[afro-nets] DFID's strategy for improving health in developing countries

["Claudio Schuftan" <claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn>]

From: "Vern Weitzel" <vern.weitzel@gmail.com>

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/health-strategy07.pdf

Working together for better health

DFID's strategy for improving health in developing countries

Authors: 
Publisher: Department for International Development, UK, 2007

Full text of document
This paper sets out DFID's strategy to support developing countries in
Improving the health of their people and reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The paper outlines three major challenges to improving the health of poor people including: slow progress in achieving the MDGs and addressing the major causes of disease; failure to invest in strengthening systems which can deliver essential health services; and poor co-ordination of international support leading to inefficiencies in delivering aid.

The strategy identifies four priorities to achieve better health for poor people:
* Delivering more resources for health
* Expanding access to basic services
* Improving the effectiveness of international funding for health
* Demonstrating results and building evidence of what works

The paper concludes that strengthening health systems, integrating efforts, focusing on the major causes of disease, and delivering more resources effectively, are essential factors for improving poor people’s health. It recommends that governments and donors must link their ambitions on health with national plans for systems that deliver fair access to quality services, and also work to demonstrate the results of investment.

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Claudio Schuftan
mailto:claudio@hcmc.netnam.vn