Financing for Health
Millions of people have little or no access to healthcare. Despite the vast increase in health investments, this situation continues to exist. It is essential that governments and donors not only spend more money on health but that they also take greater care to ensure fairer distribution, so that investments reach those who need them most.
Wemos lobbies for:
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Fair funding for health through the application of equity principles.
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Financing models which improve access to healthcare for the poorest members of society.
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Powerful global governance for the improvement of global public health.
Both the amount of money available and the way in which it is collected and spent determine who benefits from investments in healthcare. It is not yet entirely clear how health insurance and performance-based financing can contribute to greater equity. But we do know that the effectiveness of donor investments is improving at a slow pace. Accordingly, new steps are badly needed, such as making agreements about global governance and good policy for the benefit of public health worldwide (global health governance). A stronger focus on health in other policy areas is also needed.
Activities
Wemos is working to achieve a fair distribution of financial resources for health in developing countries by:
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analysing knowledge, converting it into policy recommendations and identifying gaps in knowledge, together with alliance partner Cordaid and the Health Insurance for the Poor Platform (HIP);
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consulting researchers and health networks worldwide with a view to exchanging knowledge, establishing a joint position and setting priorities;
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taking part in the international debate on global health governance, together with Medicus Mundi International (MMI) and People’s Health Movement (PHM), on issues such as the role of the European Union and reforms to the World Health Organization;
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urging the Dutch government to make a stand for greater equity and effectiveness in donor financing for health; and
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convincing the European Commission (EC) to put access to healthcare for the poorest at the heart of the future EU Development Policy.
Lobbying results
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Wemos has initiated a dialogue between policymakers, researchers and representatives of civil society organizations on how financing models can contribute to equity.
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Wemos has introduced equity principles into discussions on reforming the World Health Organization.
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Together with Members of the European Parliament, the Royal Tropical Institute and Medico International Wemos has organized a hearing in the European Parliament.
More information
The project Financing for Health is part of 'Health Unlimited', Wemos' initiative to make health (care) more sustainable. Read more
Last update: July 17, 2012
