Summary

International Health Organization (IHO) is a Bihar-based NGO, incorporated in 1992 in Boston, US as a non-profit organization by a group of international health experts to work on improving the health and well-being of underserved people in rural South Asia.

Program goals

Over the past ten years, IHO has developed a cost-effective, self-help model for improving the health of some of the poorest communities of South Asia.

Key program components

IHO';s self-help model is implemented by first identifying a number of participating communities in a given geographical area, and then forming a Village Advisory Board consisting of representatives from all sectors of that community. This advisory board takes the lead in mobilizing the community and making critical decisions. The community leaders and members at large donate their time and expertise to implement IHO programs with seed money and technology from IHO. IHO's environmental and community health programs consist of three levels:

1. Environmental health issues, primarily prevention and control of waterborne diseases

2. Improving the health of mothers and their children, which includes prenatal care, post-natal care, reproductive health, immunization and nutrition for children

3. Training of women in health areas along with vocational training.

At every program level, the organization involves the local population in every possible way to ensure local ownership and sustainability of the programs. Ultimately, IHO endeavors to prepare a local cadre of women health educators who can continue to educate and serve their communities even after the successful completion of IHO's programs.