The utmost goal of global health has been to increase access to goods and services that might improve health outcomes. Global health care is understood to mean the provision of a set of health services to marginalized populations in resource-poor areas of the world. In that regard, endeavors to address the unmet needs of those facing both poverty and serious illness have expanded significantly over the past few years.
In the same context, the Harvard-Rwanda Global Health Delivery Field Course was held at the Rwinkwavu Center for Training and Operational Research from June 18 to 22, 2013. The course was hosted by Harvard Medical School and Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima in collaboration with Ministry of Health of Rwanda.
The overarching aim of the GHD Field Course in Rwanda is to empower a new generation of providers, policymakers and thought leaders from around the world to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in global health. It’s an experience-based course that aims to train health professionals in principles of high-value health care delivery using a multidisciplinary approach and each session is based on a case study that represent an immersive learning experience. Drawing on Rwanda’s unique experiences and a variety of international case studies, the course providers developed a novel pedagogical framework to address both the global burden of disease and the complexity of its inter-related social determinants.
In that rigorous and stimulating field and classroom environment, it has been a great and inspiring experience and a good opportunity for me to:
- Deeply understand the concept of global health delivery, health care delivery successes and problems in resource-poor settings to contribute to improvement of health outcomes among those who do not yet enjoy ready access to high-value health care.
- Acquire more knowledge and skills in Global health arena which will enable me as a healthcare professional to design, implement and improve delivery programs and tools that maximize health benefits for vulnerable communities.
- Learn directly from Rwandan policymakers leading innovative efforts to increase access and quality while decreasing costs.
- Analyze case studies that detail the design, operations and outcomes of projects to improve health care delivery in resource-poor settings.
- Engage in deep discussions about how epidemiology, culture, economics and politics inform the design and performance of global public health programs.
- Evaluate the role of strategic analysis and the use of frameworks such as care delivery value chain analysis in solving delivery challenges.
- Network and interact with various healthcare professionals and academics with diverse backgrounds to learn from their experiences and showcase our success stories.
“Everything you see here has been done through collaboration and taking on problems.”
— Opening Remarks, GHD 2013, Dr. Paul Farmer, Co-founder of PIH
“When PIH started treating HIV, the battle was never just about HIV. It was about fighting inequality & promoting justice…” Dr. Joia Mukherjee,PIH Executive clinical director
“GHD is about equity. If you ignore equity you don’t have effectiveness.” Dr Peter Drobac, Executive Director of PIH, Rwanda
“The GHD Course: An authentic and effective capacity building for the health sector, meant to break the vicious cycle of poverty and disease.”
— Honorable Minister of Health, DrAgnes Binagwaho
I’m grateful to Partners In Health for bringing such an innovative and important course in Rwanda and for having given me an opportunity to participate in the GHD field course 2013. I’m grateful to GHC for empowering the Global Health Leaders of tomorrow through the GHC fellowship. Together, we can mitigate social inequities and make the world a better place to live in.