Panel discusses approaches for forging strategic alliances with faith-based
organizations to improve maternal and newborn health
01 December 2005
Washington, DC – The
ACCESS Program, in partnership with the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), hosted a panel
discussion on the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in maternal
and neonatal health November 30. The panelists shared successful approaches
for forming alliances with FBOs to provide maternal and newborn health care,
and discussed the advantages and challenges of partnering with various FBO networks.
The speakers—Frank Baer
(IMA World Health);
Mary Hennigan (Catholic Relief Services);
Memooma Hasnain (University of Chicago);
W. Meredith Long (World Relief); and
Nahed Matta (USAID)—discussed the vast role
and history of FBOs in the global health arena. The speakers highlighted that, despite their
century old history of providing high-quality health care, FBOs do not receive ample
recognition and support (training and financial) from non-faith donors, governments and
other stakeholders.
For instance, although FBOs cover approximately 30–50% of the health services
in several African countries, mapping of these FBOs has yet to be completed. Baer discussed
the ongoing mapping efforts of IMA World Health, the Global Religious Health
Assets Mapping (an initiative of the Christian Connection for International Health) and
other partners to allow for a more coordinated response to disasters and greater integration
of services across the FBO and government networks.
In several countries, FBOs have worked for years with Ministries of Health
in effective partnership, a relationship that energizes both networks and enables them to
offer cost-effective health care at a high technical level. As an example, Hennigan
introduced the "Healthy Household Toolbox" in development by Catholic Relief Services.
This toolbox includes resources for improving the physical, social and financial health
of households.
Attendees discussed the affect of religion on access to health care and on
the relationship between providers and patients. Ms. Hasnain highlighted the fact that,
although Islam respects gender equity and freedom of education, the majority of women in
Muslim countries suffer from gender inequity, low education and low health status. These
women remain economically vulnerable, deprived of civil rights and subjected to gender
violence leading to higher incidences of maternal and newborn mortality.
Long presented the volunteer-driven model implemented by World Relief in
several countries to improve the health of families and communities. By incorporating
faith and technical expertise, this model differs from approaches used by international
nongovernmental organizations. Long stressed the importance of allowing various faiths
to draw from their own faith traditions.
In her closing remarks, Matta stressed the importance of partnerships between
FBOs to share lessons learned, and emphasized that ACCESS will continue to work with FBOs
at the country level to strengthen their roles in addressing maternal and neonatal health issues.
About ACCESS
The ACCESS Program is the U.S. Agency for International Development’s
global program to improve maternal and newborn health. The ACCESS Program works to expand
coverage, access and use of key maternal and newborn health services across a continuum
of care from the household to the hospital—with the aim of making quality health services
accessible for women and newborns.
Jhpiego implements the program in partnership with Save the
Children, Constella Futures, the Academy for Educational Development, the American
College of Nurse-Midwives and IMA World Health.
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