In ending the global HIV epidemic, Community-based Organizations and Key Population-led Health Services play an important role. Their contributions in introducing HIV innovations and reaching the underprivileged and most vulnerable populations have been well-documented. Unfortunately, their future contribution to end the HIV epidemic is currently threatened by heavy reliance on international donor funding to sustain their services.
A sustainable social business model is used by Angsamerah as an institution and foundation to create numerous healthcare facilities and educational programs in addition to advocating for high-quality, welcoming, and non-discriminatory healthcare services. “Sustainable” in this sense refers to the ability of programs and services to continue and improve, as well as having the financial stability to maintain them.
On August 30-31, 2022, Angsamerah was invited as a panelist at the “Market-driven Approaches to Advance the Financial Sustainability of Community-based HIV Services in Asia” forum that took place in Bangkok, Thailand. The event was organized by PEPFAR (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), USAID (United States Agency for International Development), EpiC Project, and UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS). The purpose of the meeting was to examine obstacles to scaling up the usage of funding strategies and solutions, exchange case studies and financing plans, and assist country officials from various backgrounds in developing better financial strategies.
Angsamerah was represented by Dr. Inlicia Cutami, M.Med. who presented Social Business Entrepreneurship in sustainable health services established and operated by Angsamerah. She began by explaining the founding of the Angsamerah Institution and the programs created to date, how the social business of the Angsamerah Foundation was formed, benefited from, and sustained, as well as the achievements and future plans.
Since the topic highlighted in this forum was about “financial sustainability”, Dr. Inlicia outlined some key points, specifically:
- It has been proven that it is possible for the private sector to operate sustainable social business in the health sector.
- The strategy is to fill gaps from various market needs in society and limited resources.
- Sustainable social entrepreneurship knowledge and skills can be taught to individuals, NGOs, private organizations, and governments.
Angsamerah’s work was positively received and appreciated by the audience who were mostly stakeholders and representatives from multiple sectors including CBOs, KPLHS, governments, donors, INGOs, social enterprises, and the private sector who desire to contribute their expertise and experience to advance the financing of CBOs and KPLHS in ending HIV.
