NURS FPX 8014 Assessment 1 Nongovernmental Agencies Involved in Global Issues

Name

Capella university

NURS FPX 8014 Global Population Health

Prof. Name

Date

Non-governmental Agencies Involved in Global Issues

Maternal healthcare access is still a major worldwide health concern, especially in low-resource environments where maternal mortality rates are still high. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also called Doctors Without Borders, is one group working to address this issue. MSF offers emergency obstetric treatment in impoverished areas and conflict zones across the globe. In South Sudan, a nation with one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world, with 789 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births due to multiple factors like displacement, malnutrition, gender violence and disease outbreaks (Perera et al., 2023). The evaluation looks at how MSF is enhancing maternal health outcomes. The analysis will examine the organization’s impact to distinguish MSF’s strategy from government-sponsored initiatives.

Differences between NGOs and Government-Sponsored Programs

The structure, financing, decision-making, and operational focus of government-sponsored public health organizations and public health nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are different. NGOs are autonomous organizations that work voluntarily to address health emergencies, frequently stepping in when government authorities fail. Governmental public health organizations, conversely, are governed at the national or worldwide level, get funding from taxpayers, and are subject to administrative and political control (Gretebeck, 2021).

For instance, MSF is a public health organization prioritizing prompt and life-saving measures when providing medical aid in areas impacted by epidemics, catastrophes, and violence. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) is a government-sponsored organization that functions under the United Nations (UN) and focuses on disease surveillance, global health policy, and capacity-building through government cooperation. 

NURS FPX 8014 Assessment 1 Nongovernmental Agencies Involved in Global Issues

MSF was founded in 1971 by French journalists and physicians to offer objective, unbiased, and independent medical assistance in times of need. The organization’s response to the famines in Ethiopia in the 1980s and Nigeria in 1972 brought them international recognition. MSF now works in more than 70 countries, providing emergency medical care in areas hit by disease epidemics, refugee camps, and conflict zones (MSF, 2023b). Some key countries include Afghanistan, South Sudan, Yemen and Congo.

Malnutrition treatment and maternity and child health initiatives are the main priorities in South Sudan. They respond to measles and Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they offer surgery, trauma care, and disease prevention in Yemen. MSF maintains its operational and financial independence from state interference by relying mostly on private donations. In 2023, MSF raised over €2.3 billion (USD 2.5 billion) in financing, with institutional contributions accounting for 3% and individual contributors for 97%. To maintain openness, the group devotes about 80% of its funding to medical programs, with the remaining portion going toward administration, fundraising, and logistics (MSF, n.d.). 

MSF’s stakeholders include medical experts, donors, partner organizations, and local health workers. The organization has been supporting through mobile clinics, nutrition support, violence prevention support, and disease outbreak services for the residents, especially mothers. Based on professional credentials and crisis-response experience, the organization hires physicians, nurses, logisticians, and humanitarian relief professionals through an open application process. Because MSF is a volunteer organization, medical professionals of all political persuasions are welcome to donate. Individual and corporate donors financially support the organization without influencing its policies (MSF, n.d.).

Advantage of NGOs over Governmental Public Health Organizations

Compared to government-sponsored programs, public health NGOs offer several benefits, chief among them being their adaptability, autonomy, and focused strategy. NGOs are useful in crises like disease outbreaks and natural disasters because, unlike government programs, they can react quickly to crises without being held up by bureaucratic red tape (Gretebeck, 2021). Additionally, they have more operational autonomy, which enables them to operate in politically unstable areas like South Sudan or Yemen, where governments might not be able or want to deliver relief.

Furthermore, NGOs frequently target underprivileged and marginalized groups, reaching communities that government initiatives could miss because of financial, logistical, or political limitations. They can function independently of the government because of their funding sources, which include foreign grants and private donations, guaranteeing that aid is given based on need rather than politics (Abiddin et al., 2022).

Last but not least, NGOs usually work with neighborhood groups and communities, building trust and implementing long-lasting health initiatives that government programs would find difficult to carry out because of strict regulations and more significant administrative difficulties. In essence, NGOs outperform government-sponsored programs regarding education, social services, and health in rural areas; are more efficient and people-centered, widely available; and have better trust relationships with the community due to less bureaucratic delays (Abiddin et al., 2022).

Challenges of Public Health NGOs and Government-Sponsored Programs

Compared to government-sponsored initiatives, public health NGOs encounter difficulties such as unstable funding, scarce resources, and restricted access in conflict areas. NGOs like MSF rely largely on donations and grants, which might vary and affect long-term viability, in contrast to government programs that receive consistent income from taxes and public budgets. In high-risk regions like Yemen and South Sudan, where armed conflict and political unrest can impede travel and healthcare delivery, NGOs may also face logistical and security difficulties.

Notwithstanding their adaptability, NGOs frequently lack the extensive infrastructure and regulatory backing enjoyed by government initiatives, which may restrict their capacity to offer broad, sustainable solutions to global health problems. A study by Besançon et al. (2022) recommends enhancing government-NGO collaboration, reducing bureaucratic obstacles, and creating community-driven programs for sustainability.

