Navigating health financing cliffs: learning for a new era in global health

A WHA side event organized by the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research at WHO and co-sponsored by the governments of Ethiopia, Japan, Norway and Philippines
Since 2000, the world has witnessed large increases in both domestic spending and official development assistance (ODA) for health. But that era is over. Countries are operating in constrained fiscal spaces, with 3.2 billion people now living in countries whose governments spend more on debt payments than on health and education combined. That is compounded by significant and swift reductions in health aid. While ODA may be a small proportion of total health spending, it is crucial for specific countries, programmes and populations.

Efforts like the Lusaka Agenda have prioritized catalysing sustainable, domestic financing for health. These efforts are now more important than ever. How can countries best respond to ensure that health services are maintained and that health systems are strengthened? During the 78th World Health Assembly, the Alliance will bring together senior policy-makers, funders and researchers to explore vital questions, including:

• How are countries and the global community addressing the health financing cliff at national and global levels, and what is the role of data, research and learning to support this?
• How are countries developing their capacity and systems for health policy and systems research and how are these networks relevant for the current crisis?

Participants include:

• Rt Hon. Helen CLARK, Chair of the Board, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme
• H. E. Dr Mekdes DABA, Minister of Health, Ethiopia
• Dr Satoshi EZOE, Senior Assistant Minister for Global Health, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan
• Dr Catherine Marie LOFTHUS, Secretary General, Ministry of Health and Care Services, Norway
• Dr Albert Francis E. DOMINGO, Officer in Charge – Assistant Secretary of Health, Department of Health, Philippines
• Sir Jeremy FARRAR, Chief Scientist, World Health Organization
• Dr Zubin SHROFF, Unit Head, a. i., Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization
• Dr Kumanan RASANATHAN, Executive Director, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization