2015 health goals need increased funding and practical action from Europe

23 May 2008

Alvaro Bermejo addresses European Parliament Development Committee on behalf of Action for Global Health

At a European Parliament Development Committee meeting on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals in May 2008, the message from Action for Global Health and Jeffrey Sachs, special advisor to the UN secretary general was that, with seven years to go, the Millennium Development Goals are still achievable – but only with more action from Europe. Specific and practical action to improve aid effectiveness must be complemented by a substantial increase in financing. Civil society must also be involved in country-level policy dialogue.

UN member states have committed to achieving the eight Millennium Development goals by 2015. They are to:

  • eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  • achieve universal primary education
  • promote gender equality and empower women
  • reduce child mortality
  • improve maternal health
  • combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
  • ensure environmental sustainability
  • develop a global partnership for development.

The organiser of the meeting, the European Parliament’s Committee on Development, monitors progress in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

“Time is running out,” said Jeffrey Sachs. He said that if Europe is not going to meet its official development assistance targets “we should call off the Millennium Development Goals right now.”

Sachs criticized the European Commission for its general budget support approach, arguing that there is no control over where the money goes. He urged them to use practical and deliverable mechanisms to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, support community health workers, provide education for all – and finance them.

The European Commission Director of Development Policy, Luis Reira, responded that the commission is doing everything it can to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals and that budget support – wherever conditions allow – is the most effective way of ensuring country-owned and sustainable aid.

Alvaro Bermejo, the Alliance’s executive director, speaking on behalf of Action for Global Health – a network of European NGOs conducting advocacy work on the health Millennium Development Goals – said that this aid needs to reach those with the greatest need.

“If civil society organisations continue to be excluded, health outcomes and accountability will not be achieved,” continued Alvaro Bermejo. “We need to recognise the important role that community health workers and family members play in the health response, and ensure that civil society is included in policy dialogue.”

“Despite good intentions,” he said, “the current aid situation still emphasises accountability from government to donors, rather than to local stakeholders.”

“This is far from the notion of country ownership envisioned by many working in the health sector.”

Discussions from the meeting will feed into the Committee’s forthcoming report on the European Commission proposal: The Millennium Development Goals Contract.