovp/hdd/contents.html
___________________________________________________________________________=
__
In this issue....
* World Bank Strategy for the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector
* New Publications to Note
* Request for Proposals
* Job Announcements
___________________________________________________________________________=
__
Dear HDDFLASH subscribers:
This is my last issue of the newsletter as editor and administrator.=20
My personal thanks to the many who have provided invaluable contributions t=
o=20
the newsletter in my two years as editor. I have enjoyed working and speaki=
ng=20
to many of you, in person and/or electronically. We continue to value your=
=20
patronage and participation.=20
At this time, I would like to introduce HDDFLASH's new editor, Homira Nasse=
ry=20
who will be joining us sometime late August.=20
Best wishes to all,=20
Vivian Hon
vhon@worldbank.org
=20
************************************************************************=
*
=09=09Sector Strategy for Health, Nutrition and Population
************************************************************************=
*
The Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Sector Strategy Paper is the fir=
st=20
in a series of Sector Strategy Papers (SSPs) that are intended to complemen=
t=20
Bank Country Assistance Strategies (CASs). It goes beyond past approaches t=
o=20
sectoral reviews and strategies to reflect lessons learned; to determining=
=20
Network priorities for research, staffing and policy work; and contributing=
to=20
CAS by identifying country sectoral issues.=20
Section 1 of the report reviews the gains in the HNP sector and addresses=
=20
future development challenges and policy directions. Despite remarkable=20
historic gains, 2 million vaccine preventable childhood deaths and 7.5 mill=
ion=20
perinatal deaths occur annually. Poor countries with rapid population growt=
h=20
are placing increasing burdens on their health and social services.=20
Furthermore, weak government implementation capacity and market imperfectio=
ns=20
in the private sector result in limiting access of health services to the=
=20
poor. Factors such as dissatisfaction with poor health outcomes, low qualit=
y=20
of care, cost escalation have led to a wave of health reforms throughout th=
e=20
world.
Section II addresses the Bank's involvement in the HNP sector since the ear=
ly=20
1970s and lessons learned in its overall lending portfolio. At the end of=
=20
FY96, there were 154 active HNP projects in 82 countries valued at=20
US$ 9.2 billion and 94 completed projects. Roughly, one-half of Bank financ=
ing=20
from FY94-96 was in IDA credits targeted to poor countries. Interestingly, =
the=20
study found that the real source of aid effectiveness in the sector is refo=
rms=20
resulting from policy advice and not the loan themselves, which often=20
substitutes for government spending. Other concerns include a relatively hi=
gh=20
number of unsatisfactory projects; sustainability of projects and their=20
contributions to institutional developments; and the decrease in analytical=
=20
and policy work.
The last section sets the challenges and the strategy for the Bank into the=
=20
21st century. The report lists the Bank's objectives as assisting client=20
countries in:=20
(i) improving the HNP outcomes, especially the poor;
(ii) enhancing the performance of the health care systems by promoting=20
equitable access to quality services that are affordable, effective, effici=
ent=20
and client-responsive;
(iii) securing sustainable health care financing by mobilizing sufficient=
=20
resources, establishing risk-pooling mechanisms and maintaining effective=
=20
control over public and private expenditures in health.
The report proposes greater partnerships between client countries and NGOs;=
=20
mutual collaboration between the Bank and international health community,=
=20
building on each organization's comparative advantage. It also recognizes t=
he=20
need to address staffing issues and improving clients services through=20
knowledge management.
The "Sector Strategy Paper: Health, Nutrition and Population" report no.=20
R97-168 is available at any World Bank Public Information Center email:=20
pic@worldbank.org=20
In the US, tel: (202) 458-5454; fax: (202) 522-1500=20
Mail Address: 1818 H Street, N.W.=20
Room GC1-300=20
Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A .
=20
or contact Sancta Watley at swatley@worldbank.org=20
***********************************************************************=
*** =20
=20
=09 =09=09NEW PUBLICATIONS TO NOTE
=20
***********************************************************************=
***
=20
Schieber, George (ed.) Innovations in Health Care Financing.=20
Proceedings of a World Bank Conference, March 10-11, 1997. World=20
Bank Discussion Paper no. 365.
