Menu
This International Self-Care Day, July 24th, we are faced with an opportunity to reimagine our health care systems. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, it has presented us with a chance to transform the status quo, shore up stressed health care systems and build better for tomorrow.
One way to do this? Through self-care interventions for health. To drive healthier outcomes during the COVID-19 crisis, every lever available must be used to increase access to needed services, information, technology and tools. This includes equipping, empowering and encouraging people to meet their own health needs through self-care.
Throughout the week, the Self-Care Trailblazer Group will be shining a light on different members of our group who are doing just that. From HIV self-testing, to digital technologies, to empowerment opportunities for young girls to own their health care decisions, self-care is a crucial way forward.
Check back throughout the week for spotlights and social media highlights as we celebrate International Self-Care Day 2020.
We asked our members how they believed self-care had the ability to build better for tomorrow. Here’s what they said!
To celebrate International Self-Care Day with us, find our toolkit here!
Our first monthly spotlight focuses on Aidsfonds – Soa Aids Nederlands, a Dutch non-profit organization working internationally towards a world without AIDS with a focus on the people and regions most affected. Learn more from Alexander Medik of Aidsfonds as he discusses its self-care work as they put the power back in the hands of young people so that they can identify their own health needs, effectively manage their health conditions and access appropriate health technologies.
The global response to HIV is now threatened on many fronts: insufficient funding, myriad challenges posed by COVID-19, and slow adoption of new HIV service technologies and delivery methods. UNAIDS now reports inequitable progress and recent setbacks in many countries. Putting HIV services and care in the hands of individuals will be part of the solution. Learn more about how self-care can be a vital part of the response, here.
For our second member spotlight, the Self-Care Trailblazer Group is focusing on Marie Stopes International (MSI), a global organization working to deliver reproductive choice for women. Learn more from Raveena Chowdhury, Head of Integrated Service Delivery as she discusses how MSI is working to deliver sexual and reproductive healthcare safely during the pandemic and beyond.
Tomorrow, July 24th marks International Self-Care Day, an annual opportunity to put a spotlight on self-care and the benefits that effective self-care can bring to both individuals and health systems as a vital foundation of health care. Throughout the month of July, we’ve amplified the importance of making quality self-care interventions available, affordable, acceptable and accessible to all those who need them. Learn more about how self-care can help build health systems #better4tomorrow.
To mark International Self-Care Day, Population Services International and partners under the Self-Care Trailblazers Working Group are sharing a new Quality of Care Framework for Self-Care to help health systems monitor and support clients accessing health care on their own—without hindering clients’ ability to do so. Adapted from the Bruce-Jain family planning quality of care framework, the Quality of Care for Self-Care includes five domains and 41 standards that can be applied to a broad range of primary health care approaches to self-care.
With overarching commitments to flexibility in our work, and greater wellbeing for our employees, we want to ensure PSI is positioned for success with a global and holistic view of talent. Under our new “work from (almost) anywhere,” or “WFAA” philosophy, we are making the necessary investments to be an employer of record in more than half of U.S. states, and consider the U.S. as one single labor market for salary purposes. Globally, we recognize the need to compete for talent everywhere; we maintain a talent center in Nairobi and a mini-hub in Abidjan. PSI also already works with our Dutch-based European partner, PSI Europe, and we’re creating a virtual talent center in the UK.
PSI is firmly committed to the meaningful engagement of young people in our work. As signatories of the Global Consensus Statement on Meaningful Adolescent & Youth Engagement, PSI affirms that young people have a fundamental right to actively and meaningfully engage in all matters that affect their lives. PSI’s commitments aim to serve and partner with diverse young people from 10-24 years, and we have prioritized ethics and integrity in our approach. Read more about our commitments to the three core principles of respect, justice and Do No Harm in the Commitment to Ethics in Youth-Powered Design. And read more about how we are bringing our words to action in our ICPD+25 commitment, Elevating Youth Voices, Building Youth Skills for Health Design.
PSI works to ensure that its operations and supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. Read more about this commitment in our policy statement, endorsed by the PSI Board of Directors.
Since 2017, PSI has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, a commitment to align strategies and operations with universal principles of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Read about PSI’s commitment to the UN Global Compact here.
The health of PSI’s consumers is inextricably linked to the health of our planet. That’s why we’ve joined the Climate Accountability in Development as part of our commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Read about our commitment to environmental sustainability.
PSI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Read our full affirmative action and equal employment opportunity policy here.
PSI is committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment that fosters harmonious, productive working relationships and encourages mutual respect among team members. Read our policy against discrimination and harassment here.
PSI is committed to serving all health consumers with respect, and strives for the highest standards of ethical behavior. PSI is dedicated to complying with the letter and spirit of all laws, regulations and contractual obligations to which it is subject, and to ensuring that all funds with which it is entrusted are used to achieve maximum impact on its programs. PSI provides exceptionally strong financial, operational and program management systems to ensure rigorous internal controls are in place to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse and ensure compliance with the highest standards. Essential to this commitment is protecting the safety and well-being of our program consumers, including the most vulnerable, such as women and children. PSI maintains zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitative acts or threats by our employees, consultants, volunteers or anyone associated with the delivery of our programs and services, and takes seriously all complaints of misconduct brought to our attention.
PSI affirms its commitment to diversity and believes that when people feel respected and included they can be more honest, collaborative and successful. We believe that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background or religious beliefs. Read our commitment to diversity and inclusion here. Plus, we’ve signed the CREED Pledge for Racial and Ethnic Equity. Learn more.
PSI affirms gender equality is a universal human right and the achievement of it is essential to PSI’s mission. Read about our commitment to gender equality here.
From ministries of health to regulatory bodies and purchasers, we partner with private and public sector players to provide seamless health services to consumers – no matter their entry point to care.
Across 40+ countries, we scale digital solutions that make it easier for people to take ownership of their own health, and health systems to use resources efficiently and increase health impact.
We support health systems in shaping the policy and regulatory environment for self-care interventions and ensuring self-care is included as an essential part of healthcare services.
