More than NOK 3 billion for global health
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Published under: Solberg's Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 07/10/2015
The Government proposes an increase in funding for global health efforts of NOK 150 million in next year's budget. This would provide a total of more than NOK 3 billion for measures to improve maternal and child health, and to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, among other things.
'Health, like education, is a crucial factor for economic growth. Despite significant progress, the Millennium Development Goals on health will not be met, and it is important to support efforts in this field beyond 2015,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.
Importance of health for education
Norway has taken on a leading role in international efforts to promote health and education.
'Basic health services, good nutrition and access to vaccination programmes are vital for ensuring that children are able to go to school and get an education. At the same time, education has a positive effect on a number of health indicators. For example, girls with an education tend to marry and have children later. This in turn helps to reduce child and maternal mortality,' said Mr Brende.
Gavi and the Global Fund
Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are key partners in the Government's global health efforts.
The Government proposes an increase in Norway's support for Gavi and agreements amounting to NOK 6 250 million for the period 2016–20. This is in addition to NOK 190 million per year provided to Gavi for polio vaccination programmes and NOK 150 million per year provided to the International Finance Facility for Immunisation.
'Gavi is an important instrument for reducing child mortality in poor countries. Over the next five-year period, Gavi will help to ensure that 300 million children are vaccinated. This will prevent five million deaths,' said Mr Brende.
The Government proposes to maintain its support for the Global Fund at a level of NOK 600 million for 2016.
The proposed increase in funding will mean that the Government will provide NOK 3 065 million for global health efforts in 2016. These efforts will be in line with the UN's new Sustainable Development Goal on health.