=20
Health care expenditures account for 9% of total global product. =20
Financing health care is a critical concern for the developed and=20
developing world. This proceedings contains thirteen papers=20
presented at the World Bank's Conference on Innovations in Health=20
Care Financing held in Washington, D.C.=20
The conference brought together 400 participants from more than 70=20
countries to consider a wide range of issues relating to health=20
financing in low- and middle-income countries. The conceptual and=20
operation policy contexts were addressed. Issues ranged from user=20
charges and informal risk-pooling schemes to the more recent=20
innovations such as medical savings accounts and managed=20
competition.
=20
266 pages / 8=BD x 11 / (ISBN 0-8213-3964-8) / Stock no. 13964 /=20
$20.00 / Price code S20=20
=20
This publication is available at the World Bank bookstore (202)=20
473-2941 or fax: (202) 477-0604.=20
=20
To order by phone, in the US, contact: World Bank, P.O. Box=20
7247-8619, Philadelphia, PA 19170-8619; tel: (703)661-1580 or fax:=20
(703)661-1501=20
=20
=09=09=09##################
=20
Health Conditions in the Caribbean, Pan American Health Organization (P=
AHO)
*** SPECIAL Pre-publication Discount
=20
The PAHO, regional office of the World Health Organization, is pleased =
to=20
announce its forthcoming publication, "Health Conditions in the Caribbe=
an."=20
Now, for the first time, you can turn to one comprehensive source for=
=20
accurate information about the health situation in the Caribbean.=20
=20
In "Health Conditions in the Caribbean," the PAHO presents an overview =
of=20
the challenges and conditions faced by health systems in the Caribbean=
=20
Community (CARICOM) member countries. =20
=20
The 326-page book consists of two major sections and an appendix of=20
statistical tables. Section I highlights the general health status of=
=20
the Caribbean people and its social context. The first two chapters cov=
er=20
the socioeconomic and political situation and include morbidity and=20
mortality statistics. The following chapter deals with two of the=20
priorities of the CCH initiative: health infrastructure and human resou=
rces=20
development. Other chapters cover the history and development of health=
=20
legislation in the subregion; health promotion; and women, health and=
=20
development.=20
=20
Section II describes those health program areas which correspond to the=
=20
major causes of morbidity and mortality in the Caribbean. Five of the e=
ight=20
chapters concern priorities identified by the CCH: maternal and child=
=20
health, food and nutrition, control of noncommunicable diseases, AIDS=
=20
prevention and control, and environmental protection, including disaste=
r=20
management. The remaining chapters focus on the elderly-- a growing seg=
ment=20
of the populations of these countries-- mental health, and oral health.
=20
The result of painstaking data collection and investigations by public=
=20
health experts from across the subregion, "Health Conditions in the=20
Caribbean" (SP 561) is anticipated to be available in August, 1997.=20
The list price for this publication is US$ 36.00.
=20
PAHO is pleased to offer HDD Flash subscribers a 10% pre-publication=20
discount. To order, mail your check or money order for US$ 32.40, plus=
=20
$7.00 s&h, along with shipping information and quantity desired. Includ=
e a=20
copy of this promotion (Ref. HDDF01) and mail to:
PAHO Sales and Distribution Center
PO Box 27
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0027, U.S.A.
=20
Or, expedite your order using Visa or MasterCard: send order=20
information, plus card account no./ expiration date, and fax to (301)=
=20
206-9789, or E-mail to paho@pmds.com. Reference promotion HDDF01.
=20
Visit PAHO's web site at http://www.paho.org, click on publications,=20
or E-mail sales@paho.org, for more information.
=20
=09=09=09##################
=20
Amy O. Tsui, Judith N. Wasserheit, and John Haaga (eds.), Reproductive=
=20
Health in Developing Countries: Expanding Dimensions, Building Solution=
s,=20
National Academy Press.
=20
This is the final report of the Panel on Reproductive Health, a=20
multidisciplinary, international group of experts commissioned by the=
=20
Committee on Population of the National Research Council/National Acade=
my=20
of Sciences.
=20
The panel, chaired by Tsui and Wasserheit, was asked to assess the
magnitude of reproductive health problems in developing countries and
what is known about the effectiveness and costs of interventions to dea=
l
with them. Its work was funded by the US Agency for International
Development, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, and the William and Flora
Hewlett Foundation.
=20
The report deals with policies and programs to promote healthy sexualit=
y,
healthy pregnancy and childbearing, and to prevent reproductive tract
infections and sexually transmitted diseases and unintended births.
