DATA praises International Health Partnership initiative – and urges UK and others to deliver robust increases in funding

09.05.07

The International Health Partnership initiative announced in London today is a much-needed plan to deliver better health care to millions of people in the world’s poorest countries.

DATA’s European Director Oliver Buston said: “Today’s announcement is a crucial step towards better primary health care, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Sound, properly funded health plans, owned and developed by the recipient countries are essential in the fight against poverty, and we commend the British and Norwegian governments for their leadership in this initiative.

“Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands have promised their support – and we urge other donor countries to join them.”

This initiative, primarily aimed at improving efficiency and accountability, must be combined with a strong scaling up of aid spending on health as promised by the G8 at Gleneagles and reiterated at Heiligendamm. Africa in particular suffers from a lack of medical staff and weak health infrastructure. Spending on health in Africa is only a tiny fraction of what is needed to meet the most basic requirements.

Later this month in Berlin, donors will meet to decide on replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS TB and Malaria.

“Donors, including Britain, must show they mean business,” said Buston.

“The Global Fund has been very successful in increasing access to AIDS treatment and in fighting malaria. It has already saved an estimated 2 million lives. This is precisely the kind of country-owned, accountable and effective funding system that should receive increased support.”