New International Health Partnership must build on AIDS accountability
24 September 2007
5 September 2007 saw UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown launch a new International Health Partnership in London. The aim of the partnership, established between the UK government and other governments, donors and international organisations, including the Alliance, is to accelerate progress on the health-related millennium development goals (MDGs), by supporting better co-ordination, planning and accountability within state health systems in poorer countries.
Alvaro Bermejo, Alliance executive director, applauded the partnership: “We welcome the recognition of the importance of strong health systems in responding to HIV and achieving the health-related MDGs,” he said. But he also stressed that the new initiative must build on the proven success of the Global Fund in getting much-needed resources to those in need in a transparent and accountable way. Those present at the launch were also all too aware that the partnership will need adequate support to function effectively.
Action for Global Health – of which the Alliance is a member – voiced concern about the lack of funds available to achieve the health MDGs. "We welcome the recognition of the importance of health systems, but want to see European governments make good their promises and ensure full financing is available," said Action for Global Health Policy and Advocacy Officer, Kate Hawkins. “If Universal Access and the health-related MDGs are to be achieved,” Mr Bermejo added, “the international community needs to increase significantly the level of funds available for global health. Countries cannot progress towards the health MDGs spending $15 per person per year on health.”
One of the countries in the so-called ‘first wave’ of nations, where the partnership will be initially put to the test, is Cambodia. Oum Sopheap, Executive Director of KHANA, the Alliance linking organisation in Cambodia, pointed out the importance of transparency in the partnership: “An important part of the success of this initiative will rest on the creation of mechanisms to ensure accountability and good governance,” he said, “to track how general budget support funding is used, and how much reaches the most vulnerable and marginalised. Complementary mechanisms will need to be put in place if the evidence shows money is not reaching those most in need.”
Dr Sopheap finished by underlining the strategic importance of ensuring that health systems are broadly defined to include the work that NGOs and communities contribute, and not just government services. “The marginalisation and legal status of sex workers and drug users in Cambodia, for example…means that the government relies almost exclusively on civil society to reach these groups,” he said. “Strengthening these community health systems as part of overall health system strengthening will therefore be crucial. Mechanisms must also be created to ensure that civil society can be fully engaged in national governance, planning and implementation of health strategies.”