Cross-cutting themes include lessons learned about program design and
delivery, costs and financing.
=20
The volume (ISBN 0-309-05644-6, 328 pp. 6X9, index, hardbound) is
available for $44.95 plus shipping and handling charge ($4.00 for first
book, $0.50 for each additional book) from National Academy Press, 2101
Constitution Avenue NW, Lockbox 285, Washington DC 20055 (phone
800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313; fax 202-334-2451). Order via Internet at
http://www.nap.edu.
=20
The volume is available on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu or
http://www2.nas.edu/cpop.
=20
=09=09=09##################
=20
Bobadilla, J.L., C. A. Costello, and F. Mitchell (eds.). Premature Deat=
h in=20
the New Independent States, The National Academy Press
=20
The volume includes selected papers originally presented at workshops o=
n=20
adult mortality and health priorities in the countries of the former So=
viet=20
Union, organized by the Committee on Population of the National Researc=
h=20
Council/ National Academy of Sciences and funded by the US Agency for=
=20
International Development (USAID). The chapters in the first two secti=
ons=20
of the volume deal with mortality levels and trends, causes of death,=
=20
issues of data quality, and the epidemiologic transition. A final sect=
ion=20
includes chapters on major risk factors associated with the alarming fa=
ll=20
in life expectancy, especially for adult men -- alcohol and tobacco use=
and=20
poor diets -- and on possible lessons from public health programs both =
in=20
the New Independent States and elsewhere. The volume should interest=
=20
demographers, epidemiologists, and health policy analysts working on an=
y of=20
the formerly socialist economies of Eurasia.
=20
Copies of the report (ISBN 0-309-05734-5, 404 pages paperback, 6X9,
index) are available ($59.00, plus $4.00 shipping and handling for the
first book and $0.50 for each additional book) from National Academy
Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Box 285, Washington DC 20055, or by
phone (800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313) or Internet (http://www.nap.edu).
=20
The full text of the report is available on the Internet
(http://www.nap.edu or from the Committee on Population site,
http://www2.nas.edu/cpop).
=20
=09=09=09##################
Post, May. Preventing Maternal Mortality through Emergency Obstetric Ca=
re
Academy for Educational Development, 1997.
=20
The Safe Motherhood Initiative, launched in 1987, aimed to reduce the
number of maternal deaths by the year 2000. In 1996, new estimates of
maternal mortality and indicated that 80,000 more women died from
complications of pregnancy and labor than earlier estimates had
suggested. The majority of maternal deaths seem to be directly due to
obstetric complications such as hemorrhage, unsafe abortion,
hypertensive disorders, sepsis, and obstructed labor.
=20
To date, the focus of safe motherhood programs in most countries has
been on delivery of maternal services rather than emergency obstetric
care (EOC). The challenge in reducing maternal mortality is to
concentrate on improving efficient delivery of care for emergency
obstetric complications in addition to ongoing maternal health care
services. Preventing Maternal Mortality through Emergency Obstetric
Care discusses the barriers to timely and appropriate EOC, lessons
learned and best practices for improving EOC, the cost of EOC, and
research needs and information gaps. The report recommends intervention=
s=20
that can be effectively carried out at various levels of the
health system starting from the community itself and community-level
facilities to private sector providers, donors, program managers, and
policymakers.
=20
Preventing Maternal Mortality through Emergency Obstetric Care
May Post, Academy for Educational Development,
SARA Project
Washington, D.C. (April 1997)
21 pp - also available in French
=20
To request a copy of Preventing Maternal Mortality through
Emergency Obstetric Care, please contact:
SARA Project
Academy for Educational Development
1255 23rd St., NW
Washington, DC 20037 USA
Tel: (202) 884-870
Fax: (202) 884-8701
email: sara@aed.org
The full text is also available in the HDDFLASH archive under filename =
=20
aed002.
