title: Effectiveness and impact of the cross-border healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations: case study of the malaria control programs by health poverty action on the China-Myanmar border.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the Yunnan province of China, 18 counties in six prefectures border Myanmar. Due to its particular combination of geographic features, climate conditions, and cultural landscape, the area provides a suitable environment for the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria. In five identified Myanmar Special Regions along the China-Myanmar border, economic development is lagging, people live in extreme poverty, and the healthcare system is fragile. Coupled with political and other reasons, this precludes malaria control work to be effectively carried out in Myanmar, resulting in a heavy burden of the disease. Frequent population movements and favorable conditions for malaria transmission on the border fuel difficulties in controlling and eliminating the spread of the disease in the area.
  
  
  METHODS
  To reduce the prevalence of malaria in the China-Myanmar border area and improve healthcare services for local residents in this particular environment, Health Poverty Action (HPA) has provided malaria aid in the area since the beginning of 2006, as a sub-recipient of the China Global Fund Malaria Programs. In this case study, we examined HPA's activities as part of its malaria control programs in the area, analyzed and summarized the effectiveness and impact of the cross-border healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations, and put forward suggestions for cross-border health aid models and for the prevention of malaria transmission in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HPA had carried out a great quantity of successful malaria control activities in border areas between China and Myanmar, strengthened the partnership and established the collaboration, coordination and cooperation channels among stakeholders. HPA has laid good groundwork and developed its valuable model that could be highlighted and referenced.
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China. zhangjun@healthunlimited.org.cn.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jia-Qiang
authors: JQ
authors: Dong
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jia-Ying
authors: JY
authors: Li
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yue
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yang-Hui
authors: YH
authors: Tian
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Xiao-Ying
authors: XY
authors: Sun
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Guang-Yun
authors: GY
authors: Zhang
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Qing-Pu
authors: QP
authors: Li
authors: Pu'er Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Xiao-Yu
authors: XY
authors: Xu
authors: Health Poverty Action, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Cai
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002052:Myanmar / Q000453:epidemiology; D009938:Organizations; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: China; Cross-border; Health poverty action; Malaria; Myanmar; Non-governmental organization; Yunnan