Churches and Communities of Faith: Significant and Sustainable Partners in the Fight Against the Diseases of Poverty

In this editorial, Dr. Amayun discusses the positive impact that faith-based organisations can have on the health sectors of developing countries. After attending the Haiti Health Summit and a separate World Vision health assessment programme, "The most striking finding I came away with from the above two trips to Haiti was the level of contribution the faith community brings to Haiti's health sector. The majority of those attending the Health Summit were representatives of faith-based organizations and volunteers from churches and denominations in the United States. There were Catholics, Protestants and Pentecostals. Some, like the Haitian Health Foundation, ran hospitals; others sent volunteers and pharmaceuticals. A few ran community-based clinics in remote villages. Others distributed food to mothers and children."

According to Dr. Amayun, the faith community "has a lot to offer to the world's intensified battle against the diseases of poverty. The most basic strengths are its ubiquitous presence, its programs of outreach to the poor and its pool of committed personnel to accomplish tasks". He believes that the faith-based network of health institutions and services precedes the current outpouring of resources from donors and should not be overlooked when programs are being created. "They have been at it for a long time and have the infrastructure ready to expand coverage in the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria."