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NEPAD health strategy - Initial programme of action
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6. MOBILISE SUFFICIENT SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES
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Seek commitments of countries to develop a timetable to reaching the agreed benchmark of allocating 15% of public spending to health
One of the central features of the NEPAD health strategy is the case for substantially increased funding for the health sector. A key premise of NEPAD is that countries will do what they can to achieve the goals of NEPAD, before seeking development partner support. It is therefore imperative to show citizens, the continent and the international community the importance that countries place on health. The litmus test of a country's commitment is its financial allocation to the health sector. African Heads of State have committed themselves to reaching the benchmark of allocating 15% of public spending to health. Without African countries establishing their credibility in this regard any call for development partner support could have a rather hollow sound.
This programme therefore seeks to mobilise and advocate for countries to commit themselves to a clear timetable towards achieving the 15% benchmark. Countries can also show their commitment by preferentially allocating funds mobilised through debt cancellation or relief towards health. There must also be a concrete expression of stated commitments to equity for the poorest and most marginalized communities. Expressing this commitment will also provide Africa with the leverage needed to emphasise to development partners that they should now make their commensurate contribution in the interests not only of health on the continent but of global public health and global security.
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Seek commitment to and a timetable for development partner support of US$22bn per annum in new health development aid for Africa
The work of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health established by the Director-General of the World Health Organisation has provided concrete data on the funding gap in Africa for the provision of basic health services, to achieve specified health targets. It has further identified that of the shortfall of more than US $50 billion per annum, Africa could manage to fund all but US $22 billion of this per annum. (Note to Eric - economic regeneration and return on investment). The Commission also showed the massive economic and social return that would be achieved on this investment. Although US$ 22 billion sounds and is a huge amount, it is well within the capacity of development partners to reach if they are committed to it. It would also add credible evidence of their commitment to the targets they have been party to setting in international declarations on world health.
The purpose of this programme is to advocate for and gain commitment from development partners for US $22 billion per annum in new health development aid for Africa. At the same time, this programme will seek to co-ordinate efforts to ensure that these funds are specifically directed to the purpose for which they are given, are properly accounted for and that mechanisms to do so are strengthened. It will further be tied to the development of budgeted multi-year pro-poor investment plans. The aim is not to introduce a new system into countries that are already using one or other of the internationally established models, but to strengthen the quality and applicability of the work that is done and to strengthen national capacity for it. Tied to this will be countrywide dissemination of the findings and recommendations of the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health and consensus building on its relevance and applicability to the national health situation of individual countries.
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