The International Health Partnership

The International Health Partnership (IHP) was launched by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in September 2007. It is an agreement between donor countries, developing countries and international health agencies and foundations to ensure that development partners and governments work better together, and that they direct their support to the priorities identified in the national health plans of poor countries. The IHP aims to make health aid work better for poor countries and accelerate progress by doing three things:

• provide better coordination among donors
  
• focus on improving health systems including infrastructure and training, rather than on individual diseases or issues
  
• develop and support countries’ own health plans.
  

There are seven ‘first wave’ recipient countries (Burundi, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal and Zambia) who will strengthen their planning and accountability mechanisms and show more clearly how external support has led to improvements in health. These countries have committed to increase funding for health care and ensure access to services for the poorest people.

For more information go to: www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ihp/default.asp