- Global Health International Advisors (GHIA)

Qualities and Functions of
International Advisors on Global
Health
Dr. Fernando R. K. Zacarías
GHIA
Meaning and spirit of “GHIA”

Global Health: a domain of study, research,
and practice that gives priority to the improvement of
health and health equity for all people across the world
(Koplan, 2009)

International: existing, involving or carried
on between two or more nations (Oxford)

Advisor: someone who gives advice, guidance,
mentoring; typically an expert in a particular domain
(Merriam Webster)
POINTS OF THIS PRESENTATION

What is an advisor?
(qualities and requirements)

How does an advisor think?
(utilization of « intelligence »)

What does an advisor do?
(functions and strategies)

Where does an advisor work?
(scenarios)
 What
is an advisor’s mission?
(raison d'être)
A CHANGING REALITY
Demographic changes
 Epidemiological transition
 Urbanization
 New technologies
 Access to information
 Democratization
 Globalization
 Human rights
 Health systems and services
 Biological, economic, social, political and
environmental determinants of health

DIFFERENT SCENARIOS
Geography and demographics
 Acute vs. chronic problems
 Multiplicity of problems in the same location
 Cultural factors
 Capacity of response at local and national levels
 Actors and agents of technical and financial
cooperation and their interactions

QUALITIES OF GOOD ADVISORS

Knowledge

Energy

Experience

Communication

Commitment

Persuasion

Responsibility

Resilience

Empathy

Humility

Passion

Patience
HOW DOES AN ADVISOR THINK?
(UTILIZATION OF « INTELLIGENCE")

Critical intelligence
Is there a problem or not?

Analytical intelligence
Why is this a problem?
What is its etiology?

Problem-solving intelligence
Is it possible and feasible to solve it?
How? When? Who? With what?

Creative intelligence
Think, imagine, invent, adapt, adopt, transform

Emotional intelligence
Intuition, perception, empathy
WHAT DOES AN ADVISOR DO?
Advises on and catalyses:
 Problem identification
 Decision-making
 Planning, implementation and evaluation
 Advocacy
 Mobilization of resources
 Training and education
 Transfer of technology and methods
 Production of knowledge
 Information dissemination
WHERE SHOULD AN ADVISOR WORK?

In an « ivory tower »?

In the field?

In both?
WHAT IS AN INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR’S
MISSION?
To be an agent of change who responds
effectively to a changing reality to solve
problems in different scenarios, thereby
contributing to better health and welfare
of people across the world.
GHIA
What is GHIA?
“A ship that we are building as we sail.”