Insights from International Intern

As I went as a volunteer down to work with Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala, I was excited to apply some of what I had learned in the Masters of Science in Public Health program at Johns Hopkins. It was also an opportunity to brush up on my Spanish. I was also looking forward to be challenged intellectually in an environment far from academia, and to enjoy the  beautiful highlands of Guatemala. I was looking forward to being on my own for six weeks and working with the great staff who are implementing an expansive program for health education and reducing risks for mothers and children.

A warm welcome by partner community

“very impressed with how much attention and work went into making the volunteers feel at home, comfortable, and providing meaningful, fun, and educational activities…”

I was rarely on my own, however, and helped as various volunteer groups visited and worked for Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala. Many asked on many occasions “your volunteer group is leaving today, are you sad to go? Oh, you’re staying? Que bueno!”  I was very impressed with how much attention and work went into making the volunteers feel at home. The place was comfortable, and provided meaningful, fun, and educational activities. Even with the language barrier for some volunteers, gratitude and respect is omnipresent in all.

Breathtaking location

Even in the rain, everyone agrees that the location is breathtaking and the people are incredible. My favorite place to work was the kitchen. This is not just because it is the warmest when the cold rainy season bested my three layers and long underwear, but also because the company and the chat is the most fun in the kitchen! The work is certainly challenging, but much easier when dedicated and passionate people surround you.

Cost effective projects

“…a cost effectiveness analysis shows the added cost and added benefit per population in the addition of a new program.”

As a student, I have focused on health systems and economic evaluation which led me to work with Dr. Henry Perry, my advisor at Hopkins and public health guru for Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala. The Child Survival project, one of three main projects run by Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala, has a cost effectiveness analysis aspect that has just begun as the project enters its last full year.

Cost effectiveness analysis is not just an explanation of finances and spending. It is rather a comparison among alternative program options of the impact and costs for a population. An outcome of a cost effectiveness analysis is the incremental cost effectiveness ratio to show the added cost and benefit added per population in the addition of a new program. This is an important part of the overall operations research plan. It strikes a chord as with a vital part of sharing how exactly a community based methodology can impact health.

Operation research and economic evaluation is integral to building partnerships.

One of the hardest things about working as an NGO is that you are constantly trying to expand. As part of this drive NGOs partner, and garner support from other organizations and the Ministry of Health. Operations research and economic evaluation share a role in this as Impact Global Health Alliance Guatemala builds partnerships and contributes to the knowledge base for implementing community health programs across the world. The exact calculations, estimations, and models for the economic evaluation will continue to change as the project completes Phase II.

The challenge ahead: Project Phase II.

In this phase, the project continues work in all communities across San Sebastian Coatan, San Miguel Acatan, and Santa Eulalia. However, the challenge of measuring in economic terms for a population that is entrenched in poverty and facing major health risks taught me many invaluable lessons as well which I am very grateful to carry with me as I finish my program and work on other projects.

Michelle in between Vanessa (left) and head nurse, Alma (right)

 

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Author: Michelle Willcox, Impact Global Health Alliance Global, International Intern