 Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region of the world where poverty level and hunger are still very high, and where limited progress has been made toward set targets for the indicators of the UN endorsed Millennium Development Goals that include, among others, eradicating poverty and hunger, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The Human Development Index (HDI) in the central African region is very low, ranging from 30% (for Congo) to 59% (for Chad). Other indicators include public health expenditure: 1.2 – 2.7% of GDP; number of physicians per 100,000 people: 3-29; tuberculosis (TB) cases detected under DOTS (%): 57-93; TB cases cured under DOTS (%): 47-78; HIV/AIDS: 4.2-13.5%; population undernourished (%): 25-71; children under height for age (% under age 5): 19-39; population without sustainable access to an improved water source: 13-66%. These statistics indicate that livelihood situation in this region is grim. Progress toward realizing the Millennium Development Goals is very slow, and huge disparities exist across and within countries of the region. In his article “Development as if the world mattered”, L. Hunter Lovins recommends a fundamental rethinking of international development such that it promotes the creation of locally controlled, viable private sector. This means a total paradigm shift in how development money is  spent, and how development is done.
A group of development professionals has created Health Horizons International (HHI) to be a resource to local institutions and development practitioners for the design and implementation of livelihood security programs that will foster sustainability and development. local ownership.
WHO WE ARE
Health Horizons international is a non-profit organization founded in 2002, with a USA Federated Tax-Free status as defined in section 501 (c) (3). Headquartered in Austin, Texas, HHI has registered it Regional Office for Central Africa in the Republic of Cameroon.
MISSION
Our mission is to empower local communities in developing countries to achieve, live and sustain a comfortable life.
In fulfilling our mission, we provide services, and technical assistance in three core sectors:
Health: Poor management of chronic diseases and their related illnesses and lack of accessible health care are among the leading causes of death among the adult population of the central African region. HHI focuses resources in the sensitization and education of communities on the management of the chronic diseases, and provides health services and drugs to patients at affordable prices.
Education and Training: HHI will create a school that will focus on the education and training of nurses to American Standards. Local nursing schools provide basic training to their students but it is not enough and does not aid in improving healthcare management. Providing training to American standards will ensure that the nurses are trained to provide the best care to their patient.
HHI also envisions the creation of a NCLEX testing center in the near future.
We are also able to provide support to local governments in the implementation of programs for better care of chronic disease patients
Pharmaceutical drugs: using our strategic position in the United States, HHI is able to negotiate with large pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors to provide lower, more affordable drugs in central Africa and beyond.
MANAGEMENT
Our team is uniquely qualified to provide development institutions and practitioners with the needed ingredients necessary to achieve sustainable, positive changes in the lives of vulnerable communities in developing countries. Our leadership has the background, skills and experience demanded of their positions, significant team spirit, and the blend of passion, and commitment required for community development.
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