Aaron Beaston Blaakman Considers Importance of African Global Health Partnership

NEW YORK, NY, August 02, 2012 (Press-News.org) According to a recent article from The Huffington Post, Africa is making great progress in terms of correcting the continent's longstanding problems. Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, explains that the 19th African Union Summit this past July offered much optimism in terms of how African countries will continue to improve commercial development, humanitarian efforts and health sustainability. Having worked as a health costing professional in many African countries, Aaron Beaston Blaakman is encouraged by the united front that African leaders are taking to reduce the numbers of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria among citizens.

However, in the words of Secretary of State Hilary Clinton achieving an AIDS-free generation will be very much a shared responsibility. With the same mentality, both African authorities and Aaron Beaston Blaakman are appreciative of global efforts to provide AIDS patients with the necessary care and resources. Much of the noted progress that Africa has made as a whole is in regards to the way nations have responded to the health crisis. As the article explains, "A record 6.2 million Africans are receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment." However, 44 percent of Africans are still in need of such treatment.

The article also notes that assistance from global medical authorities has provided up to 80 percent of Africa expenditures on AIDS treatments and drugs. At the summit, experts and leaders are discussing strategies to move away from that global dependence and provide greater care that comes within Africa itself. Staying true to such initiatives the Africa Development Bank elected ministers of finance and health to analyze progress and determine future plans to increase the value-for-money of investments in AIDS and health programs.

The shift from global to continental focus is a difficult one, notes Aaron Beaston Blaakman. However, in his experience Blaakman explains that one potential resolution rests in the use of performance-based financing (PBF) with health managers and providers. Aaron Beaston Blaakman explains this process further, "PBF holds the possibility of helping countries to achieve stated public health and Millennium Development Goals. The international development and academic communities have a responsibility to examine the real impact of such financing interventions in order to continue to move health and health care forward in Africa."

ABOUT:

Aaron Beaston Blaakman, a health financing and health costing professional, has worked in countries around the globe, including the United States, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Lao PDR, Iraq, and more. Aaron Beaston Blaakman, who is fluent in the both English and French languages, has the tools necessary to successfully interact with people from various cultures, countries and backgrounds. Additionally, his work has allowed him to partner with international organizations, local governments, and other entities to produce health costing solutions.

Website: http://aaronblaakman.com