Partnerships in Global Health National Immunization Conference Kansas City, MO March 7, 2007

Partnership issues Why partnerships are important Increasing the size of the pie Innovation through partners How to make them work Lessons for state and local programs Personal innovation

Why partnerships are important Political support Funding and other resources Staffing and volunteers Ideas and innovation Flexibility and effectiveness Inadequate government funding Increased funding in private sector Baby-boomers retire

“But I don’t want be a salesman!”

Immunization Programs Persuading others about: Ideas/policies Priorities Funding Trust (especially regarding vaccine safety) Our integrity Effective partnership is critical!

Partnership example 1: The Polio Eradication Heroes Fund of the CDC Foundation

Awad Abdallah Awad Abdallah lost his leg in a landmine accident while conducting the polio immunization campaign in the Nuba Mountains in March 1998

Purpose of Polio Eradication Heroes Fund To recognize health workers and volunteers who have lost their lives or incurred serious injury as a direct consequence of polio eradication activities.

Southern Sudan – Family of the late Mark Odera. One of the widows holding certificate (bombing)

Rotary PolioPlus Partners: Club support for polio eradication Raise awareness of polio immunization: radio and TV ads billboards megaphones t-shirts to identify vaccinators. Each club can volunteer for unique country and tasks

Other Global Immunization Partners UN organizations Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation UN Foundation American Red Cross Task Force for Child Survival and Dev Carter Center Other governments and organizations

You’ve got different problems! Hiring freeze or delays? Procurement delays? Inadequate funds for communications or media activities? Inadequate facilities? Boss doesn’t like innovation?

Resource mobilization Partners can: Advocate for policies Lobby for funds (or clinic space) Mobilize volunteers Exert influence

How to make partnerships work Common over-riding objective Agreement on basic strategies Recognition of respective strengths Flexibility and innovation Shared credit for achievements Respect

Ideas for State and local programs Surveillance for potential partners When programs don’t exist that meet needs, create new programs; start your own non- profit organization or foundation. Leverage staff and funds Recognize partners publicly It just takes one person with ideas and energy!

Potential partners Businesses Schools and universities –Surveys among high risk groups –Design new patient flow scheme in clinic –Reconfigure office space –Communications projects Service organizations –Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, Junior League American Red Cross Associations of retired people: raise flu vaccine coverage

The measure of humankind One measure is the worth of our work. Preventing disease and savings lives through immunization has a very high value. Effective partnerships can increase that value. Thank you.