Aid Effectiveness: The Just Global Health System the World Needs
One of my students sent me this photo. I love it because its message is simple and clear, the way the global health system should be. I believe that when global health programs and initiatives become confusing and complex, our work can become ineffective. We must first simplify and ensure clarity and transparency. To do that, we must change or eliminate anything that does not lead to justice. I think the world has enough resources to build a just global health system, but the world, starting with the WHO, needs to change how resources are being used. We must help the WHO simplify its work and lead the global effort for simplification, focus and coordination.
Let me explain why we need to simplify: Without a common global framework of accountability and effectiveness, it is impossible to say whether the many initiatives and programs actually work or not (with new ones seemingly launched every day).
The world needs a just and effective global health system in which every country has an effective healthcare delivery system, innovative and visionary academic institutions that prepare health professionals to meet future needs, and effective public health programs and institutions that manage and are accountable for all of the above. To achieve this vision of a just global health system, we need focus and coordination. We must help WHO modernize its structure and organization to lead the world and fulfill its mission as stated in its constitution.
Without a focused, coordinated and simplified strategy that leverages the work from all the programs, organizations, and initiatives in global health, the world will not have a just health system and WHO will perish because it will become irrelevant and will not fulfill the role for which it was created; that is to progressively attain the highest possible level of health by all peoples.
If you want to learn more about improving aid effectiveness to develop resilient health systems, I invite you to join me at the next free RGH webinar entitled “Aid Effectiveness in Global Health: Getting Back to Basics in Global Health”.
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