=20
***********************************************************************=
*** =20
=20
=09 =09=09REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL=09=09=09
=20
***********************************************************************=
***
=20
Health Alliance/USAID Seek US Health Care Institutions and Systems for
Partnership Projects in the Russian Federation
=20
WASHINGTON, DC -- The American International Health Alliance, Inc. (AI=
HA)
and the USAID announce the planned expansion of their health care=20
partnership program with up to three new short-term partnerships in the=
=20
Russian Federation. AIHA is soliciting expressions of interest from=20
qualified US health care institutions and systems willing to devote=20
substantial in-kind resources, mainly in the form of human resources=20
committed on a voluntary basis, to a one-year partnership project with=
=20
counterparts in the Russian Federation. US institutions and systems to =
be=20
considered will be those which have already-existing programs with Russ=
ian=20
counterpart institutions and which have demonstrated a clear commitment=
=20
and capacity to develop a health care improvement project at the=20
institutional or system level for which supplementary funding is critic=
al=20
to achieve effective completion. In addition, the US partners should b=
e=20
prepared at the end of one year to document and disseminate significant=
=20
outcomes from the implementation of the partnership project.
=20
The new health care partnerships will be part of an ongoing health care
development program financed through USAID and managed by AIHA which
includes forty partnerships in eleven republics of the New Independent
States (NIS) and in nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
AIHA partnerships have enabled American health care providers to work w=
ith
their colleagues abroad to address significant mortality and morbidity
issues, improve health care organizations and introduce market-oriented
solutions to health system delivery problems. The partnership program
emphasizes professional exchanges involving physicians, nurses,
administrators and technicians. AIHA partnerships also collaborate wit=
h
related ministries of health, local and regional health systems
administrations, and schools of health sciences to ensure that critical
areas of health education and administration are adequately addressed a=
t
these higher institutional levels, and that the capacity to carry out=
=20
other developmental assistance efforts is enhanced.
=20
The funding cycle for these new partnership projects will be for one ye=
ar,
beginning approximately September 1, 1997 through August 31, 1998. =20
Funding will be established and monitored against a clearly defined=20
workplan directed toward a significant improvement in health care servi=
ces=20
management or organization. Proposed projects should facilitate a heal=
th=20
care delivery system which emphasizes cost-effective and efficient=20
integration of ambulatory and inpatient care within the broad context o=
f=20
public health.The workplan must reflect strong collaboration and mutual=
ly=20
agreed upon objectives and strategies between the US and Russian partne=
rs.
=20
AIHA/USAID funding supplements the voluntary and in-kind contributions =
of
the partners and their respective communities in the US and abroad.
Existing AIHA partnerships have leveraged nearly three dollars for ever=
y=20
US government dollar expended. AIHA/USAID funds mainly support travel =
and
other costs essential in establishing and realizing the full potential =
of
each partnership's specific project. Awards under this program are no=
t
expected to exceed $50,000 each. AIHA staff in Washington, DC and in th=
e
Russian Federation will provide logistical support and assist in=20
monitoring the progress of the partnerships.
=20
Interested US partners must have the willingness and capacity to meet t=
he
specific health care delivery needs described above, and must satisfy t=
he
following criteria:
=20
-- Be institution-based -- e.g., a hospital or group of hospitals, scho=
ols
of health professions, a managed cared organization or other consortia =
of
health care providers. If a group of institutions is involved, a lead
institution must be designated;
=20
-- Be supported by the institution's senior leadership and Board and=20
clearly identify an overall partnership coordinator;
=20
-- Make substantial voluntary commitment to the partnership through a
significant contribution of resources, including human resources;
=20
-- Actively involve the local community served by the US partners,=20
including any significant emigre community that may be present;
=20
-- Share information openly and participate fully in AIHA's efforts to
exchange information with other US/NIS and US/CEE partnerships through =
the
AIHA Partnership Clearinghouse and dissemination conferences and semina=
rs;
=20
-- Adhere to AIHA's rigorous objective-setting and results-oriented
approach, including:
=20
(a)=09Enter into a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and work
within the overall coordination and guidance of AIHA and its designated=
=20
program coordinator;
=20
(b)=09Develop demonstration-type interventions with significant trainin=
g
components and capacity for replication;
=20
(c)=09Establish mechanisms (such as training programs and conferences)
for the diffusion of partnership successes; and
=20
(d) Participate in regular program evaluations to assess partnership=20
progress and achievements.
=20
Health care institutions and systems wishing to be considered for
participation in the new one-year Russian partnership projects should
submit proposals (15 pages maximum) by August 1, 1997 describing their
proposed project, projected outcomes, relevance as a model and potentia=
l=20
for replication, and detailing their interest and ability to carry out =
the
proposed project under the AIHA model. The statement should describe t=
he
institution=3Ds or system=3Ds prior and current commitments to their R=
ussian
counterparts, its commitment to the partnership program, the human and
material resources it will devote to the proposed project, and specific
strengths of both the institution and its Russian partner. Working wit=
h
USAID, AIHA will select the institution or groups of institutions which=
=20
best fulfill the criteria listed above and offer the greatest potential=
=20
for a successful project.
