“Governments and donors must view spending on health not as a cost but as an investment in the future and a critical part of their overall approach to poverty reduction and economic development”
White Paper on Irish Aid

The Challenge 

Good health is a fundamental human right.  It is widely recognised that poor health both contributes to, and is the result of, under-development. 

While the state of health globally is improving, there is still an unacceptable level of preventable illness and death. In 2005, more than 12 million children died before their 5th birthday and 500,000 women died from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.

The health of the population of any country is determined by much more than the provision of healthcare services. Issues such as nutrition, sanitation, access to clean water, education and social and cultural factors all affect public health. Significant and lasting improvements in the health of a population can only be achieved in the context of a broad-based approach to tackling underdevelopment and poverty.

There is a direct relationship between improvements in health and human development, reduced population growth, poverty reduction, and economic growth.  Conversely, poor health diminishes the quality of life, exacerbates poverty and lowers economic growth.  The poor, and especially those in low-income countries, bear the highest burden of sickness and ill health, have the least access to health care services, and are least equipped to cope with and recover from the impact of illness. 

Ireland’s Response

Health is one of the key sectors supported by Irish Aid. We are committed to a strong focus on investment in health care institutions and systems.  Approximately 20% of country programme expenditure is now directed to the health sector.

Our needs-based programmes will include increased support for improved access to clean water, basic sanitation, nutrition, food production, more effective safety net programmes and holistic approaches to disease prevention.

The principal instrument used by Ireland to support health sector development at country level is the sector wide approach or SWAp. Over the last six years, Ireland has strongly advocated the principles underpinning the SWAp approach and has gradually phased out its support to health projects. In all Progamme Countries, Irish Aid is a leading supporter of, and contributor to, health sector SWAp programmes. In most cases, Irish Aid now channels its funding though government managed pooling arrangements, and works closely with other development partners in strengthening government capacity to direct and manage this health sector reform process.

Last updated: 08/02/07