Health in the Developing World: The Case for a New Funding and Support Agency

Abstract

This article discusses the public health crisis currently engulfing much of the developing world. The article aims to emphasize that current efforts to combat the situation have not succeeded in significantly lessening the burdens caused by disease or improving the health statistics. It proposes an innovative model of funding and assistance through the creation of a new agency to assist in developing and implementing a holistic, health framework in developing countries.

This article contends that certain principles are critical to the ultimate success of the agency. First, the agency should only provide support for those nations willing to commit government resources to prioritising health. Second, continuing funding and assistance should be conditional on the nation demonstrating and maintaining its commitment to health. Third, the agency should base its work on the policy guidelines and frameworks developed by the WHO. Fourth, the agency should not apply a top down one-size-fits all approach to improving health; instead it should work in partnership with the requesting country to design a tailored plan appropriate for its specific needs and developmental level. This article contends that without due regard to local issues and active involvement of local stakeholders, all international solutions are bound to fail.

Keywords: international health law, public health, developing countries, access to medicines, health care, WHO, international economic law

JEL Classification: K32, K33, H51, I18