Options for International Health
Credit: MamaYe!/Ghana

Options for International Health

Options for International Health (OIH) is a registered charity, established by Options in 2015 as a charitable entity that can work alongside Options’ programmes to bring sustainable improvements in the health of women and children.

OIH focuses on those living in poverty, disadvantaged or vulnerable situations. OIH aims to:

  • Strengthen and increase access to healthcare services
  • Improve the quality of healthcare provision
  • Improve maternal and newborn survival through targeted research and analysis, the results of which are packaged to advocate for improved delivery of health services
  • Increase public awareness and attention towards ending the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM)

Our first grant, from UNICEF, was to produce data and materials for Countdown to 2015 to contribute to reducing maternal, neonatal, and child mortality in countries where more than 95 per cent of maternal and child deaths occur. The materials will raise awareness and encourage use of data for advocacy and decision-making by national policy makers, academics, donors, international and national non-governmental organisations.

OIH works closely with The Girl Generation, a UK government funded programme that aims to end FGM in this generation.  The Girl Generation is an African-led movement formed with some of the most pioneering organisations that have been tackling FGM over recent years. In coming together as a movement, their actions are gaining considerable momentum and are galvanising to attract widespread support for ending FGM. OIH is supporting this by leveraging additional funds, either from institutional donors for the broader agenda to end FGM, or via donations for grassroots initiatives identified by The Girl Generation.

Options for International Health is a registered company limited by guarantee (Company No. 91374505) and a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1160066), our registered office address is: 2nd Floor, St Magnus House, 3 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6HD.  Our trustees are Jo Elms, Allison Barter, Alison Dembo Rath, Claire Morris, Sally Hughes and Richard Burge.

For more information:

Coming soon

Technical Director
Alison Dembo Rath leads Options’ health systems work, with a particular focus on South Asia. She has over 20 years’ experience in design, management, monitoring and evaluation of health systems development programmes at policy and implementation levels. Building on her early career in nursing in the UK, Alison has particular expertise in delivering quality maternal and newborn health care services. Alison has experience of working across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, managing DFID-funded maternal health and health sector programmes in India and Nepal.
Chief Operating Officer
Allison Barter is a qualified accountant and has extensive experience across the charity, NGO, academic and commercial sectors. As Chief Operating Officer, Allison has executive responsibility for the daily operations of the company. This includes designing, improving and managing all operational processes and working structures.
Managing Director
Jo Elms became Managing Director of Options in 2013, bringing insights gained over a career of more than 20 years in international development. Jo has held leadership positions in a range of organisations and has substantial experience of developing strategies and partnerships across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Since joining Options in 2006, Jo has directed its portfolio of international programmes and has ensured the growth of Options has been combined with high standards of delivery.

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