In addition to choosing straightforward, cost-effective program-based interventions, we’re also planning to identify two regions to study in detail. I’ve focused on finding priority region 1: an area that has both high and drastic disease burdens and relatively stable, low-corruption environments in which aid can likely be productive. This post details the criteria I used…
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Bednet use
In our analysis of bednet distribution programs, we considered the likelihood that a distributed bednet was ultimately used for its intended purpose: to protect against malaria. The Malaria Matters blog recently posted links to numerous examples of nets used for other purposes: Net stories include use for fishing in Zambia, as bridal veils in Zambia…
Donated technological equipment
Business Week writes: According to the World Health Organization, about half of the imaging equipment sent to developing countries goes unused because local technicians aren’t trained to operate it or lack the necessary spare parts. (H/t Aman at THDBlog) Is this possible? (Note: I tried to find the original WHO source and all I could…
Fistula
Coming across the current feature on the DCPP’s home page reminds me of how much I care about the issue of obstetric fistula. The following are highlights from the article linked above (emphasis mine): For countless women in developing countries, going into labor is the painful beginning of a lifetime of unremitting shame and misery…
Preventing blindness
Several people have recommended that we look at the Fred Hollows Foundation. We have been shown calculations implying that they are preventing or curing a person’s blindness for every $20-60 they spend. As we continue our research on developing-world aid, we checked them out a bit ourselves. The Fred Hollows Foundation’s programs include surgeries to…
Where to focus?
We haven’t seen – either in charities’ grant application materials or in our own independent research – much discussion of how organizations decide where to focus their resources. This question seems particularly important for international aid organizations, which often work in many regions all over the world (but by necessity have to ignore many more)….