Primary care health platform to come into existence through WHO collaboration with multilateral developmental banks

Through the combined efforts of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Multilateral Development Banks, a new primary health financing platform is being inaugurated. The agency signed away $1.5 billion for the initiative. 

There are 15 countries in total that have been listed to benefit from the first investment plan and they include countries like Maldives, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Burundi among others. Much of the financial efforts of the plan will be directed towards these first 15 countries.

The platform will formally be known as “The Health Impact Investment Platform” the foremost goal for which is to strengthen primary healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In fact, the first country health investment plan has been operationalized. 

Health institutes in the target countries will be strengthened to adequately deal with and combat the medical issues that have arisen due to the climate crisis and pandemics. The funds are meant to facilitate the most impoverished and susceptible communities within these countries. 

Apart from the broader strategy to mobilize the $1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants in the LMICs, along with the UN Summit of the Future a high-level round table conference in New York has brought new money to the table to solidify these efforts. 

The three founding multilateral developmental banks (MDB) partners, the African Development Bank the Islamic Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank were in attendance at this meeting paired with finance and health ministers and state heads from Ethiopia, Egypt, and Djibouti.

WHO representatives were also part of the meeting and signed an initial $11.12 million (€10m) contribution from the European Investment Bank to commence the implementation of the initiative. 

European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño said: “Supporting primary healthcare services is the foundation of strong communities. Working closely with fellow Multilateral Development Banks and partner countries, guided by the expertise of the World Health Organization, we are making a difference.”

Soon, similar contributions are expected to be signed over by the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. In order to expand the initiative’s reach, the Asina Developmental Bank is also considering joining forces with the WHO.

Through their involvement in the financing platform, all MDBs wish to play their role in enhancing primary healthcare facilities and access in underprivileged and underserved areas.