Recommended readings
Aid instruments and the very poor: the case of Global Health Partnerships
Global Health Partnerships: better understanding needed of impact on the very poor
Authors:
H. Wells
Publisher:
Department for International Development Health Systems Resource Centre , 2005
This paper, produced by the DFID Systems Health Resource Centre, reviews the literature on Global Health Partnerships (GHPs) and their impact on the health needs of the very poor. The paper explores ways in which and to what extent GHPs currently target the very poor and asks what future role GHPs should play in this respect. The author notes that GHPs are self-targeted to the extent that they focus on diseases that are mainly faced by the poor, or on services that the poor stand to benefit from. In addition, GHPs have achieved some success at a global level, particularly in generating additional funds, allocating resources and reducing commodity prices.
However, the author highlights several areas of concern, including differences in the profile of the poor at country level, which may mean these most vulnerable groups are not reached through GHPs. Local variations may also mean that global level principles or actions, such as commodity price negotiations, are irrelevant, undermined or even reversed by a range of situations in country. Also, the focus of GHPs on particular diseases may result in the neglect of other priorities. To enable a more accurate assessment of impact on the poor, the author calls for more sensitive systems for the monitoring and evaluation of GHPs than coverage figures alone. [adapted from authors]
