Editorial: Everybody’s business

Dear reader,

A key element of the strategy 2011-2015 recently adopted by the Annual Assembly of the Medicus Mundi International Network says: “We will focus joint ventures on issues related to health systems strengthening. Contributing to health system strengthening will be the common denominator of joint enterprises and political statements of our Network.”

I invite you to have a look at the WHO’s framework for action for strengthening health systems and at a very inspiring collection of resources by the Antwerp Institute for Tropical Medicine and some of their partners. The WHO framework for action itself is an open invitation – for us and others, as its main title reads as follows: “Strengthening Health Systems to improve health outcome: Everybody’s business”.

So let me turn the floor over to WHO Director General Margaret Chan. She states: “The world has never possessed such a sophisticated arsenal of interventions and technologies for curing disease and prolonging life. Yet the gaps in health outcomes continue to widen. Much of the ill health, disease, premature death, and suffering we see on such a large scale is needless, as effective and affordable interventions are available for prevention and treatment. The reality is straightforward. The power of existing interventions is not matched by the power of health systems to deliver them to those in greatest need, in a comprehensive way, and on an adequate scale. As health systems are highly context-specific, there is no single set of best practices that can be put forward as a model for improved performance. But health systems that function well have certain shared characteristics. They have procurement and distribution systems that actually deliver interventions to those in need. They are staffed with sufficient health workers having the right skills and motivation. And they operate with financing systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and fair. The costs of health care should not force impoverished households even deeper into poverty. Therefore the strategic importance of Strengthening Health Systems is absolute.” (foreword to WHO framework for action)

Any questions? We will soon have the opportunity to discuss them…

Thomas Schwarz, Executive Secretary
Medicus Mundi International Network

 

Health Systems Strengthening: Starting points

 

MMI Network: News, Events, Reports

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MMI Network news
EPN and ACHAP will join the Medicus Mundi International Network

Basel, 5 July 2010. In the two last weeks, the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) and the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) submitted their applications for membership in the Medicus Mundi International Network to the MMI secretariat. The formal decision on the admission of EPN and ACHAP will be taken by an extraordinary Assembly (3rd November 2010) of the Network.

Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) is a worldwide network of associations, institutions, and individuals who have an interest or are involved in the delivery of just and compassionate quality pharmaceutical services. EPN’s strategy seeks to strengthen the Church pharmaceutical sector and enhance interventions that improve people’s access to quality pharmaceutical services, informed by EPN’s experience of supporting church pharmaceutical systems for over two decades.

EPN website: www.epnetwork.org
EPN profile: MMI ePlatform

Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) is a networking forum for Christian Health Associations and Networks from Sub-Saharan Africa. The forum has been established through the inspiration and support of World Council of Churches. The core functions of the forum are coordinated by a Secretariat Office hosted by the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) in Nairobi. The forum’s core mandate is to facilitate networking and communication among Christian Health Associations (CHAs) and to create a stronger voice in advocacy. Various Christian Health Associations in Africa have a form of Christian Health Association or a Faith Based Group.

ACHAP website: www.africachap.org
ACHAP profile: MMI ePlatform

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MMI Network news
Bernd Pastors: 25 years with action medeor

Tönisvorst, 30 June 2010. “To contribute to an international relief agency was always my dream”, says Bernd Pastors. The dream has come true quite some time ago, as Bernd Pastors is celebrating his 25 years as a staff member of action medeor …and a bit more: In 1997 Bernd Pastors became director of action medeor and the main responsible for the agency’s programs. Since two years Bernd Pastors is also on the Board of the agency. (action medeor news release)

Congratulations, Dear Bernd, and all the best for your future work at action medeor – and as treasurer and dedicated board member of our Network!

www.medeor.org/Presse/Toenisvorst-30Juni-2010.html

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MMI Network meeting
Kick-off event for the Network Strategy 2011-2015
Amsterdam, 2-3 November 2010

The MM Network meeting planned as a starting point for the implementation of our Network Strategy 2011-2015 will take place at the headquarters of Wemos, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Thanks to Wemos for the kind invitation! A first announcement of the Network meeting is published on the MMI ePlatform. Please mark the dates in your agenda. Details will follow in September.

www.medicusmundi.org/en/contributions/events/2010/mmi-network-meeting

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MMI Network members
Annual Reports 2009 

Some members of the MMI Network recently published their annual reports on their websites:

AGEH: available in German (PDF)
Cordaid: available in Dutch (PDF)
Medicus Mundi Switzerland: available in German (PDF) and French (PDF).
Wemos: available in English (PDF) and Dutch (PDF)

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MMI Network resource
Treasure memories. A toolkit for solution focused memory work
Memory work helps people living with the HI virus or whose relatives are HIV-positive or have AIDS to confront and cope effectively with their personal situation, the disease, and an uncertain future. In cooperation with terre des hommes switzerland, aidsfocus.ch (the Swiss platform for HIV/AIDS and international cooperation coordinated by Medicus Mundi Switzerland) produced the new memory work toolkit “Treasure memories”. Available in English, French and Portuguese.

www.aidsfocus.ch/platform/projects/InternalProject.2010-06-29.1317

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