Guest - May 16, 2006

For me, a well established communication cannot only be attained by having country offices. The most important one is that we should have;
1. A point or focal person within the organization who can take charge of a given country.
2. A well established FEEDBACK MECHANISM, this can help us monitor issues and problem within the country where projects of GF are being implemented.
3. A good social marketing strategy/ plan on GF programs and activities and an adaptable and suitable monitoring tool should be in formulated.

I'm sorry for my limited participation for the past week, thanks for considering my opinion, these are actually based on my experience and perception. I hope that we can still continue sharing ideas, maybe on second part (if there is) of e-forum.

Thank you very much,

I am,

Dioscoro "kokoi" Domingo, RN, MD, MPH
Health Care Delivery System Expert

Stephen van Houten - May 16, 2006

Dear Friends,

It is good to see this question being raised because it is important in terms of the mandate and delivery of the GF's work. I sense that the answer to this question is not simple and that it requires a mutli-level response. Some thoughts:

1. A communication strategy needs to be developed. As part of this, a specific resource-limited communication strategy.
2. A target audience needs to be highlighted.
3. A survey (SSMs and LFAs) would highlight current problems and suggestions.
4. CMAs need to be strengthened.
5. Clarification on the issue of partnerships between CCMs, government, NAPs, and NGOs, CBOs, & FBOs. It is important that government role is limited in these partnerships.
6. I know that this is a controversial issue, but country offices need to be considered. At least, regional offices that can look after these issues.
7. Specific communication tools need to be considered. Here I would use technology sparingly and rely on more traditional paper- and meeting-based tools. The management of this might be more difficult than setting it up.

Sammi Fredenburg - May 16, 2006

S.N,Durga Bhatt. - May 16, 2006

The main course of action is on the basis of stimutating information systems from the root to root process. The Global Fund has to take a new advanced technic that is to focus on the ground, and promoting members involvement on a swing . The trend has to be uplift to the new era by making committed advancements through the member countries and the scenario shall be improved through training courses to the involved .

Guest - May 15, 2006

Communication is very important, GF should not lose contact with registered eforum members. Let GF be heard loudly in CNN, BCC and local news, involve academic institutions (medical schools), public health instititutions, use of e mail etc. GSM will do a lot.

Dr Saka M.J

Dr. Joseph S. Mambo - May 15, 2006

Truly, the communication factor is worth a mention as far as developing countries are concerned. A good example is communicating to peasants of rural communities in sub-Saharan countries. Internet services are not in access, mobiles phones are dreams, radios and TVs are for the elite.
My suggestion is that, CCMs in collaboration with the Ministries for Health are solely concerned in making sure that education has sunk to the grassroots, regardless of any differences. The GF has to make sure that it has country represenatives for M&E duties. That, along with other suggestions aired by my peers would maintain resource mobilization and advocacy.

bcaregyca - May 15, 2006

Greetings from B'Care India- Surya Prakash Makarla/Developing Country NGO delegate.

Dear Friends
Its my first response in this Global Fund e-forum. I feel good and wish to share my thoughts for the above queries.
Communication: We all know, is in crisis and has to be lifted up in as many ways as possible. It is pity to say that Global Fund does not have country offices, however and may be to conserve the funds the CCMs, principal recipients and sub recipients should take up this responsibility, at least in terms of "communication". They should act as focal points across the country and form a group in the internet that disseminates and improves understanding of what the Global Fund is and how it works, etc. These in-country focal points shall enable and stimulate more active resource mobilization involvement from their own countries on behalf of the Global Fund. We can also create partnerships with as many civil societies/ NGOs as possible, as "Nodal points" inside the states/ province of a country.
All the communication can be controlled or moderated by a "Lead Communication focal point of respective country" LCFP. This LCFP of every country should have a direct access to the Global Fund office or Board members or alternates, local groups (like Yahoogroups: Global Fund group India) etc. There is also a need for the inspector general and the portfolio manager to access through the LCFP of respective country. I hope with all these hands togather we can overcome the lacuna in "Communication".

Imagine friends what would be the face of developing countries like India, with very poor communication. This is the consequence when the 1/10 civil societies/+ ve Networks CCMs are suppressed by the 9/10 CCMs nominated mostly from Ministry of Health, Government of India, inturn, which is least bothered about the awareness of the Global fund for the public. I really have this question, why these people living with HIV/AIDS get suppressed by the Government authorities? The money is meant for PLWHA or TB or Malaria victims. They should play vital role and none should have an authority on them.

I really feel we should abolish Government authority over the Civil societies/+ networks / NGOs because government is like a CHAMELEON that frequently change its colours with different political leaders.

Therefore, the best solution is that the "Global Fund" should take up that authoritative role or the "Donors" should form a coalition to handle it. This will not only improve the "Communication" but also abolish "Corruption".
_________________
Surya Prakash Makarla

V.T. S Chitimbire - May 15, 2006

This topic is very important taking into account that a lot of Global Health Fund activities are taking place, yet a lot people and organizations are still not so sure what the Global Health Fund does and how they can access the funds.
Of those who know there are still some grey areas in understanding how the Global Health Fund functions and what is required of them by the Global Fund to facilitate the smooth running of the Fund for the intended beneficiaries.
Communication hence, becomes very critical particularly to 1. Direct countries and keep them abreast of GF activities and developments. 2. Appraise then on funding memchanisms, resource mobilization and advocacy.
To address these issues, there are a number of suggestions I would like to put foward

1. Create and capacitate country offices to be funded through GF to carry out these activities.
2. Stregnthen the existing CCM secretariate offices by building their
capacities. The LFAs can assist CCMs in this areas for transparency in
the recruitment, selection and payment of salaries.
3. Utilise the LFAs and build thier capacities to manage this process since there are already established and internationally recognised companies
4. Tender Internationally recognized Auditing Companies do the job.

For local resource mobilization and Advocacy in country, International Agencies/Donors can come together and look at how countries can be assisted. These country based internationals are already aware of Global Health Fund operational structures and those of the countries they work in.
These can liase with other NGO, CBOs and FBO to come up with best strategies to facilitate information and communication as well as for resource mobilization and advocacy,
Government through the Ministries of health and their National Aids Councils can also play a role in coming up with workable national strategies to reach targeted beneficiary.
This process will need good governace structures from all concerned. The local Fund Agencies should play a major role in setting up these processes and also in the log term be responsible for M&E and Audits, if not nominated to be responsible to facilitate both processes.
_________________
WORKING WITH A FBO NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION. OUR WORK FOCUSES HEALTH PARTICULARLY IN THE RURAL AREAS AND ON IMPROVING THE HEALTH STATUS OF RURAL PEOPLE THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING WORKING WITH CHURCHES AND MISSION HOSPITALS.

May 15, 2006

Given that the Global Fund does not have country offices, what can be done to improve communication with and between developing countries, in order to:
1. Improve understanding of what the Global Fund is and how it works,
2. Stimulate more active resource mobilization involvement from these countries on behalf of the Global Fund?,

The issue of communication has been raised several times on the eForum during previous weeks. Although the Global Fund has a website rich in content, in countries with poor connectivity and infrastructure, the Web is not always the most effective tool to reach out to broad or targeted audiences. What alternative media could be used (print publications, radio, SMS messages, email, etc.) and what partnerships could be considered by the Global Fund to address this very important issue?