Groups Honored for Work Combating Disease Worldwide
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August 13, 2003 (Oakland, CA) – As infectious diseases wreak havoc around the world, BAIDO (the Bay Area’s association of international development organizations) announced today its recognition of members’ extensive contributions to the field. BAIDO is highlighting the critical world issue of infectious disease treatment and prevention, as well as contributions by Bay Area residents and organizations. Three outstanding BAIDO members working in this area are World Neighbors, Child Family Health International and Global Partners for Development.
“Treatable infectious diseases – TB, fevers, and the like -- are some of the primary barriers to economic and social advancement in developing countries,” explained Dalya Massachi, Executive Director of BAIDO. “We are pleased to recognize the important work of World Neighbors, Child Family Health International and Global Partners for Development. Each of these organizations is a wonderful example of the commitment of BAIDO members to the world beyond our borders.” BAIDO organizations use development techniques that blend U.S. resources with community involvement in developing countries. “World Neighbors firmly believes that our programs are most successful when they combine our resources and staff with community participation,” said Gregg Biggs, Regional Development Manager in San Francisco. “For example, during the meningitis outbreak in Burkina Faso in 2000-2001, over 600 people got sick and 70 died in a district where we work (Yargatenga). Our staff trained community health workers who were then able to vaccinate an area with over 70,000 people in less than 48 hours – something neither we nor the local government could have done on our own.” The Burkina Faso Ministry of Health has since commended World Neighbors for its efforts and success in slowing the spread of meningitis. Child Family Health International places a similar value on the need for development efforts that blend advanced techniques with local communities and traditions. In late 1998, the San Francisco organization partnered with the village of Than Gaon, India to set up a small health clinic in the rural area. “The program has exceeded our expectations,” explained Amie Michalek, Outreach Director for CFHI. “In the past five years over 12,000 patients have gotten access to medical care. In 2002 alone, the clinic’s staff treated over 4,200 people and held over 16 health camps in the remote surrounding villages – all on a budget of less than $3,000 a year. The clinic and CFHI have been able to raise awareness of hygiene issues, immunization and the importance of preventive medicine.” In conjunction with the community, CFHI is working to provide sustainable, long-term healthcare in the region. Catherine Kirby, Managing Director with Global Partners for Development, explained a similar approach: “In East Africa, health and medical care issues are so interwoven with entrenched poverty and underdevelopment, that our programs are only as effective as the involvement of the local community. Through our US partnerships, Global Partners has delivered $1.4 million worth of medicines and supplies to clinics in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In one instance in Kenya, these donated supplies and our bi-monthly medical outreach program were the catalyst for the community to mobilize, training additional, local medical staff and building a new health clinic.” According to the World Health Organization, infectious diseases are the number one killer in developing countries, whereas they account for only 5-7% of deaths in industrialized nations. Worldwide, 25% of all deaths are due to infectious diseases, and low-cost prevention and/or treatment strategies are available for almost all of them. “We are proud of the excellent work of BAIDO member organizations in the critical field of infectious disease treatment and prevention,” emphasized Executive Director Dalya Massachi. “They are successfully partnering with communities around the world to exchange resources, knowledge and skills.” BAIDO (Bay Area International Development Organizations) is the network of 60 San Francisco Bay Area nonprofits doing international development work. For a full listing of member organizations visit http://www.baido.org/about/memberorgs.php. Individual Contacts: World Neighbors, Gregg Biggs, 415-648-9577, www.wn.org Child Family Health International, Amie Michalek, 415-957-9000, www.cfhi.org Global Partners for Development, Catherine Kirby, 707-588-0550, www.gpfd.org |
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