Global Health Initiatives is an innovative concept. It was first launched at the CGI annual meeting in Washington, during which time the organization became known as the Gates Foundation. Since then, the Gates Foundation has been working on global health issues with a view to strengthen global health, fight poverty, and prevent the worst effects of global health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, childhood diseases, and obesity. The global health challenges faced by mankind today have become much worse with the spread of infectious diseases, climate change, and lack of infrastructure. This has resulted in poor nutrition and health care, reduced life expectancy and a rise in morbidity and mortality.
Global Health Initiatives
Global Health Initiatives is an interdisciplinary effort, undertaken by governmental, non-governmental organizations, academia, civil society, and the business to counter the worst challenges and available opportunities facing the global health system today. These global health programs address the neglected aspects of healthcare delivery that has been traditionally found to focus more on the physical rather than the psychological and social aspects of health. The major areas addressed by Global Health Initiatives include prevention and control of communicable diseases; promotion of better nutrition and physical activity; development of community-based prevention, management, and control measures; improvement in the global health workforce and utilization of information technology. The Gates foundation has provided funding for a number of global health programs developed by international organizations.
Innovative solutions
At present, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions to all these problems, as the global health system continues to fail the most vulnerable populations. AIDS is one of the major killers in poor countries that suffer from poor public health systems and weak government. Some of these countries have a history of poor health, including poverty, child mortality, lack of basic facilities and poor health management. Many children die from AIDS or other AIDS-related illnesses because they are not receiving adequate medical attention. Other diseases affecting the most vulnerable groups include cervical, viral, and transmittable cancers. An effective program addressing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases for vulnerable populations is urgently required.
Concerned governments and NGOs
There are numerous government agencies and NGOs that are providing support to improve the quality of life of these global health professionals work for. With the increasing aging population and limited resources, the health budgets are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of these service providers. Health emergencies are also occurring at an alarming rate in underdeveloped countries. It is important for concerned governments and NGOs to co-ordinate their response to provide for the health needs of these communities.
Effective global health advocacy
The need for effective global health advocacy and public health education in developing countries is pressing. A shortage of funds is one of the key reasons for the failure of these programs. The need for safe and affordable healthcare services is also a key factor in the failure of many of these projects. In some developing countries, the primary education and healthcare systems are not yet developed enough to provide quality medical care and prevention services. As a result, many people do not know how to access quality health care and face major health issues. The lack of information and exposure to quality programs leads to inaccessibility of effective cures and cure.
