Program Data Sheet
964-001

PROGRAM: Central Programs, Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad
PROGRAM TITLE: American Schools and Hospitals Abroad; (Pillars: Economic Growth, Trade and Agriculture; Global Health; Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: U.S. educational and medical technologies and practices demonstrated in selected countries, 964-001
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $ 18,000,000 DA
PRIOR YEAR UNOBLIGATED AND FUNDING SOURCE: $150,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $ 17,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1957      ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: Continuing

Summary: To help selected overseas schools, libraries, and hospitals to demonstrate the best in American education and medicine which: (1) provide the benefits of American educational and medical achievements to people abroad; (2) assist economic and social development through training and outreach programs and by serving as models of advanced practices; (3) increase mutual understanding between the people of the United states and the people of other countries; and (4) serve as overseas centers for fostering a favorable image of the United States.

Inputs, Outputs and Activities: FY 2002 Program: ASHA will obligate approximately $18 million in worldwide grant assistance to demonstrate U.S. advances in educational and medical technology and practices, in areas of research, training, and patient care. The types of grants being funded will provide for:

• construction of new facilities, such as, academic buildings, dormitories, and hospital units;
• renovations to alter or refurbish an existing building or structure; and
• procurement of scientific, medical and academic equipment.

Some of the proposed grant activities will:

• Help meet the increased demands for critical educational programming and reconstruction in developing countries, particularly the Balkan region. The construction of a dormitory will help promote the international environment in which students and faculty may interact in shared space to enhance mutual understanding and promote the values of democratic institutions and structure of a civil society.
• Improve agricultural farm facilities used for practical instruction of both high school and college students.
• Provide medical equipment that would improve the screening, management and storage of hospital blood supply by computerizing the blood bank management and tracking system; upgrade methods of screening donors for infections; provide a rapid plasma freezing system to ensure quality of components prepared.
• Improve and expand the quality of patient care, medical education and research through the construction of improved hospital infrastructure and, procurement of hardware and system software, surgical, urology and critical care equipment/commodities.
• Upgrade the technology for research, diagnostics, specialty care, and postgraduate teaching.
• Provide equipment to upgrade and expand laboratory and teaching facilities.

Planned FY 2003 Program: ASHA plans to use FY 2003 resources to continue supporting institutions that demonstrate U.S. advances in educational and medical technology and practices, in areas of research, training, and patient care. ASHA will provide grants to those overseas institutions to upgrade and expand their educational and medical research and training facilities. While continuing to maintain geographic balance, a particular focus this year will be on assisting agricultural high schools, recognizing the key role these institutions can play in the economic development of emerging countries.

Performance and Results: The institutions assisted in FY 2001 have long histories that are attributed to the substantial numbers of Americans that have maintained interest in the advancement and well-being of people aboard. This is demonstrated by the thousands of Americans that have devoted their careers to expanding high-quality educational and medical opportunities overseas and by the hundreds of thousands of individuals in the United States that have supported these institutions with their contributions of time, energy and resources.

The ASHA assisted institutions included: (1) secondary schools which provided academic and vocational training; (2) undergraduate institutions with programs in liberal arts, medicine, nursing, agriculture and the sciences; and (3) graduate institutions which provided specialized training to potential national and international leaders in health sciences, physical sciences and other professional areas; (4) libraries which opened access to information and encourage its use in decision making; and (5) medical centers which prepared leaders in the professions, influenced standards and provided facility and community-based health care, training and research. These institutions were able to construct and equip facilities, thereby improving access to and the quality of educational and medical services. They contributed directly to development of a country or region by providing education and medical services in areas where the need was overwhelming and U.S. approaches and organizations are recognized as the world standard. They reflected U.S. standards and practices in administration, management, medical research and training, democracy and governance, private initiative, free inquiry and innovative approaches to problem solving. Funding also helped local institutions develop and implement programs which otherwise would not have been possible, and to take advantage of opportunities which contribute to the growth of the institutions and benefit the local community.

Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: ASHA grantees are private, non-profit U.S. organizations that founded or sponsor overseas institutions.

US Financing in Thousands of Dollars