Faith-based health initiatives: Panacea for sustainable healthcare development in developing countries- the EMD model

Ifeolu Joseph Falegan, MD;CertFH;DipCS, Admnistrative Office, ECWA Community Health Program, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ECWA Evangel hospital, ECWA Evangel Hospital Compound, Zaria Byepass, PMB 2238, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, +2348033296006, faleganji@yahoo.com
The health situation in Nigeria is representative of what exists in many developing countries. There is poor planning, lack of commitment by government to improve the poor health indices, apathy of the corporate community to the people's health needs, and widespread decay in the existing health infrastructure. Health workers go on strike incessantly, drugs are not available in many public hospitals and there is widespread quackery. The ECWA (Evangelical Church of West Africa) Medical Directorate (EMD) is a faith-based initiative designed (after several consultations and research) to turn the tide and bring sustainable healthcare development free of decay, bureaucratic bottlenecks and epileptic services to Nigerians. The EMD is made up of several institutions: the School of Health Technology which trains community health workers; the ECWA Community Health Program which brings health to the grassroots; the Evangel Hospital which runs one of the best Family Medicine training program in the country; an Eye Hospital where world class eye surgeries are done; the Vesico-Vaginal fistula center (one of its kind in the country), the Family Health Program sponsored by Packard foundation, the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Egbe ECWA Hospital, among others. The EMD collaborates with the WHO, Engenderhealth, the UNDP, the Packard foundation, the Netherlands Leprosy and TB program, Christoffel Blindenmission and so on to bring quality healthcare to the people of Nigeria. Our success is the outcome of the implementation of evidenced-based policies. This presentation will share our experience and our hope for the future.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to
Describe the prevailing health situation in developing countries;
Articulate, clearly, the place of faith-based initiatives in providing healthcare in such countries;
Advocate increased participation of faith-based health initiatives in developing countries; and
Plan, as a beginner, a small scale health program for people in his faith community.
Keywords: Developing Countries, Faith Community
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.
Multi-faith Collaboratives: Partnerships To Improve Health Outcomes
The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA