Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
building for the South. In comparative terms, DFID's (2000) white paper provides
the most complete look at these broader problems and implementing corresponding
programmes. other oDa strategies lag behind.
The United Kingdom's Department for International Development
In both the 2003 strategy of the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office ([FCO]
2003, 14) and DFID's (2000, 14) white paper, the links between development and
security are strong. accordingly, health challenges are considered a matter for global
concern, predominantly seen through the lens of disease as a threat. the DFID (2000,
14) white paper acknowledges that effective vaccines against communicable diseases
are a global public good, which 'can and should be financed internationally'. The
only mention of health in the Fco strategy is under priority number six (of eight),
which is 'sustainable development, underpinned by democracy, good governance
and human rights' and which lists the desire to 'strengthen international action
against aIDS, malaria and other epidemic diseases' (Fco 2003, 14, 39). again it is
an infectious disease orientation. thus the more recent Fco strategy does not give
a full view of global health challenges. the more comprehensive discussions and
valuable information for outlining the UK's view of global health governance are
found in the earlier DFID white paper.
throughout the DFID white paper, the sections dedicated to global health
challenges consider the problems of brain drain and unbalanced capacity building in
developing countries. In reflecting on the trend of global mobility, the white paper
acknowledges that freedom of movement must be maintained; at the same time,
it acknowledges that 'these outflows can also be a drain on human resources in
critically short supply' and that research on this issue is necessary (DFID 2000,
43).
In practice, the UK follows up on the brain drain issue with a national Health
Service policy not to recruit health practitioners where doing so would have a
negative impact on the health services of the home country (43). additionally, DFID
has begun to contribute large amounts of assistance funding earmarked to boost
healthcare salaries in african countries to keep practitioners working where the
shortages are extreme.
9
In terms of capacity building, the DFID white paper outlines well the dilemma
regarding research capacity:
Most research and development capacity is in developed countries and is oriented to
their needs. Research that benefits the poor is an example of a global public good which
is underfunded. not enough of the world's knowledge is relevant for the needs of the
poor. For instance, 90 per cent of the world's disease burden is the subject of less than
10 percent of all international research on health (Global Forum for Health research
1999; quoted in DFID 2000, 43).
DFID's (2000, 44) white paper goes on to list some advances supported by the
UK on this issue, such as IavI and other global health initiatives, as well as attempts
