Perturbation experiments to investigate the impact of ocean acidification: approaches and software tools

Abstract

This guide leads the reader through the major lessons learned from recent research and analysis on West African health mutuals. It also introduces the Cooperative Principles as a framework for improving the economic performance of existing health mutuals, for mobilizing greater and more meaningful community participation in their formation and operation and for deepening their impact in promoting health-seeking behavior and improving health outcomes. Rather than a comprehensive, how-to manual, this guide highlights key issues related to the success and failure of the health mutuals in the study and presents approaches to community health that are rooted in the seven Cooperative Principles. By combining the lessons learned and recommendations from the research project with the National Cooperative Business Associations (NCBA) over fifty years of experience promoting community-based development in Africa, the guide suggests more holistic ways for mutuals and other community-based health organizations to make a measurable impact on the lives of their intended beneficiaries. This guide is designed to serve as a resource for local communities, mutuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other development organizations, primary and secondary health care personnel, public and private donors and anyone else interested in strengthening the role of mutuals in improving community health or in increasing local leadership of and participation in community health strategies. Mutuals and cooperatives both exist today and are promising means by which people can organize themselves to access health-related services. Though some mutuals may be suited for full transformation into a cooperative to provide services, some mutuals may be better suited for the adoption of more cooperative strategies and organizational structures to enhance their sustainability, delivery of services and community participation. This guide does not prescribe one entity over the other but rather believes that community members should be empowered to make the choice based on their needs and the local context.