How Global Health Corps is Transforming Healthcare in Developing Countries
Global Health Corps (GHC), an organization founded in 2008, has been working tirelessly to improve healthcare services in developing countries. The organization specializes in providing opportunities for young professionals to work on the frontline of global health and equipping them with the skills and experience needed to create change. GHC envisions a world where health equity is a reality for all, and their impact in the healthcare field is truly transformational.
What is Global Health Corps?
GHC’s mission is to mobilize a global community of emerging leaders to build the movement for health equity. Founded by Barbara Bush and her colleagues, the organization focuses on training young professionals at the intersection of the healthcare and social justice fields. GHC empowers these individuals to work on the frontlines of health equity in four key ways:
- Building leadership skills
- Creating a network of global health leaders
- Promoting health equity
- Supporting systemic change
GHC has worked with over 1000 fellows in more than 45 countries, and their impact has been transformative.
The Transformational Impact of GHC
GHC’s fellows are young professionals working on the frontlines of healthcare in developing countries. They bring with them a range of expertise and experience, from medicine and public health to law and policy. Fellows are assigned to a range of projects at health organizations, government agencies, and NGOs. Their work spans a variety of healthcare fields, from HIV/AIDS prevention to maternal and child health.
GHC enhances the impact of their fellows by providing a supportive network of global health professionals. Fellows are able to connect with each other at conferences and events, and receive ongoing training and mentorship from experienced global health professionals.
One of the most transformative impacts of GHC is the systemic change it fosters. Fellows work within existing healthcare systems, building capacity and expertise. They also advocate for systemic change, from policy development to healthcare financing models. In this way, GHC’s impact extends far beyond the tenure of a single fellow.
Case Study: GHC’s Impact in Rwanda
One example of GHC’s impact is the work done in Rwanda. GHC has been active in the country since 2011, and has placed over 60 fellows in health organizations across the country. Fellows have worked on projects ranging from improving emergency obstetric care to promoting health education in schools.
Through their work, fellows have had an incredible impact on healthcare in Rwanda. One example is the work done by GHC fellow Olivia Kungu, who was placed with the Rwandan Ministry of Health. Kungu developed a project to improve maternal and child health in the country by training community health workers. This project led to a decrease in maternal mortality and an increase in antenatal care attendance.
GHC’s impact in Rwanda has been transformative, and the organization continues to play a major role in improving healthcare in the country.
Conclusion
Global Health Corps is transforming healthcare in developing countries by providing young professionals with the skills and experience needed to create change. Through their work, GHC’s fellows are building the movement for health equity, promoting systemic change, and making a real impact on the frontline of healthcare. The organization’s vision of a world where health equity is a reality for all is becoming a reality, one fellow and one project at a time.
