New forms of development: branding innovative ideas and bidding for foreign aid in the maternal and child health service in Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundNepal has been receiving foreign aid since the early 1950s. Currently, the country’s health care system is heavily dependent on aid, even for the provision of basic health services to its people. Globally, the mechanism for the dispersal of foreign aid is becoming increasingly complex. Numerous stakeholders are involved at various levels: donors, intermediary organisations, project-implementing partners and the beneficiaries, engaging not only in Nepal but also globally. To illustrate how branding and bidding occurs, and to discuss how this process has become increasingly vital in securing foreign aid to run MCH activities in Nepal.MethodThis paper is based on a qualitative study. The data collection method includes Key Informant Interviews, the review of relevant policy documents and secondary data, and finally field observation visits to four maternal and child health (MCH) projects, currently funded by foreign aid. Through these methods we planned to gain a comprehensive understanding of the aid dispersing mechanism, and the aid-securing strategies, used by organisations seeking funds to provide MCH services in Nepal.ResultsStudy findings suggest that foreign aid for the provision of MCH services in Nepal is channeled increasingly to its beneficiaries, not through the Government system, but rather via various intermediary organisations, employing branding and bidding processes. These organisations adapt commercial models, seeking to justify their ‘cost-effectiveness’. They argue that they are ‘yielding good value for money’, with short-term target oriented projects. This ethos is evident throughout the aid dispersing chain. Organisations use innovative ideas and intervention packages, branded internationally and nationally, and employ the appropriate language of commerce in their bid to secure funds. The paper raises an important question as to whether the current mechanisms of channeling foreign aid in the MCH sector, via intermediary organisations, can actually be cost-effective, given the complex bureaucratic processes involved.ConclusionsThe study findings are very important, for Nepal’s development in particular, and for international development in general. The paper concludes by recommending strongly that foreign aid should concentrate on supporting and strengthening the national government system. Complex bureaucratic process must be minimised and streamlined in order to provide quality care to the beneficiaries.

A model for health branding based on a service providers approach

“…This is in line with the findings of this study. However, the study by Adhikari et al (27) on new forms of developing innovative branding ideas and foreign tenders to help Nepali mothers and children's health services showed that foreign aid to provide services to children's health projects in Nepal is increasing in their favor, not through the government system, but through intermediary organizations, using processes of branding and tender. This is not in line with the findings of this study.…”

Designing a branding model for providing healthcare services in Iran

“…The questionnaire was sent in person and by email. The first round of Delphi technique included 109 items in terms of importance (1-10) and relevance, the second round 92 items, the third round 85 items and the fourth round 83 items, including the optimal design (questions 1-6), advertisement (questions 7-11), innovation (questions [12][13][14], diversity (questions [15][16][17][18], customer loyalty (questions 19-21), performance and efficiency (questions [22][23][24][25], reputation and existing beliefs (questions 26-33), justice in access (questions 34-36), physical access (questions 37-39), social investment (questions 40-43), competitive advantage (questions 44-52), individual and ethical competence of providers (questions 53-57), communication skills of providers (questions 58-61), training providers (questions 62-65), performance evaluation (questions 66-69), provider flexibility (questions 70-73), resource provision (questions 74-76), patient's rights charter (questions 77-80), and satisfaction survey (questions 81-83). Using Delphi technique, the questions of the questionnaire reached saturation stage with 83 questions in the fourth round and they were examined based on the Delphi technique after the fourth round and reaching a consensus based on Kendall rank correlation coefficient.…”

Quality Care for Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) Services at Primary Health Care Settings in Nepal: A Case Study

“…Throughout human history pregnancy and childbirth have been major contributors to death and disability among women [3]. The maternal mortality ratio is 7.2/100000 live births in Australia [4], 6/100000 live births in Denmark [5], 30/100000 live births in Sri Lanka [6] and 170/100000 live births in Nepal [7]. Infant mortality rate is still very high, 37 per 1000 live births in Nepal [8].…”