Development of Health Professional Associations' Organizational Capacities in Low-income Countries: Myth or Reality in Haiti?

Over the last decade, the Societe haitienne d'obstetrique et de gynecologie (SHOG) has positioned itself as a key player in the maternal and neonatal health agenda in the country. This transformation arose from the association's commitment to strengthening its organizational capacities in order to enhance its operations and consolidate its contribution to the national efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality. The SHOG benefited from the SOGC's technical assistance to reinforce its organizational capacities, support that it received as part of the SOGC Partnership Program from professional associations working in low-income countries. We describe the results of the SHOG's organizational assessments in 2008 (in the middle of the five-year cycle) and in 2006, according to the organizational capacity development approach promoted by the SOGC. A comparison of the 2008 and the 2006 assessment results shows that the SHOG progressed substantially during that period, shifting from "basic-moderate" to "moderate" regarding its organizational capacity, its operational capacities and its relationships with other organizations, including the way it is perceived by interested parties involved in the maternal and neonatal health agenda. The SHOG's experience shows that the SOGC's approach to capacity development can assist professional associations committed to reinforcing their organizational capacities in a tangible way. This will enhance their contribution to the national efforts pertaining to maternal and newborn health in their country.