An unhealthy prognosis: EC aid allocations to health in decline

Brussels, 22/05/2007: European Community aid allocations to health programmes declined between 1996 and 2005 despite the adoption of a 20% target for basic health and basic education in the EC budget since 2001. This is the finding of a new report by the Action for Global Health network which was launched last week in Brussels.

The report also reveals that early indications in the EC’s planning of its aid for the next 7 years will result in a further decline in the funding of health programmes. Action for Global Health calls on the EC to take urgent action to close the funding gap for health and to increase the focus on health in country strategies. “The EC and EU Member States are major contributors to global health policies – essential for the achievement of the MDGs on child mortality, maternal health and the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases” says Action for Global Health. “The EC must act immediately to give much higher priority to health funding and double its spending in the coming years.”

Click here to download the report.