Abstract:

Health is gaining greater attention on the global scenario. There has been an overall change that has seen a shift from global nation-based health-policy-making structures towards more diversity and greater emphasis on private sector actors. The not for profit civil society and non-governmental organization are now seen as a vital heath partner especially for health campaigns.

Funding for global health is also changing as pressure mounts against vertical disease focused funding in favor of horizontal funding aimed at strengthening health systems. Players in the global health scene are also changing to include public private partnerships as well as a greater appreciation and inclusion of civil society.

For global health to be effective worldwide and especially in Africa, the focus must be towards a broader system of funding that is not disease specific but also has an emphasis on strengthening the health system. Building and maintaining capacity for healthcare provision is also critical for effective action against health threats. Focus must also be on enabling partnerships while taking care that the broader public sector agenda is not overridden by vested interests especially in public- private partnerships

Global health must also widen its focus from communicable disease to address threats posed by widespread increase in risk factors for non- communicable disease and broader social and economic factors that impact health in this era of rapid globalization. The trend must be towards using an evidence base to employ strategies that will in the long run provide cost effective interventions while ensuring appropriate and sustainable technologies are utilized to address health concerns.

References:

[1.] Buse, K & Walt, G 2002, Global public-private partnerships for health:part I – a new development in health, Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 78:549-61.

[2.] Buse, K & Waxman, A 2001, Public-Private Partnerships: a Strategy for WHO, Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2001, 79:748-754.

[3.] Bosman, M 2000 Health sector reform and tuberculosis control: the case of Zambia, Int J Tuberc Lung Dis, 4(4):327-332.

[4.] Craig, S & Ibrahim, D 2010, Defining features of the practice of global health research: an examination of 14 global health research teams, Global Health Action, 3: 5188.

[5.] de Renzio, P & Goldsbrough, D 2007, IMF Programs and Health Spending: Case Study of Mozambique. Background Paper, Washington, Center for Global Development.

[6.] England, R 2007, Are we spending too much on HIV? BMJ 2007, 334(7589):344.

[7.] European Commission 2007, Aid Delivery Methods: Guidelines on the Programming, Design & Management of General Budget Support, European Commission.

[8.] Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria 2007, An Evolving Partnership: The Global Fund and Civil Society in the Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Geneva.

[9.] Hardon, A 2000,Immunization for all? A critical look at the first GAVI partners meeting, HAI-Lights, 6(1):2-9.

[10.]   International Monetary Fund, Independent Evaluation Office 2007, The IMF and Aid to Sub-Saharan Africa, Washington: International Monetary Fund.

[11.]   International Monetary Fund 2007, Fiscal Policy Response to Scaled-Up Aid,Washington: International Monetary Fund.

[12.]   Koivusalo, M & Ollila, E 1997,Making a healthy world. Agencies, actors & policies in international health, London: Zed Books.

[13.]   Lee, K 2004, Globalization and Health: An Introduction, New York, NY, Palgrave Macmillan.

[14.]   Lee, K 1999,Globalization and the need for a strong public health response,Eur J Public Health, 1999; 9: 249-50.

[15.]   Lethbridge, J 2005,International Finance Corporate (IFC) - healthcare policy briefing, Global Social Policy, 2:349-353.

[16.]   Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) 2007, Help wanted: confronting the health care worker crisis to expand access to HIV/AIDS treatment, MSF experience in Southern Africa.

[17.]   Moore, A, &Morrison, J 2007, Health Worker Shortages Challenge PEPFAR Options for Strengthening Health Systems. Report, Washington: Center for Strategic and International Studies.

[18.]   Olilla, E 2005, Global health priorities – priorities of the wealthy? Globalization and Health,1:6.

[19.]   Ollila, E 2006, Restructuring global health policy making: the role of global public-private partnerships, In Commercialization of Health Care: Global and Local Dynamics and Policy Responses, Mcintosh M, Koivusalo M. (eds.) Palgrave.

[20.]   Ooms, G, Van Damme, W, Baker, BK, Zeitz, P & and Schrecker, T 2008, The 'diagonal' approach to Global Fund financing: a cure for the broader malaise of health systems?Globalization and Health, 4:6.

[21.]   Poore, P 2004, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). Health Policy Plann, 19:52-53.

[22.]   Richter, J 2004, Public-private partnerships and international health policy-making - How can public interests be safeguarded? Helsinki, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

[23.]   Rowson, M, Willott, C, Hughes, R, Maini, A, Martin, S et al 2012, Globalization and Health : theoretical issues and their relevance for teaching, available at http://www.globalizationandhealth.com/content/8/1/36 Accessed at 8.45pm on 16/7/ 2013.

[24.]   Rivers, B 2003, Tanzania and Uganda – Unanticipated Headaches,Global Fund Observer.

[25.]   Starling, M, Brugha, R, Walt, G 2002, New products into old systems, The global alliance for vaccines and immunizations (GAVI) from a country perspective, Save the children, London.

[26.]   UNAIDS 2007, Financial Resources required to Achieve Universal Access to HIV, Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support. Geneva, UNAIDS.

[27.]   United Nations 2003, Co-operation between the United Nations and all relevant partners, in particular the private sector, Report of the Secretary-General tothe General Assembly. Item 47 of the provisional agenda, Towards global partnerships, New York, United Nations.

[28.]   Walt, G 1994, Health Policy. An Introduction to process and power, Johannesburg, London and NewJersey, Witwatersrand University Press and Zed Books.

[29.]   Yamey, G, 2002, WHO - Faltering steps towards partnerships. BMJ 2002, 325:1236-1240.