African Medical Research Foundation Case Study Review (Essay Sample)

Case Study:
The Work of AMREF with the Masaai
AMREF is a key pillar of health promotion in many countries in Africa. This health organization evolved from solving immediate problems through episodic clinics to developing concrete strategies for sustained healthcare in African countries. One major broad-based strategic thinking policy is empowering the communities. White, Stallones & Last (2013) write that today’s AMREF mission captures this. The aim is to have informed communities that can collaborate with the empowered health workers to have strong systems. The idea to approach sustained health promotion for indigenous African communities such as the Masaai reflects AMREF’s broad strategic thinking. Such efforts help in the realization of long-term goals; for example, a healthy nation or a healthy community in many years in the future.
The idea to involve communities and people in their health welfare is a strong indicator of AMREF’s social development policy. When working in Masaai land, appreciating their culture, and working with them to improve their welfare is a step towards social development. The SAFE protocol as proposed by WHO is an evidence-based social development policy by AMREF. Peter’s (2009) writes that focusing on community empowerment strategies in matters health has had impacts in the targeted communities, as opposed to imposing a blanket medical care. The involvement of the Masaai in improving their health, using tactics such as the leaky tin technology is firstly an appreciation of their culture and secondly using them for their own improvement. White, Stallones & Last (2013) note that these measures, especially the SAFE protocol, have had real impacts on indigenous communities in Kenya. In effect, involving the people in the Masaai community is like training them to take over healthcare services after the departure of the NGO.
The SAFE protocol as proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) is a great example of a health public policy adopted by the AMREF for the Masaai community. The SAFE protocol tackles Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environment (White, Stallones & Last, 2013). The four components of the SAFE protocol are meant to handle end-stage illnesses, reduction of infection, cleanliness, and improvement of the environment. This health public policy is credited with immense impacts on health improvement amongst the Masaai community and the larger Rift Valley region. White, Stallones & Last (2013) write of the AMREF report which indicates that the application of the SAFE protocol had impacts such as reduction of active diseases amongst children from 47% to 16%. The sustainability of this policy is high and is part and parcel of WHO’s strategy to advance eye care policy across the world.
In Masaai land, AMREF focused on establishing community-based strategies, where, the strategies were meant to reach to people even outside the community. This was evidence enough that AMREF was not concerned with short-term ...