Long-term impacts are all suggested ways to improve service delivery. It can only be done by understanding the reasons hampering the collaboration between government and NGOs, such as bureaucratic hold-ups and regulatory obstacles preventing prompt interventions. Sustainability problems are caused by competition for resources and funding, and inefficiencies can result from a lack of coordination and conflicting agendas. Effective collaboration is further complicated by issues with transparency, accountability, and data sharing (Rajabi et al., 2021).

Criteria for Public Health NGOs to Get Involved in a Health Issue

Public health NGOs consult experts, conduct field assessments, and analyze epidemiological data to decide whether to step in during a health emergency. Organizations such as MSF rely on information from the WHO, CDC, and local health ministries to evaluate disease outbreaks, rates of malnutrition, and statistics on maternal and infant mortality. For instance, WHO has provided demographic data regarding Sudan and the top ten mortality reasons among the female population, highlighting maternal conditions as the reason for 21.8% of deaths (WHO, 2024).

They rank interventions according to the severity and extent of the problem, such as the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the high rates of starvation in South Sudan, which has a direct impact on maternal health outcomes (MSF, 2023a). One important consideration is the level of demand; NGOs determine if government infrastructure is adequate or if outside assistance is needed. NGOs provide emergency care in areas of conflict, such as Yemen, Afghanistan, or Sudan, where healthcare systems have failed. Before committing to long-term projects, they also consider accessibility, political stability, and financial viability.

To approach an NGO like MSF for help, one must provide evidence-based data, such as case reports, community surveys, and health impact assessments, highlighting the gaps in healthcare services and their urgency. The argument for NGO involvement can also be strengthened by forming local alliances and promoting through humanitarian networks, guaranteeing focused and long-lasting actions.

Practicum Research and Interviewing Experience

Thanks to my practicum research and interviews, I better grasp the intricacies of public health institutions and service delivery. My research revealed that NGOs frequently cover crucial gaps in emergency response, especially in conflict zones like Sudan, where government infrastructure is weak. Initially, government-sponsored programs could address the majority of public health crises. One unexpected discovery was the speed at which NGOs like MSF mobilize compared to bureaucratic government organizations.

NGOs can react quickly to outbreaks, nutritional crises, and war-related trauma treatment in locations like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time, governments have long-term plans. This confirmed my suspicion that NGOs are more nimble, but I was unaware of how much their autonomy and financing enable prompt action.

This experience has strengthened my admiration for the joint efforts of NGOs and government organizations to improve public health systems. To guarantee effective healthcare delivery, I will concentrate my future professional activity on promoting collaborations between the two sectors, especially in places hit by disasters and conflicts where non-governmental organizations are vital to life preservation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MSF is essential in tackling maternal health in areas with limited resources, such as South Sudan, where government initiatives frequently encounter difficulties. MSF can deliver timely care because of its independence, adaptability, and rapid crisis response, especially in unstable and conflict-affected areas. Nonetheless, both government-sponsored initiatives and non-governmental organizations confront particular difficulties, and cooperation between the two might improve healthcare provision, particularly during emergencies. My experience highlights the significance of these collaborations in enhancing global health outcomes.

References

Abiddin, N. Z., Ibrahim, I., & Aziz, S. A. A. (2022). Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and their part towards sustainable community development. Sustainability, 14(8), 4386. mdpi. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084386 

Besançon, S., Sidibé, A., Sow, D. S., Sy, O., Ambard, J., Yudkin, J. S., & Beran, D. (2022). The role of non-governmental organizations in strengthening healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries: Lessons from Santé Diabète in Mali. Global Health Action, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2022.2061239 

NURS FPX 8014 Assessment 1 Nongovernmental Agencies Involved in Global Issues

Gretebeck, L. J. (2021). The emergence and role of nongovernmental organizations. The Palgrave Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility, 249–273. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42465-7_92 

MSF. (n.d.). Reports and finances. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International. https://www.msf.org/reports-and-finances 

MSF. (2023a). International Activity Report 2022. https://www.msf.org/sites/default/files/2023-07/international-activity-report-2022.pdf 

MSF. (2023b). Who we are. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International. https://www.msf.org/who-we-are?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2JG9BhAuEiwAH_zf3pBzCwrGCcwfNbtYe_TawQMKgiKtKv69jpcsPpW01mQsw35M_lNphRoCsrgQAvD_BwE 

Perera, S. M., Isa, G. P., Sebushishe, A., Sundararaj, P., Piccirillo, M. C., Xia, S., Amaya Langaigne, Ali, J., & Casey, S. E. (2023). “Midwives are heroes of the country”: qualitative evaluation of a midwifery education program in South Sudan. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2023.1215405 

Rajabi, M., Ebrahimi, P., & Aryankhesal, A. (2021). Collaboration between the government and nongovernmental organizations in providing healthcare services: A systematic review of challenges. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10(242), 242. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1312_20 

NURS FPX 8014 Assessment 1 Nongovernmental Agencies Involved in Global Issues

WHO. (2024). Sudan data. World Health Organization. https://data.who.int/countries/729