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Target global funds ‘to health systems, not diseases’

UK health professionals are urging the United Nations to avoid ‘isolated disease-control programmes’ as the focus of its new global health fund.

Instead, the priority should be ‘building health systems’ at a time when health care services in many poor countries are on the point of collapse, according to Medact, which campaigns for global health and security.

The UN has launched a global fund to tackle the world’s three major infectious disease: TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS. The fund is expected to total $7-10bn, and is welcomed by Medact.

But there is a danger of setting up ‘vertical programmes’ for these three diseases which are disconnected from local health systems, says Medact director Mike Rowson.

‘At the time of greatest need, health systems in many low income countries are at the point of collapse and unable to respond,’ he said. ‘The global health fund should not be simply another short lived gesture by the international community. Instead, it should weave itself into existing efforts to improve the situation of the poorest countries.’

Medact: 020 7272 2020. www.medact.org