Modern medicine can work miracles but these amazing results generally require the support of trained professionals in order for them to be fully effective. Many countries have seen war, famine and disease shred the underlying medical infrastructure that once looked after the health of the population. An important part of any effort to provide health care to these underserved populations is the rebuilding of the underlying health systems organization.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative has been a genuine leader in these efforts to rebuild the delivery systems that funnel health services to populations that are in desperate need. Early on in its organizational life, CHAI realized that one of the most imminent needs in many countries was for an increase in the availability of modern medical laboratories. Since all successful medical treatment rests upon a proper diagnosis of the problem, it was essential that these laboratories be provided before any truly lasting relief could be rendered.
Even fully equipped laboratories are of no use unless they are staffed with trained personnel. The Clinton Health Access Initiative’s health systems organization works closely with local governments to provide a steady stream of qualified personnel who have the dedication, education, and support necessary for them to thrive in often-uncongenial environments. This may well be CHAI’s greatest achievement, given the fact that the world has a shortfall of nearly 4 million medical professionals.
On every front, the Clinton Initiative has made progress in bringing desperately needed health care to some of the world’s most underserved populations. CHAI has built clinics and laboratories, helped provide the trained personnel necessary to effectively operate them, and filled the shelves with medicines obtained at the lowest prices obtainable anywhere. While so much more remains to be done in the creation of this new health systems organization, CHAI can nevertheless look back on a full decade of amazing achievements.
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