Multi-Sector Partnerships in Global Public Health

Following a full day of meetings at the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council’s Special Event on Philanthropy and the Global Health Agenda (see the previous posting), ECOSOC’s President H.E. Sylvie Lucas hosted a reception (co-sponsored by CARE and the Global Health Progress initiative).  Leaders from various nations, the global health community, biopharmaceutical companies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) mingled and continued an informal discussion on health partnerships and advancing the global public health agenda.

A news release issued by the hosting organizations quoted several of the speakers at the evening event, including Chris Singer, President of the International Section at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) who stated that “We are all in this together.  Promoting and strengthening partnerships to improve global health is something research-based biopharmaceutical companies remain strongly committed to.”

Bill Clinton on Global Public Health

Former United States President Bill Clinton offered closing remarks at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) event (February 23, 2009) that was convened as a special Preparatory meeting for the 2009 High-level Segment on the theme of Philanthropy and Global Public Health. The meeting discussed and explored collaborative opportunities in advancing progress in maternal and girls’ health and neglected tropical diseases.

In his speech at the UN, former President Bill Clinton stated that:

“My experience has been that almost no one in the world will die this year because of the cost of lack of availability of AIDS medicine, but many people will die of AIDS this year because of the absence of effective health care systems in rural areas of the poorest countries.

We cannot solve the problems of the 21st century, we cannot meet the Millenium Development Goals, without the involvement of governments, corporations in their business mode – the private sector – and civil society.

Other experts shared their views on the current status of global public health as well as recommendations for future progress.  Some of the key elements which emerged from the discussion were the fundamental importance of building out elemental health care networks; the need for continued — and greater — collaboration; the need to identify and share best practices in health delivery and philanthropic efforts.

“The economic crisis is putting at risk the unprecedented rise in public and private funding we have witnessed in recent years,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Mr. Ban challenged participants “to think radically about how we can take our efforts to the next level and forge a truly powerful global partnership for global health.”