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 Image courtesy of
Giacomo Pirozzi/Panos Pictures
Today
marks six months since the Prime Minister, Ministers from developing and
donor countries, and leaders from all of the major health agencies
launched the International Health Partnership (IHP).
On 5th September 2007, the Prime Minister stated: "Today we come
together - donor governments, health agencies and developing countries -
with the certainty that we have the knowledge and the power to save
millions of lives through our efforts."
The IHP is not about money – aid has doubled in recent years. It is
about working better and smarter to ensure that aid is used in the most
effective way. Signatories to the IHP have agreed that in order to
accelerate progress to meet the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
we must improve coordination between donors, build sustainable health
systems, and donors must be unified behind countries' own health plans.
Eight developing countries have signed up to the IHP –
Burundi,
Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Mali,
Nepal and
Zambia.
Since the launch eight key health aid agencies have brought the
partners together at global level and within the IHP countries, under
the strong leadership of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the
World Bank.
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 Although
not much time has passed since the launch, there has been encouraging
progress within the IHP countries, with all currently working on
developing country compacts. These country compacts will involve all key
partners in each of the countries agreeing how best to implement the IHP
in their countries.
IHP partners in Burundi, for example, were able to sign a framework
agreement on 22 February 2008, signalling early agreement as to how
their country compact will look.
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Health facts |
Spending on health per person per year:
- UK average: £1,400
- Sub-Saharan Africa: £5
- World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended
minimum: £17
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Health workers:
- WHO’s recommended minimum is five health workers per 2,000
people
- In some countries there is only one health worker per 1,000
people
- In Europe there are ten per 1,000
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The coordination problem:
- There are more than 40 bilateral donors
- 26 UN agencies
- 20 global and regional funds and
- 90 global health initiatives
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Every year, £515 million of UK direct aid goes to health
DFID's total spending on health is close to £800 million |
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Directgov |
