NGO Involvement in the Improvement of Health Services in OIC Member Countries Brief Status of Muslim Aid

NGO role in improving health services Capacity building Awareness raising Act as link between community and government Improve coverage of health care services

Strategies NGOs can use to collaborate with the public sector Capitalise on donor preference for: a)Integrating NGOs into local heath sector b)Consortiums Drawing on advocacy skills of member organisations Utilising the NGO strengths for Health systems Improve health awareness and improve healthy behavior

Examples of how NGO role can help improving health services: Malaria is one of the worst example of the damage that transmissible disease can wreak. About 3.2 billion people are at risk of malaria. In 2000 Malaria killed 850,000 people a year Through campaign between 2000 and 2015, the malaria incidence (the rate of new cases) has fallen globally by 37% Death rate fell by 60% globally among all ages and 65% among children.

The Gates Foundation, an American charity reckons: Eradicating malaria would bring the world $2 trillion of benefits by 2040

Muslim Aid Strengths as an FBO Passion and commitment for serving the humanity Humanitarian services in emergency Strong Community Mobilization & Community Empowerment Community acceptance - Acceptability Provision of services to marginalized & most vulnerable and deprived communities Addressing Accessibility issues of targeted communities by provision of services at their doorsteps Addressing Availability issues of targeted communities by providing package of health care services Need based interventions

Case Study 1: Bangladesh MABFO Health Services Area covered – 35 Upazilas under 14 Districts  Number of People served – 4,089,142 (4.9 million)  Reproductive health Service – 255,742  Reducing Child Mortality and Mobility – 167, 718  Improving Nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mother and under five children – 69, 537  Promoting environmental and personal Hygiene practices – 1,136,905  Prevention and Treatment of Common Illness – 872,488  School based Nutritional services – 1,576,752 Partners: Bangladeshi government + (MAHQ, USAID, WHO, UNICEF, WFP, EU, UKAid, AmeriCares) Fund Utilized: USD 56.2 million

Case Study 1 Bangladesh (contd.) Monitoring Nutritional Status at the Community level Hand Washing at School Level Photo: Muslim Aid’s Health worker measuring BMI n Community level

Case Study 2: Pakistan Results Ulema Congregation in Peshawar for Immunization Program Support Involvement of Religious Leaders  Walk and campaign with RLs and Health Department representatives  14,784 Chronic religious refusals covered by active engagement of RLs

Case Study 2: Pakistan Effectiveness of Immunization Programme (EIP) Overview Regions: Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA )and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Organisation: National Research & Development Foundation - NRDF Funded: UNICEF Objectives: Increase equity in Immunization Activities  Involving Male & Female Religious Leaders (RLs) in EPI Activities in 11 Districts of KPK & FATA Mapping of chronic refusal among RLs, mosques & faith schools at target districts Formation of District Core Groups of RLs Awareness Seminars for School Teachers Involvement of Male and Female RLs Distribution of IEC material, Booklets and Flyers Awareness Walks for Immunization and engagement masses in camp

Post Campaign – Chronic Refusals became Strong Supporters - Acceptability RLs in action for Polio Eradication!

Challenges and obstacles to the development of integrated NGO approach External No political will/Lack of government support Weak local government Restriction due to NGO reliance on donor funds Service coverage due to rise of non-state actor (terrorist/freedom fighters) Communities un-willingness to accept health services Internal Strengthening the communication system/processes between NGOS Individual alignment with goal of collective Addressing organizational and structural weaknesses Overcoming religious, political and other differences between parties Problems associated with administering joint programmes

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