Issue: 2
Date: 5 July 2023
News update on the Future of Global Health Initiatives process
It has been a busy couple of months as the FGHI process continues to gather strong momentum and engagement…
G7
In an exciting development, the FGHI process was referenced in both the G7 Health Ministers’ communiqué and G7 Leaders’ communiqué, issued in May. Following the G7 Hiroshima Summit, The Lancet published a comment piece by the G7 Presidency entitled: “Health outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit: breaking the cycle of panic and neglect and achieving UHC”. The piece referenced the FGHI process, summarised key outcomes from the summit and cited the need to ‘make the most of existing global health initiatives so that they collectively contribute to achieving UHC and align with national efforts to strengthen health systems.’ The G7 leaders’ acknowledgement lays an important foundation to support the advancement of the FGHI process in the months ahead.
WHA
On the margins of the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly on 23 May in Geneva, the FGHI Co-Chairs, together with the Geneva Health Forum and the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies (coordinators of the FGHI research consortium), co-hosted a lively breakfast panel, “Reimagining the Future of Global Health Initiatives: what are the incentives for change?”. Panellists and speakers included Professor Karl Blanchet, Director of the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies; H.E. Dr Roger Kamba, Minister of Health for Democratic Republic of Congo; Dr Munir Kassa, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Ethiopia; Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Dr Anshu Banjeree, Director Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO; Prof. Kalipso Chalkidou, Head of Health Financing at the Global Fund; Dr Benjamin Loevinsohn, Director of Immunization, Financing & Sustainability at Gavi; Dr Satoshi Ezoe, Director of Global Health Strategy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan; Desta Lakew, Group Director, Partnerships & External Affairs, Amref Health Africa; and the co-chairs of the FGHI Steering Group, Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Former Chief Administrative Secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Health, and Dr John-Arne Røttingen, Global Health Ambassador, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We would like to thank all the excellent panellists and speakers and the 150+ attendees for taking part in this energetic event. A summary of the event can be read here on the FGHI website.
Addis Ababa Consultation
On 14 June the Wellcome-commissioned FGHI research consortium, together with Africa CDC, hosted a constructive ‘Deliberative Discussion on the Future of Global Health Initiatives Study’ in Addis Ababa. The meeting was a significant milestone in an ongoing process of research that will provide an important input to the FGHI dialogue, and which has so far engaged more than 260 informants through three country case studies, regional and global consultations, key informant interviews and an on-line survey. The Addis Ababa consultation was attended by a purposely selected group of national stakeholders, including ministry of health officials, NGOs, researchers and representatives of the FGHI Steering Group, focused on obtaining feedback on the consortium’s emerging findings and recommendations. This feedback is now being complemented by further consultations, including a discussion with the FGHI Steering Group on 22 June. We would like to thank the research consortium, speakers, and all participants for taking part in this event, and Africa CDC for hosting. The summary of the consultation can be read here on the FGHI website.
The next stage of the FGHI process
The research consortium’s final report will be published on the FGHI website in mid-August. This report will be complemented by several other inputs in the process of consultation and discussion by the FGHI Steering Group and other interested stakeholders that will run through to the end of the year. Webinars in late August/early September will provide space for stakeholders to hear the consortium present its research findings and recommendations and discuss their implications for the next phase of the FGHI process (webinar dates will be published in the FGHI Secretariat’s next newsletter in August). Written responses to the report will be welcomed by 8 September 2023. The research report and responses to it – as well as other complementary inputs – will inform phase two of the FGHI process – the development by the FGHI Steering Group and other global, regional and national health stakeholders of commitments for collective action to optimise GHI contributions in support of country progress towards UHC.
FGHI 2023 Roadmap
Recent FGHI events
In-person participants at the 14 June “Deliberative Discussion on the Future of Global Health Initiatives Study” gather for a group photo at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa
Panellists at the FGHI WHA side event ‘Reimaging the Future of Global Health Initiatives: What are the Incentives for Change?’
Upcoming events
- Webinars to present research findings and recommendations – August & September (dates will be published in the August newsletter)
About the Future of Global Health Initiatives process
The FGHI process brings together a group of global, regional and national health stakeholders – from governments and international and domestic-financing partners to civil society, health organisations, and academics – in a time-bound process of consultation and research throughout 2023, to reflect on how global health initiatives (GHIs) can be optimised to best support national health priorities and countries’ progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). The process aims by the end of 2023 to provide specific recommendations for GHIs to better align, work with other health funders and strengthen their support for national priorities, plans and budgets, and shape a global health financing ecosystem that is fit for purpose through to 2030 and beyond.
More information
Want to know more? For more information please contact Secretariat@futureofghis.org.