The development of a digital NGO mapping platform in Tanzania, as a tool to strengthen civil society engagement, in pursuit of Universal Health Coverage

The role of civil society in economic development, improving livelihoods and in providing pathways towards achieving health for all has become increasingly evident. By mapping these organizations, the scope and scale as well as existing capacities, gaps, and opportunities are brought to light. This paper describes the implementation of a digital mapping platform for NGOs; an interactive site which collects, analyses, and visualizes data from a variety of sources about NGOs in Tanzania, through a series of interactive maps, graphs, and charts. We describe the approach and the technology used to develop the platform and its potential contribution towards improving health outcomes. A situation analysis and needs assessment exercise was conducted in February 2023. The developed system requirement specification document served as the guiding document in the design and development of new modules. Participatory techniques and agile iterative methodologies comprising regular stakeholder engagement were employed. A distributed revision control system was used to keep track of system revisions. The modules were deployed to the production server at the National Internet Data Center (NIDC) server room, followed by a system commissioning activity in October 2023. The NGO Information System, NGO Digital Mapping tool, NGO Analytic tool, NGO Search tool and NGO Opportunities module were designed, developed, and commissioned to support NGO operations in Tanzania. The platform was launched during the annual NGO Forum in Dodoma, Tanzania, on October 5, 2023. The modules are publicly accessible and are housed within the NGO Information System (NIS) platform. Investment in whole-of-society engagement to build health systems resilience for universal health coverage is crucial. Leveraging the unique positioning of NGOs draws us a step closer to the ambitious goal of achieving health for all. Through this one-stop web application system, information on the near real-time status, existing gaps, and opportunities for collaboration to serve communities is readily available for all stakeholders. Wide dissemination and enhancement of utilization of the platform across all sectors is now needed, for data to truly inform action.

Perfil de quem participa de atividades em grupo no Brasil: uma análise com base nos dados da Pesquisa Nacional em Saúde 2013 / Profile of those who participate in group activities in Brazil: an analysis based on data from the National Health Survey (NHS), 2013

Resumo O artigo busca caracterizar as pessoas que frequentam diferentes espaços de participação no Brasil. Para isso, realizou-se um estudo de estatística descritiva, a partir de dados de um inquérito maior, a Pesquisa Nacional em Saúde (PNS), que contou com 64.348 respondentes. Os dados foram analisados conforme a frequência de participação dividida em quatro blocos de atividades participativas: sexo, escolaridade, renda e estado civil dos participantes. Os resultados mostraram que a maior frequência de participação foi em eventos e cultos religiosos (69,7%), seguidos pelas atividades artísticas e esportivas em grupo (26,2%), depois por reuniões de associações de moradores ou funcionários, movimentos comunitários, centros acadêmicos ou similares (16,1%) e, por último, em trabalho voluntário não remunerado (12,1%). Observou-se que as mulheres tiveram participação mais intensa em cultos e atividades religiosas (76,4%), enquanto os homens participaram mais de atividades artísticas e culturais (33,5%). Quanto a faixa de renda e escolaridade, o estudo mostrou que quanto mais elevadas eram essas duas categorias, maior foi a frequência de participação. Evidencia-se, do ponto de vista político e democrático, que a participação no Brasil é escassa e marcada pelo elitismo.

Abstract This article seeks to characterize people who attend different spaces of participation in Brazil. For this, a study of descriptive statistics was carried out, using data from a larger survey, the National Health Survey (NHS), which had 64,348 respondents. The data were analyzed according to the frequency of participation divided into four blocks of participatory activities: sex, education, income and marital status of the participants. The results showed that the highest frequency of participation was in religious events and cults (69.7%), followed by artistic and sports activities in groups (26.2%), then by meetings of associations of residents or employees, community movements, academic or similar centers (16.1%) and, finally, in unpaid voluntary work (12.1%). It was observed that women had a more intense participation in cults and religious activities (76.4%), while men participated more in artistic and cultural activities (33.5%). As for income and education, the study showed that the higher these two categories were, the higher the frequency of participation. It is evident, from a political and democratic point of view, that participation in Brazil is scarce and marked by elitism.

Analyzing vulnerable children and adolescents' health promotion in a civil-society organization in Florianopolis-SC / Analisando a promoção à saúde de crianças e adolescentes em vulnerabilidade em uma organização da sociedade civil em Florianópolis-SC

Abstract After the redemocratization, partnerships between the State and civil-society organizations have been guaranteed by the Constitution as a democratic tool. With the rise of neoliberalism and the decrease in State investments in social policies, such organizations have become protagonists in the health care, education, and protection of children in vulnerable situations. This study aims to analyze health promotion in the care for children and adolescents in a Civil-Society Organization (CSO) in Florianopolis-SC, Brazil. This is a case study with a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. The analysis resulted in two empirical categories: (1) Weaving networks between the State and Civil Society: intersectorality in health promotion; and (2) CSOs and the paths and deviations in pursuit of emancipatory health promotion. The analysis showed that, although CSOs include several health promotion initiatives for children and adolescents, intersectoral work still lacks effectiveness. Moreover, for emancipatory health promotion, it is necessary to work towards community empowerment and education for critical and social reflection.

