[Alma Mata] DfID strategy for improving health in developing countries

[Fred Martineau]

 <http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/health-strategy07.pdf>Something that may
be of interest:

'Working together for better health -
DFID's strategy for improving health in developing countries'

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

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.