Garrett does her usual great job as a global health reporter. This long but accessible article discusses the complex consequences of the recent upsurge in donor-directed international health programs. It concludes with some specific recommendations, notably the conversion of container-ship boxes to "doc-in-a-box" prefab health clinics. "Stovepiping," or the directing of funds to particular diseases (HIV/AIDS) at the expense of holistic public health, is a primary problem. Funds leakage due to bureaucracy and corruption also remains a big problem, as does poor infrastructure, and brain-drains of health workers.

Lengthy due to scope/severiry of issue but well crafted, concise, informative and on point.

An eye opening article on the recent rise in donations to African countries to help combat the spread of AIDs and how these donations and increased interest in fighting AIDs have hurt other basic health care needs.

The major argument is well stated; a narrow focus on control of specific - usually high profile - diseases is less likely to provide long term benefits for the health and longevity of developing countries than broader public health measures that seek to improve maternal mortality and childhood infections. The paper is well supported by data and background references and richly illustrated by case studies and examples. It does not stop with just raising questions; remedies are suggested including the novel "doc-in-a-box" thought experiment. Humankind is tantalisingly close to having the wherewithal to bring about this historically important chapter in global health care. The impediments are more political and logistic than ... More »

Essential information to enable western nations to deliver effective health care in third world and reduce the huge gap between the rich and the very poor.