Students take HC841 as part of the Program in International Health Practice Philippines. This program is open to students in the MPH program by application only; students must apply by the stated deadlines. The goal of HC841 is for students to acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of community health financing alternatives by exposure to actual community financing programs in the Philippines. Students learn how poor communities pool their resources to pay for medical care when it is needed. Specifically, students meet with fund managers at each of the rural health funds, interview them to find out how such a fund is set up and how it is kept running. Students pay special attention to discovering lessons of success at each of these community health financing funds, and any pitfalls experienced along the way. Community members are also interviewed, to find out their personal experience with a community financed health care system. In addition, students meet others involved with the community financing system, including midwives, rural health workers, and physicians, to discover their personal experiences with community financing systems.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the Student Link for the most up-to-date course information.