| Type | nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington |
| Key people | Christopher J. Elias, MD, MPH, president and CEO |
| Employees | 900+ |
| Website | http://www.path.org/ |
The Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (more commonly known as PATH) is an international, nonprofit global health organization based in Seattle, Washington (USA), with 900+ employees in more than 30 offices around the world. Its president and CEO is Dr. Christopher Elias.
PATH’s tagline is "A catalyst for global health."
Contents |
Founded in 1977 with a focus on family planning, PATH soon broadened its purpose to work on a wide array of emerging and persistent global health issues in the areas of health technologies, maternal and child health, reproductive health, vaccines and immunization, and emerging and epidemic diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.
PATH is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in global health today.[1]
PATH's expressed vision is "a world where innovation ensures that health is within reach for everyone."[2]
The organization’s mission is "to improve the health of people around the world by advancing technologies, strengthening systems, and encouraging healthy behaviors."[2] What is meant? Explanation follows.
PATH is best known for adapting technologies to address the health needs of developing countries. The organization engages in public-private partnerships, often acting as a liaison between industry and public-sector agencies.[1]
The Uniject device, a single-dose, autodisabling injection device consisting of a needle attached to a small bubble of plastic that is prefilled with medication. The device is designed to prevent disease transmission and enable health workers with only a little training to administer vaccine and other drugs in remote villages.[3]
The vaccine vial monitor, a small sticker that adheres to a vaccine vial and changes color as the vaccine is exposed to heat over time. The sticker helps health workers know when a vaccine is potent and when it must be thrown out, resulting in more reliable vaccinations as well as cost savings, because health workers no longer have to throw out vaccine just because they suspect it has gone bad. UNICEF requires these monitors on all vaccines it purchases.[4] PATH has estimated that between 2010-20, vaccine vial monitors will identify 230 million doses of inactive vaccines assist in the delivery of 1.4 billion active doses.[5]
PATH is working with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to support the development of vaccines for diseases such as malaria and meningitis.[6] The Meningitis Vaccine Project developed and implemented a product called MenAfriVac which, in 2011, eliminated new cases of meningitis in areas where it was used.[7]
In 2011, PATH announced the public release of a vaccine which would prevent the spread of a strain of meningitis found only in Africa. This marks the first time that a vaccine was developed for a disease only found in Africa.[8]The use of the vaccine is widespread in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.[9] Previously used meningitis vaccines had low efficacy and cost USD $80 per dose; the new vaccine has high efficacy and costs $0.50 per dose.[10] The entire vaccination research and development project cost USD $100 million.[11]
PATH researcher John Wecker noted that rotavirus infections dropped in areas which began to use the vaccine after the WHO recommended its international use in 2009.[12]
Ultra Rice, a manufactured, nutrition-fortified "grain" that can be mixed with rice to fight malnutrition in countries where rice is a staple food.[13] Made of rice flour, micronutrients, and nutrient-protecting ingredients, Ultra Rice can mimic the look and taste of local rice and deliver the specific micronutrients a population needs.
SILCS diaphragm is a “one size fits most” contraceptive device. The device differs from traditional latex diaphragms in that it is made of silicone instead of latex, designed to hold up to extreme temperatures and poor storage conditions common in developing countries, and will not require a doctor’s fitting.[14]
A new female condom that is designed to be more affordable than other female condoms, plus easier to use, more stable, less noisy, and more comfortable.[15]
PATH partners with developing-country governments to strengthen health systems.
For example, PATH is working with India and other countries in the region to introduce an affordable vaccine to protect against Japanese encephalitis—a disease the World Health Organization estimates claims 10,000 to 15,000 lives a year, mostly children, and causes permanent brain damage in many more.[16]
PATH is also working with the Government of Zambia and other partners to control malaria on a large scale through proven interventions such as mosquito nets, insecticide, and medication.[17]
PATH works to encourage healthy behaviors. One of the best-known examples is the introduction of “magnet theater,” in Kenya, India, Vietnam, and other developing countries. Named because of its natural pulling power, this interactive street theater draws people in rural communities to clearings, dirt roads, and village centers—any open space where people can gather. There, actors banter with their audiences and pull them into the play, stimulating dialogue about HIV/AIDS and other taboo subjects and helping individuals re-examine social norms, such as promiscuity, that may contribute to poor health.[18]
Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, PATH has more than 30 offices in countries around the world.
PATH is currently working in more than 70 countries.[19]
PATH's expenses in 2009 was USD 257 million, of which 108 was spent among PATH's three vaccination programs. About 80% of the money allotted to vaccine work is passed to sub-grantees.[20]
Named one of the 200 largest US charities by Forbes in 2007,[21] PATH receives funding from foundations, the US government, other governments, nongovernmental organizations, multilateral agencies, and individuals. PATH's budget for 2010 was more than USD $250 million.
In 2008, PATH was the recipient of the most foundation grants in the state of Washington and the third largest recipient in America for the same.[22]
Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of nonprofits, awarded PATH its highest rating, four stars, for sound fiscal management.[23]
In 2009, PATH received the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.[24]
In 2005, Dr. Christopher Elias, PATH's president and CEO, was chosen as the Schwab Foundation's Social Entrepreneur of the Year in the United States.[25]
For five years running, Fast Company magazine has named PATH as one of the top social entrepreneurs who are changing the world.[26]
In 2003, PATH received the Tech Museum’s Dr. Alejandro Zaffaroni Health Award for its work on the Uniject device, a sterile pre-filled, single-use syringe.[27]
Since 2005[28] PATH has been on Forbes' list of the 200 largest charities in America. In 2009 [29]
|
|||||||||||