Assessing the Long-Term Health Benefits of Medical Humanitarian Civic Assistance Missions
Abstract
Medical humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) missions are not designed to provide long-term, sustainable health care improvements to developing nations. Joint doctrine and Title 10, U.S. Code limit HCA missions to: providing assistance in conjunction with military operations, satisfying unit training requirements and creating an incidental humanitarian benefit to local populations as unit training requirements are being met. While training requirements are always satisfied, little benefit is provided to the host nation populace. Missions in Eastern Europe, Africa and Thailand were analyzed for their current mission structure and impact on target populations. Three World Health Organization measures of effectiveness were used to identify health care improvements in Thailand, Botswana, Cameroon, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Analysis revealed HCA missions to Thailand had a positive impact on the health care standards but a similar HCA mission impact was not apparent for the African countries. Five alternatives to current doctrine and practices were identified to promote sustainable health care improvements without changing the basic structure or footprint of existing HCA missions. First, joint doctrine changes are needed if sustainable benefits become an objective. Second, a country wide strategic plan that addresses infrastructure as well as medical conditions is essential. Third, since no single entity has the unlimited resources to make substantial health care improvements, interagency coordination is crucial. Fourth, follow-up protocols provide assessment mechanisms to direct and redirect resources. Fifth, education and training initiatives are needed to target the underlying causes that prohibit or stifle lasting health care improvements. Without attention to these five mission factors it is doubtful HCA missions will provide sustained health care improvement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA398474
Entities
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College