Exploring Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations in Health Development: The Case of Iddirs in Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2007-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Health being the major development input, it was given due considerations in the
millennium development goals to be achieved by 2015 by developing countries including
Ethiopia. The health service coverage, utilization and quality in Ethiopia are poor and have not
shown significant gains over time. The sector has been dominated by the public sector with
limited involvement by other actors. The government could not handle the problem alone.
Cognizant of these facts, the need to diversify actors in the health sector was given priority in
the health policy as well as other policy documents. The Iddir is one of civil society
organizations in Ethiopia that has recently gained some attention as potential partner in
development, both by the government and non governmental organizations.
Objectives To explore partnership potentials between Iddirs, the government, and nongovernmental
organizations in the health sector.
Methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from January to March, 2007 using
both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. For the quantitative survey, a
sample of 422 Iddir leaders were randomly selected from the Iddirs currently registered with
the ten Sub Cities of Addis Ababa for interview. For the qualitative part, four focus group
discussions were organized with Iddir leaders and Iddir members to explore their views on the
importance and willingness of establishing partnerships between Iddirs and the government and
non governmental organizations. Eleven in-depth interviews were also conducted with key
informants drawn from non-governmental organizations working in partnerships with Iddirs
vi
and relevant government agencies to explore their views on the significance and possibilities of
establishing partnerships with Iddirs in health development.
Result: Out of the 422 Iddirs surveyed, 228 (54.0%) are currently engaged in health related
activities in one way or another. The majority, 216 (51.2%), are involved in HIV/AIDS
prevention, care and support activities. One hundred thirteen (26.8%) are offering some form of
health care financing services to their members. Ninety-seven of them (22.9%) are also
involved in environmental health activities. In the qualitative study, the need to establish
partnerships with Iddirs has been emphasized by participants from governmental and non
governmental organizations. Iddirs have also expressed their willingness to go in to such
partnerships, although some are still suspicious in partnering with the government. Participants
also expressed the need to build the capacity of Iddirs to be active development partners and
improve their working environment.
Conclusion: In general, a number of opportunities and entry points exist to establish
partnerships with Iddirs in public health efforts. The study has found that Iddirs, which were
once providing only funeral services, are coming out as development actors and partners.
Moreover, they are modifying their by-laws to include issues pertaining to pressing public
health problems such as HIV/AIDS. There is also increasing recognition on the role of Iddirs
in development by both the government and NGOs. The public health activities the Iddirs are
currently engaged in can serve as potential entry points into partnerships with them for all
concerned. However, a number of important contextual factors have been identified that need
to be considered in initiating partnership working arrangements with Iddirs. Such initiative
must accommodate their fears, concerns and suspicions if it has to prove effective.
Description
Keywords
Exploring Partnerships with Civil Society Organizations