Fact Sheet
The Global Health Service Partnership
The Peace Corps, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Global Health Service Corps (GHSC) are launching the Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP), an innovative public-private partnership to place nurses, physicians and other health professionals as adjunct faculty in medical or nursing schools overseas. The new volunteers will help improve medical and nursing education and build capacity in the health care systems of developing countries.
Background: Demand for More Health Expertise
GHSP will help address the shortage of qualified health professionals by investing in capacity and creating sustainable practices for local health care workforces. GHSP responds to expressed host country demand, advances PEPFAR’s commitment to training and retaining more health care workers in countries with high HIV disease burden, and provides an innovative volunteer opportunity for Americans.
In January 2012, Peace Corps announced the expansion of the Peace Corps Response program, allowing experienced professionals to serve in short-term, high impact Peace Corps assignments in dozens of countries around the world. GHSP volunteers will serve as members of Peace Corps Response.
An Innovative Public-Private Partnership
The Peace Corps has a rich, 50-year history of preparing and sending American volunteers for service overseas. Drawing on its networks within the United States, GHSC will raise awareness of the program among qualified professionals who may be interested in serving as GHSP volunteers, and provide technical support to the program, volunteers and the teaching institutions abroad. Consulting staff include senior global health leaders skilled and experienced in care delivery, medical education and patient care quality. The GHSC will also raise funds from the private sector to finance loan repayment for GHSP volunteers.
Overview
- In collaboration with PEPFAR country teams, the Peace Corps will work closely with the Ministries of Health, Ministries of Education and identified educational and health institutions to increase capacity and strengthen the quality and sustainability of medical, nursing, and midwifery education and clinical practices.
- GHSP is expected to launch in Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda, placing 10-12 health professionals in training institutions in each of the three partner countries. GHSP may consider expanding to additional countries and disciplines in future years.
- Participants in the program will serve one-year assignments through Peace Corps Response, a program that offers high-impact, short-term assignments for qualified Americans. Some volunteers may also have the option to serve for a second year.
- The application process will begin in September 2012. It is expected that volunteers will be on the ground in the summer of 2013.
- GHSP volunteers will receive the same benefits as Peace Corps Response volunteers, including: monthly living stipends, transportation to and from their country of service, comprehensive medical care, a readjustment allowance and vacation days. Volunteers will also receive additional technical training and support provided by GHSC.
- Qualified volunteers will also be eligible to participate in a privately funded program offering loan repayment for educational debt through the Global Health Service Corps.
- In coordination with host country faculty, GHSP volunteers will function primarily as academic medical or nursing educators. They will also participate in direct clinical care as appropriate to their roles as educators and mentors.
- Volunteers will include board eligible or board certified doctors in core specialties, and nurses who have completed a BSN/MPH, MSN, NP, DNP, or Ph.D. and have a minimum of three years of both clinical and teaching experience.
About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 200,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more
information.
About PEPFAR: The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally and PEPFAR
investments also provide a platform for efforts to address other public health needs. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and others to make smart investments to save lives. For more information, visit www.pepfar.gov.
About the Global Health Service Corps (GHSC): The GHSC is a national non-profit whose mission is to support health professionals to serve in medical, nursing, and public health education in resource-poor settings. Our greater goal is, in collaboration with our partners, to create sustainable
solutions to strengthen health systems and address the vast shortages of health professionals in many parts of the world. GHSC believes educators provide a force multiplier effect. GHSC is committed to helping recruit the best-qualified candidates, including those who may have financial
constraints to service, by raising and disbursing loan repayment and other appropriate stipends of support to individuals chosen for assignments abroad.