Ethics & the Work of Ethics & the Work of NGOs/FBOs in Developing NGOs/FBOs in Developing

CountriesCountries

Ethics & the Work of Ethics & the Work of NGOs/FBOs in Developing NGOs/FBOs in Developing

CountriesCountries

Joseline M. Bruce (BSc)Joseline M. Bruce (BSc)josbruce@hotmail.comjosbruce@hotmail.com

Presented at Faith-Based Organizations as Pioneers and Partners in Health

Systems Development, May 31, 2005, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC

IntroductionIntroduction Helping those in need cuts Helping those in need cuts

across all religionsacross all religions A challenge of scarce A challenge of scarce

resourcesresources

Need to maximize Utility Need to maximize Utility

Not to avoid paternalistic in Not to avoid paternalistic in our zeal our zeal

Case 1Case 1 – Local Front – Local Front Community ‘A’ in Africa in dire need Community ‘A’ in Africa in dire need

of good source of drinking waterof good source of drinking water

NGO drills a bore holeNGO drills a bore hole

Inhabitants of community did use Inhabitants of community did use boreholeborehole

Why? …built on football park Why? …built on football park

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues

Was the decision paternalistic?Was the decision paternalistic?

Was utility maximized?Was utility maximized?

Can the resources channeled into Can the resources channeled into this project be justified in the face of this project be justified in the face of scarce resources? scarce resources?

Case 2Case 2 – Local Front – Local Front Community ‘B’ is in a rural settingCommunity ‘B’ is in a rural setting

No public toilet facilities nor in their No public toilet facilities nor in their homeshomes

Resorted to using the bushResorted to using the bush

NGO builds public toilet facilitiesNGO builds public toilet facilities

Community refuse Community refuse

Facilities become a white elephantFacilities become a white elephant

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues

Paternalism on the part of the NGO?Paternalism on the part of the NGO?

Was utility maximized and the Was utility maximized and the greater good achieved?greater good achieved?

Can the scarce resources invested in Can the scarce resources invested in the project be justified?the project be justified?

WHO, 2004

Case 3Case 3 – Global Front – Global Front

Globally, HIV/AIDS = highest number of Globally, HIV/AIDS = highest number of deaths by any single infectious disease deaths by any single infectious disease

E. g in an Eastern African countryE. g in an Eastern African country : : 20.4%20.4% ; perinatal & maternal related ; perinatal & maternal related

conditionsconditions 15.4%15.4% ; malaria ; malaria 10.5%10.5% ; acute lower respiratory disease ; acute lower respiratory disease 9.1%9.1% ; AIDS ; AIDS

Case 3 Case 3

However:However: Maternal & Perinatal related deaths Maternal & Perinatal related deaths

twice AIDS related deathstwice AIDS related deaths

A lot of donor funds to this country A lot of donor funds to this country going to HIV/AIDS related activitiesgoing to HIV/AIDS related activities

Ethical IssuesEthical Issues

Paternalism?Paternalism?

Maximization of utility?Maximization of utility?

Can allocation of scarce resources Can allocation of scarce resources be justified?be justified?

……In ConclusionIn Conclusion

To maximize Utility, there is need To maximize Utility, there is need for:for:

Dialogue with communities Dialogue with communities

Dialogue between countries and donor Dialogue between countries and donor agenciesagencies

Less paternalistic approachLess paternalistic approach

THANK YOUTHANK YOU