What Sustainability Means to the Poor Country?

Many developing countries are trying to find the best way for sustainable development with the funding support from donors, development partners, government, and its own generated income. So, what does sustainability mean to the poor country?

Based on experiences and community development in Cambodia, many organizations have raised some tips in term of their context and technical areas as below to have the sustainable development program in the developing country.

1. Sustainable Plan: Every development program should have its plan and strategy to guarantee that it's continually developing when the donor funding phase out.
2. Organizational/Institutional Development: In order to run the program smoothly and effectively, organizations must be developed strongly in the contents of Leadership and Management, Human Resources, Project and Program Management, Financial Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Information and Communication, and Data/evidence-based management.
3. Staff Capacity Building: Building capacity of staff is a part of organizational development in which it is the vital role to run the organization for high outcome and impact as well as for increasing productivity of program implementation.
4. Community Participation: Every program development should think about the target group and beneficiary of the program. Engaging community in the program is the way to fill the needs of people.
5. Government Participation: Government engagement is the bridge  to link the organizations' programs into the national systems and structures. Without this link, it might be difficult for program at the end of phasing out.
6. Government Capacity: In attempt to delegate programs to government ownership, government staff should be provided a capacity building properly.
7. Government Ownership: Every development issues must engage government institutions at the local levels to the national levels by sharing responsibility and providing ownership to the government. By doing so, the community leaders/ local authorities will accept the program as their own for people interest.
8. Exit Strategy/Phase Out: The program might be phased out at any time whenever no funding supports from donors for the program which are totally depending on donor funding.

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Clients and Providers Rights in Cambodia

[BATTAMBANG] Catholic Relief Services (CRS)  in cooperation with HIV/AIDS Coordinating Committee (HACC) hosted the Training of Trainer on the community advocacy, role and responsibilities, Clients’ and Providers’ Rights of Village Help Support Group (VHSG) and Health Center Management Committee (HCMC) on 20-26 June 2011 in Epidemic Centre in Battambang province. The training was facilitated by consultants with participation from 34 participants (3 females) from Sub-Sub Recipients (SSR) of HACC and CRS.

Participants were encouraged to share experiences and lesson learnt from its organizations, particularly better practices in working with Health Center (HC), HCMC, commune councils, local authorities, and VHSG. There were 3 main lessons for future trainers included Role and Responsibilities, Clients’ and Providers’ Rights, and Community Advocacy. The training was supported by CRS and HACC under Global Fund through PR-MoH. Participants in this training will be the Trainers in their communities to provide training to VHSG and communities they are working with.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Introduction of Community Participation in Health Sector
2. Roles and Responsibilities of Village Help Support Group
3. Roles and Responsibilities of Health Center Management Committee
4. Coordination Skill
5. Communication
6. Referral System
7. Supporting Governance
8. Monitoring Check List
9. Decision Making
10. Incentive Package

Clients’ Rights

1.  the right to information -you have the right to learn(receive) the information about your health issue, treatments and choosing health care service. 
2. the right to (receive) services -you have the right to receive health care services regardless sex, belief, religion, ethnic origin, the rich or the poor, marital status or where you live. 
3. the right to choice -you have the right to make the free decision to receive or not to receive health care services and to choose any birth spacing method which is appropriate for you. 
4. the right to safety -you have the right to obtain health care services which are safe and effective from trained health worker. 
5. the right to privacy -you have the right to receive health care services or consultations in a private place 
6. the right to confidentiality -you have the right to have all your personal information kept confidential 
7. the right to dignity -you have the right to be treated with courtesy, respect and attention 
8. the right to comfort -you have the right to receive comfortable feeling both physically and mentally during receiving health care service 
9. the right to continuity -you have the right to continue to receive health care services for as long as needed 
10. the right to express opinions -you have the right to express your opinions about the service

Provider’s Rights

1. Right to full and accurate information related to the client's health issues 
2. Right to provide treatment and health care service regardless sex, belief, religion, ethnic origin, the rich or the poor, marital status or place of living. 
3. Right to decide about the method of treatment and health care which is medically sound for the client 
4. Right to provide safe treatment and health care service which is medically sound 
5. Right to provide treatment and health care service in a private place 
6. Right to keep medical records of the client confidential 
7. Right to receive respect and dignity from the client 
8. Right to have an appropriate and comfortable place in providing treatment and health care service for the client 
9. Right to stop or continue treatment or to refer client medically sound 
10. Right to clarify to the client about the provision of treatment and health care service

Guideline for Implementing Client and Provider Rights 2007