Resumo Após a redemocratização, as parcerias entre o Estado e as organizações da sociedade civil são garantidas pela Constituição como ferramenta democrática. Com advento do neoliberalismo e a diminuição de investimento estatais em políticas sociais, essas organizações se tornam protagonistas no cuidado com a saúde, a educação e a proteção de crianças em situação de vulnerabilidade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a promoção à saúde no atendimento de crianças e adolescentes em uma Organização da Sociedade Civil (OSC) de Florianópolis-SC. Trata-se de estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa na qual foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, que foram transcritas e analisadas a partir do método de análise temática. A análise inferiu em duas categorias empíricas: (1) Tecendo redes entre o Estado e a Sociedade Civil: a intersetorialidade na promoção à saúde; e (2) A OSC e os (des)caminhos em busca da promoção à saúde emancipatória. A análise apresentou que, apesar de a OSC incluir diversas iniciativas de promoção à saúde para crianças e adolescentes, ainda falta a efetivação do trabalho intersetorial; além disso, para uma promoção à saúde emancipatória, é necessário atuar em direção ao empoderamento da comunidade e da educação para reflexão crítica e social.

Итоговый документ: межрегиональный семинар по подготовке к переходу на внутреннее финансирование ответных мер на ТБ, ВИЧ и малярию: Тбилиси, Грузия, 17–19 октября 2018 г.

Межрегиональное рабочее совещание по вопросам оказания странам поддержки в подготовкек переходу от внешнего финансирования (для реализации мер по борьбе с туберкулезом, ВИЧинфекцией и малярией) было организовано совместно с Европейским региональным бюро ВОЗ,штаб-квартирой ВОЗ, Глобальным фондом для борьбы со СПИДом, туберкулезом и малярией иАгентством США по международному развитию. В настоящем документе перечисленыпрактические рекомендации для стран и партнеров, выработанные по итогам рабочегосовещания на основе обмена примерами передовой практики, обсуждения общих проблем иизвлеченных уроков.

Outcomes document: interregional workshop in preparation for transitioning towards domestic financing in TB, HIV and Malaria response: Tbilisi, Georgia, 17–19 October 2018

An interregional workshop to support countries to prepare for transition from external financing (particularly for the tuberculosis, HIV and malaria responses) was organized jointly by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO headquarters, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the United States Agency for International Development. This document lists the actionable recommendations for countries and partners that resulted from the workshop via the exchange of good practices, common challenges and lessons learned.

Межрегиональный семинар по подготовке к переходу на внутреннее финансирование ответных мер на ТБ, ВИЧ и малярию: Тбилиси, Грузия, 17–19 октября 2018: отчет о семинаре

Межрегиональный семинар по подготовке к переходу на внутреннее финансирование ответных мер на ТБ, ВИЧ и малярию, организованный совместно Европейским региональным бюро ВОЗ, штаб-квартирой ВОЗ, Глобальным фондом для борьбы со СПИДом, туберкулезом и малярией и Агентством США по международному развитию, проводился 17–19 октября 2018 г. в Тбилиси, Грузия. Основная задача семинара состояла в предоставлении странам и ключевым партнерамплатформы для обмена передовым опытом, обсуждения полученных уроков и общих проблемпри переходе на внутреннее финансирование, а также определения последующих шагов ипотребностей в технической помощи. В семинаре приняли участие представители 23 стран, осуществивших или осуществляющих переход или способных вскоре отказаться от внешнегофинансирования, представители гражданского общества и общественные организации,представители донорских и партнерских организаций, а также сотрудники Глобального фонда,штаб-квартиры ВОЗ и нескольких региональных бюро ВОЗ. В данном документе приводитсяобзор содержания семинара, обобщаются его результаты и конкретные действия.

Interregional workshop in preparation for transitioning towards domestic financing in TB, HIV and Malaria response: Tbilisi, Georgia, 17–19 October 2018: workshop report

An interregional workshop to prepare countries for transitioning to domestic financing in the tuberculosis, HIV and malaria response, organized jointly by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO headquarters, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the United States Agency for International Development, took place on 17–19 October 2018, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The overall objective was to provide a platform for countries and key partners to exchange good practices, lessons learned and common challenges in transitioning to domestic financing, and to define the next steps and technical assistance needs. Participants included representatives from 23 countries that have transitioned, are transitioning or may soon transition from external financing; representatives from civil society and community organizations; representatives from donor and partner organizations; and staff of the Global Fund, WHO headquarters, and several WHO regional offices. This document reviews the meeting content and summarizes outcomes and action points.