Institute of Health Management
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
What ?
sector
Where ?
When ?
With whom ?
Up-streaming UNICEF’s HIV AIDS portfolio in Malaysia
Sector?
HIV AIDS; Child rights; Women
What?
Strategic partnerships; Strategic communication; Dialogue management;
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
UNICEF has enjoyed a longstanding fruitful partnership with the Government of Malaysia. However with Malaysia graduating into a fast developing middle-income country it was felt that UNICEF could support the government better by becoming a policy partner. Countering HIV AIDS was one of the two MDGs that were eluding Malaysia. UNICEF felt that it could add value to the efforts of the government in that area.
When?
2005
What exactly?
Identifying key areas of support required by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to address HIV AIDS & children & Youth in Malaysia. Key components of this support involved
- Identification of potential partners and analysis of their capacity & risk
- High level negotiations and building of strategic partnership with government and civil society representatives.
- Policy analysis and advise on partnerships, HIV AIDS.
- Development of project portfolio on HIV/ AIDS.
With- whom?
UNICEF
Prime Minister’s Office, Malaysia
Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Institute of Health Management, Malaysia
Ministry of Women and Community Development, Malaysia
What happened?
UNICEF became a close partner of the Malaysian government in addressing HIV AIDS through policy interventions.
“ I believe Sunoor Verma is well apt to mediate in conflicts, as he comes across as straightforward and trustworthy, calm and with a good listening ear. ”
Ulrika Lindberg-Labasauskas
Head of Development Cooperation
Embassy of Sweden in Skopje
Scaling up Harm reduction nationwide
Sector?
HIV AIDS; Harm reduction; Child rights; Women
What?
Strategic partnerships; Strategic communication; Assessments& Evaluation
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
To counter the tide of HIV AIDS in Malaysia it was important to scale up the methadone substitution therapy and needle syringe exchange program nationwide.However there was opposition to this from a variety of influential quarters.
When?
2006, 2007
What exactly?
Sunoor Verma launched the consultations with the Ministry of Health, Royal Malaysian Police and civil society partners on the drafting of a National Strategic Plan on Harm Reduction. He then provided all the necessary support for the drafting of this national strategy in terms of technical expertise.
With- whom?
UNICEF
Ministry of Health, Government of Malaysia
Royal Malaysian Police
Institute of Health Management
What happened?
Strategic plan for scale up of Harm Reduction was adopted and budgeted by the government and was implemented nationwide.
I attributemy success in Malaysia to some key factors that I feels are vital though very rare to find:
A visionary-
UNICEF in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei was headed by Gaye Phillips who not only had a vision but also the courage to recognize that strategic partnerships can take the agenda forward. She articulated her vision and asked me to go and make things happen while she would ensure that there is Prime Minister and Royalty level support and that internal UN bureaucracy does not come in the way. Her experience as a long serving CEO of UNICEF in Australia gave her insight into the UN system without stifling her thinking as her accountability lay with Australian citizens who contribute to UNICEF’s coffers. Each and every partner of UNICEF in Malaysia was convinced that Gaye Phillip’s one point agenda is the well being of Malaysian children. This is rare for any Representative of a UN agency. She enjoyed equal credibility with government, private sector, civil society, royalty and above all the team she led. Every day I learnt some thing new and positive from Gaye Phillips when working as her Senior Advisor in Malaysia.
A catalyst
Indra Nadchatram was former CEO of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation and later UNICEF’s Communication Officer. Indra unhesitatingly shared with me her entire knowledge bank on the HIV AIDS landscape in Malaysia, encouraging me to take steps in unchartered territories yet warning me of potential land mines and also connecting me to the key players. Indra’s dedication to the well being of children and to halting the spread of HIV AIDS was a fountain of inspiration for me during my stay in Malaysia. It always helped having an office right next to Indra’s.
Committed local partners
The late Dr. Rohani, Dr. Christopher Lee, Dr. Norliza Noorodin, Dr. Hayati and Dr. Shaari of the Ministry of Health were committed to the fight against HIV AIDS at a time when it was the least sexy portfolio at their Ministry. Datuk Chua Soi Lek the Minister for Health took the bold step of introducing harm reduction well conscious of the political risk it carried. Shayne Nelson, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank who nurtured a culture of community service at all levels at his bank and launched the “Living with HIV” program in Malaysia in 2002, which educated 3000 of the bank’s employees on the basics of HIV AIDS.Fashion designer Sonny San who organized the first public fundraising for UNICEF… people who went way beyond the call of duty, everyday. They welcomed me warmly to their offices and were always willing to engage in discussions and search for solutions.
“ Through his extensive network of contacts, Sunoor Verma has built a keen understanding of the various concerns of potential donors and addresses them proactively in his project designs. Additionally, Sunoor Verma is quick to address new concerns as they arise. In this manner, Sunoor Verma maintains a high level of confidence on the part of potential donors, greatly facilitating budget negotiations in so doing.”
Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues
Setting up a think tank on health policy with the government
Sector?
Global Health; Child rights; Women
What?
Capacity building; Strategic partnerships; Fundraising; Assessments & Evaluations
Where?
Malaysia
Why?
Malaysia has a network of nine National Institutes of Health under the Ministry of Health. One of these is the Institute of Health Management in Kuala Lumpur. A joint review by the Prime Minister’s Office (EPU), Ministry of Health and UNICEF presented the need for a think tank in the area of healthy policy, finance and management.
When?
2006-2007
What exactly?
With- whom?
UNICEF
Institute of Health Management (National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
What happened?
Set up a UNICEF collaborating centre at the Institute of Health Management (National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mission of this health policy centre is to provide accurate and timely information to health care decision-makers, analysts and providers, so that they can offer services, which are effective and efficient in improving the health of Malaysians.
“ Sunoor Verma’s work in the field of development stands out in its attention to detail, its constant innovation, its involvement of stakeholders at all stages of project design and implementation, and, most important, in its sustainability. ”
Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues