Case Study of a Non-Governmental Organization Serving as a Public Service Laboratory to the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health

OBJECTIVE: Present a framework for the public service laboratory model between an NGO and Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health (EMOPH). BACKGROUND: The Quito Project (TQP) is a non-profit NGO that started as a community-based organization in 2004, operating interventions in public health, social work, and education for 8,000 community members of San Martin and San Blas in Quito, Ecuador. In 2008, TQP formed a public-private partnership with the EMOPH, in which TQP serves as a public service laboratory to the Ministry. METHODS: In the public service laboratory model, TQP develops, implements, and evaluates low-cost, innovative programs that address the Ministry's pressing concerns for their health system, such as poor patient follow-up in the community. Pilot programs are staffed and funded by TQP, but designed and implemented with close collaboration from EMOPH. Successful pilot programs are brought to scale with increasing staff and funding from EMOPH, and are rigorously evaluated through multiple trials managed by TQP. Programs demonstrating sufficient effectiveness are adopted by the Ministry, with full funding and staffing coming from local staff. RESULTS: TQP has four programs in its public service laboratory, two of which have demonstrated effectiveness in pilot trials and are being scaled-up with Ministry resources for larger trials to take place starting in June 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The public service laboratory can serve as a model for measurably improving public health and social services to the poor in developing countries, and is an effective way for NGOs and academic institutions to engage with the public sector internationally.