Transforming Boundaries into Bridges: Lessons Learned from Asia and Americas for Dengue Control Symposium
Transforming Boundaries into Bridges: Lessons Learned from Asia and Americas for Dengue Control Symposium
182 - The Unusual Challenges and Advantages of a Non-Profit Organization: The Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit in the Current Dengue Outbreak.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM AST
Location: 208 A
Abstract: Most municipal vector management organizations are associated with a government or agency with tax authority. However, the Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit is a non-profit organization, independent of any governmental agency. This arrangement has both advantages and disadvantages to IVM implementation.
This arrangement has disadvantages. First, the Unit is constantly looking for funding and there is always the chance that an important grant will not be funded. Second, no association with any government means that the Unit lacks operational authority. Any vector management operation must first be approved by local government and by territorial government. This creates response delays that lead to additional cases of vector borne disease. A corollary of this issue is that the Unit is restricted in evaluating new products – it must first obtain permission from these same actors. Given Puerto Rico’s history of being used to test harmful products, there is suspicion surrounding new product testing here.
The advantages are also significant. Being unassociated with any government means that the Unit is more widely accepted by the municipalities and citizens. They are more responsive, and the Unit can work in some areas that are not accessible to government such as public housing projects. Another advantage is that the Unit is free to explore any avenue of vector control. It founded the Puerto Rico Vector Management Association which is hosting this meeting. It also created a subsidiary, PRVCU International, that works exclusively outside of the US.
The non-profit organization is a different model for vector management in the US. It has taken time for us to develop this model into a functional one and we have learned many lessons. This presentation will build on these points, share lessons learned, and speculate how this arrangement may be applicable to more traditional programs.
