Silver Spring, Maryland—The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) presented a new and effective reporting mechanism implemented in Madagascar at the 34th annual Global Health Council Conference held May 29 to June 1 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C.

The Global Health Council is a membership organization that works to actively improve health care throughout the world. Their annual conference draws health experts from around the world to network, share, and learn about important advances in the field of global health.

ADRA's inventive reporting mechanism helps illiterate traditional birth attendants (TBAs) document the services they provide and relay that information to the government. This process eases the flow of communication throughout the nation's health system. "The partnership between the government and the TBAs provided the Health Information System with a wealth of community-based data which was previously unavailable," said Josue Mpayamaguru, Ph.D, child survival project director for ADRA Madagascar. "The new system promises a more detailed and accurate picture of the health status of rural Madagascar which will promote more appropriate allocation of services and funding."

The Ministry of Health in Madagascar is so impressed by the new approach, and is considering utilizing the method on a national level.

The reporting system consists of a cloth panel, covered with seven pockets, each depicting an illustration of a possible intervention, such as appropriate hygienic procedures for TBAs or the provision of pre-natal or post-natal care. Following an intervention, the TBA then drops a stone into the appropriate pocket. At the end of the month, the birth attendant records the results by making checks in corresponding boxes in a specially prepared notebook. The paper documents are then delivered to the local health authorities that incorporate the data in the Health Information System.

According to ADRA Madagascar, more than 293 birth attendants and 60 Ministry of Health staff have already been trained in the new system. Sixty-five percent of the birth attendants are currently submitting regular and accurate reports through their local health posts.

This year's conference focused on developing new and more effective partnerships for addressing urgent issues in global health. Participants at the conference included government representatives, private and public companies, various universities, and several NGOs. Attendees took part in a media luncheon, an awards banquet for extraordinary humanitarian leaders in global health, and special sessions in a wide range of issues, including combating the spread of HIV and AIDS, family planning, and child survival initiatives.

"The conference allows an opportunity for professionals from a broad range of sectors in the health field to come together with the sole purpose of making a change in the lives of millions around the world," enthused Dina Madrid, Dr.P.H., technical advisor for Health at ADRA International. "It is truly a privilege to be part of this experience," she finished.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

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Media Contact: Nadia McGill ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org