=20
Statements should be directed to:
=20
Mr. Donald W. Harbick
Director for NIS Programs
American International Health Alliance, Inc.
1212 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20005
=20
For additional information, please contact Mr. Harbick. Tel: (202)
789-1136, fax: (202) 789-1277, E-Mail: Donald@aiha.com
=20
=20
=09=09 =09 #####################
=20
WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Economics
Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University
=20
WHO 50th ANNIVERSARY
=20
Best Health Economics Essay Awards=20
=20
CALL FOR ENTRIES
=20
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of WHO, the Centre for Health=
=20
Economics, Faculty of Economics, Chulalongkorn University in
collaboration with WHO Geneva, SEARO and WHO Representative to Thailand=
,=20
we would like to invite competition for Best Health Economics Essay Awa=
rds=20
from nationals who are permanent residents of countries in Asia and the=
=20
Pacific.
=20
To be accepted an essay must be an original work which has neve=
r
been published anywhere. It must be written in English, A4 typed, with =
at
least 5,000 words which can be on all aspects of health economics.=20
Applicants to the competition must complete the Application Form which=
=20
must reach the Centre for Health Economics by 30 September 1997.=20
Application Form can be obtained from WHO Representative Office, Minist=
ry=20
of Health, and major universities in each country, or directly from the=
=20
Centre for Health Economics. The award of prizes will be adjudicated by=
an=20
independent international panel of experts in health economics. The Pan=
el=20
will reserve the right not to award any prize if no work is qualified.
=20
=20
For a copy of the application form, contact the address below. Applicat=
ion=20
and essay for the competition should reach the Centre for Health Econom=
ics=20
by 15 December 1997.
=20
Director
Centre for Health Economics
Faculty of Economics
Chulalongkorn University
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
=20
Tel: (66-2) 2186280/81
Fax: (66-2) 2186279
=20
E-mail: kamthong@chulkn.car.chula.ac.th
=20
=20
***********************************************************************=
*** =20
=20
=09=09=09JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS=09=09=09
=20
***********************************************************************=
***
=20
Institute for Advanced Studies in Immunology and Aging (IASIA)
1819 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006-3603
Telephone: (202) 333-8845
Fax: (202) 333-8898
=20
=20
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
=20
Immediately available
Reports to President
=20
Research Institute, small office in downtown DC, seeks a Program Direct=
or=20
to design and administer scientific and education meetings and symposia=
=2E
=20
The individual will work with the Board of Directors and Scientific=20
Advisory Committee, government representatives and other collaborators =
and=20
should have strong organizing and communications skills.
=20
A team player, the individual should have experience in providing staff=
=20
leadership in managing multiple tasks within an organization and will b=
e=20
responsible for generating most of his/her word processing. The=20
individual will have had previous experience in developing publications=
,=20
including design, editing, coordination of printing and distribution.
=20
Computer skills should include formatting, graphics, and database entry=
=2E
Previous experience in fund raising will be a plus.
=20
Salary: high twenties - low thirties, depending on experience.
=20
Please fax resume and cover letter or a request for a copy of job=20
description to 202-333-8898.
=20
IASIA is a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Aging and=
=20
Health
=20
=20
PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR/SECRETARY:
=20
Duties: as coordinator for Influenza/Pneumonia Adult Vaccine Action Gro=
up,=20
the individual will coordinate and evaluate meetings and projects, lias=
e=20
with partners of advocacy group; prepare and distribute reports; some=
=20
travel. As office administrator, individual will have excellent comput=
er=20
skills, some bookkeeping, manage database, phone and fax, desktop=20
publishing. IASIA prefers to fill these two part-time positions with o=
ne=20
full-time person.
=20
Qualifications: MPH or Health Educator or related field with 3-6 years=
=20
experience in public health, health ED or related. =20
=20
Salary: high 20s. =20
=20
Fax cover and resume to (202) 333-8898 or mail:=20
IASIA, Suite 400, 1819 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20006.=20
=20
=20
=20
=20