MANILA, Philippines - The GE Foundation is partnering with the Ministries of Health in Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar to implement programs that will improve access to healthcare throughout these countries. The projects are defined through collaboration with ministries of health based on pressing needs. Projects include improving infrastructure in technology and training at public hospitals and clinics, increasing the pipeline of primary care physicians in the public sector, and improving maternal and newborn care to reduce infection and mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 800 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth and 99 percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries.
Developing Health Globally was launched in 2004 and has partnered with ministries of health in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia to improve access to quality healthcare for more than 15 million people worldwide. GE Foundation president and chairman Bob Corcoran said, “The GE Foundation is pleased to expand Developing Health Globally to include Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. We are collaborating with Jhpiego to reduce maternal and newborn sepsis and improve maternal care, and Engineering World Health to develop biomedical equipment technician training (BMET). We are dedicated to working in concert with ministries of health in the region on their most pressing health challenges.â€
Key program features of Developing Health Globally include:
• In Indonesia, the GE Foundation is partnering with the Ministry of Health to help increase the care and survival rates of pregnant women and newborns through mobile technology, and build the pipeline of primary care physicians in rural areas. Program partners include Jhpiego, and the Office of President’s Special Envoy on MDGs.
• In Myanmar, the GE Foundation will partner with the Ministry of Health and Jhpiego to decrease maternal sepsis at government operated, district-level hospitals and health centers, as well as strengthen other aspects of maternal care.
• In Cambodia, the GE Foundation is partnering with Engineering World Health, Assist International and the Ministry of Health to upgrade the technology at Calmette Hospital as well as 30 other hospitals throughout Cambodia. This includes launching a BMET training program to improve maintenance capability for medical equipment across the country.
Jhpiego’s president and CEO, Dr. Leslie Mancuso added, “Jhpiego is thrilled for the opportunity to help prevent the needless deaths of mothers and babies in Myanmar and Indonesia. In partnership with the Ministries of Health and supported by the GE Foundation, Jhpiego is committed to innovative solutions so women and their children can survive childbirth and thrive.â€
Launched in 2004, Developing Health Globally has helped to upgrade medical infrastructure and build human capacity in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The program so far has invested more than $80 million in key areas like biomedical repair, maternal and child health, trauma and surgical care. Additional information and news on Developing Health Globally can be found on www.developinghealthglobally.com.