As leaders of the
world’s richest countries sit down at the G8 Summit in Italy, Carolyn Miller, Merlin’s Chief Executive welcomes new financing mechanisms that bring a fresh approach
to aid.During these testing financial times, it is more important than ever to ensure that aid is effectively spent. We need to guarantee that investment is targeted to where it
will have the most impact, in the countries that are most in need.Gordon Brown’s Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems recommends just
that. Set up in September last year it was a reaction to a $10 billion funding deficit for health. It sought to maximise the effectiveness of money spent and ensure greater ownership of health for
recipient countries.The Taskforce rightly highlights a need to invest in health systems within fragile states; countries such as Afghanistan, Congo and Liberia, which carry the greatest burden
of disease and are most off track from reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Over half of women who die in childbirth live in these states. Investment has to be targeted towards these
countries if they are to stand any chance of meeting these goals.The smartest way to reach the MDGs is to invest in health systems, rather than concentrating on specific diseases. This latter
approach actually loses 40 per cent of its value as a result of conditions attached. Channeling investment towards health systems allows governments to invest in the training, retention and
payment of health workers â€" a more sustainable way of delivering long-term health care.As the donor governments worry about spending in a recession, it is important to remember
that currently maternal mortality results in global productivity losses of $7.5 billion each year. The G8 is an opportunity to build on the recommendations of the Taskforce and to make the money go
further. For example by pushing for 50 per cent of all health funding to be allocated towards health systems with 25 per cent of that being used to train and retain health workers.The Taskforce suggests several innovative financing options including expanding the mandatory levy on airline tickets. Whilst these will inject additional money into health, it is imperative that
the G8 leaders do not see this new funding mechanism as an opportunity to renege on their own donor commitments. Italy, the host nation, is one of the worst offenders, having delivered a paltry 3 per
cent of the aid increase it promised at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005.All western donors should stick to their aid promises and give their support to this exciting and potentially
life-saving new initiative.Find out more about our
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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
An Afghan boy waves at U.S. soldiers of 2nd Platoon from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, patrolling in the village of Sangarkhel in mountains of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, July 7, ...
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