Partners In Health

Partners In Health. It is a non-profit global health organization dedicated to providing a preferential option for the poor in health care. Founded in 1987, the organization works to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. Its model integrates comprehensive health care delivery with addressing the social and economic determinants of illness.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1987 following work in the rural Central Plateau of Haiti by co-founders Paul Farmer and Ophelia Dahl. Their experiences at the Clinique Bon Sauveur in Cange revealed the dire consequences of poverty on health, inspiring a new model of care. The founding group, which also included Thomas J. White, Todd McCormack, and Jim Yong Kim, formally incorporated the organization in Boston. Early support came from the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and the Brigham and Women's Hospital, enabling the construction of the Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais.

Mission and approach

The mission is rooted in a moral conviction that health is a fundamental human right. This is operationalized through a strategy of accompaniment, building long-term partnerships with ministries of health and local communities. The approach explicitly links clinical care with addressing structural drivers of disease, such as poverty and malnutrition. This biosocial model challenges conventional paradigms in international development and public health by proving that complex diseases can be treated effectively in resource-poor settings.

Key programs and initiatives

Core initiatives focus on combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and non-communicable diseases through strengthened public health systems. A flagship program is the Community Health Worker model, which employs and trains local residents to provide care and support. In Rwanda, the organization helped establish the Butaro District Hospital and the University of Global Health Equity. Other significant efforts include maternal health programs in Sierra Leone and oncology services in Malawi, often developed in partnership with institutions like the Harvard Medical School.

Global impact and locations

The organization works across multiple continents, with major sites of operation including Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Navajo Nation, and Peru. In Rwanda, its partnership with the Ministry of Health (Rwanda) has been instrumental in rebuilding the health system after the Rwandan genocide. The response to the 2014 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa demonstrated its capacity for rapid deployment and health system strengthening in crises, significantly aiding the World Health Organization's efforts.

Organizational structure and leadership

The global organization is headquartered in Boston, with affiliated non-governmental organizations in each country of operation. Leadership has included notable figures from its founding, with Sheila Davis serving as Chief Executive Officer. The board of directors has included leaders from academia and philanthropy, maintaining strong ties with institutions like Harvard University and the Brigham and Women's Hospital. The structure emphasizes deep integration with local government partners to ensure sustainability and national ownership of health programs.

Recognition and awards

The work has received widespread acclaim, contributing to the awarding of the MacArthur "Genius" Grant to Paul Farmer. Co-founder Jim Yong Kim later served as president of the World Bank Group. The organization and its founders have been honored with the Rubenstein Award for Global Health and the Hilton Humanitarian Prize. Its model and advocacy have influenced major global health policies and funding mechanisms, including those of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.