Sida is investing about SEK 2 billion per year to give people in poor countries access to health and medical care.
Göran Paulsson, Head of Team at Sida’s Health and Knowledge department, says: “At Sida, we see health as a human right that should permeate all our work. It is usually said that economic growth brings better health. But better health also contributes to social development and economic growth because people can actively participate in society.”
In the world’s poorest countries, many people are still dying from infectious diseases, such as HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. But as life for people in low-income countries improves, the populations are increasingly suffering from lifestyle-related, non-infectious diseases, such as heart and vascular diseases, diabetes and cancer.
“Poor countries already have overloaded health systems,” Paulsson says. “They are experiencing a double health burden now, with the population also suffering from lifestyle-related illnesses. It’s a challenge that we must work with more in future.”
Although Sida is supporting the development of national health systems in recipient countries, it is also important to work preventatively. One important public health issue is to improve the access to clean water and sanitation and to increase knowledge about hygiene. Every day, about 4,000 children die of illnesses caused by a lack of clean water. There are also 2.6 billion people in the world who lack sanitation. Other important public health issues that Sida is working with include the environment, alcohol and drugs.
Sweden driving sensitive issues at global level
One of Sida’s two main focus areas is HIV/Aids. Sweden is promoting greater gender equality as part of its efforts to fight the epidemic. It is also important that men and young boys participate in the preventative work against HIV/Aids.
The other main issue Sida works with is promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This means giving people access to knowledge and advice on sexuality and sexual rights, as well as having access to sexual and reproductive health and medical care.
Sida is placing a particular focus on giving more women access to improved maternity care. The high level of maternal mortality in the world represents a major problem. Every day, about 20,000 women die in relation to pregnancy and childbirth. There has been no improvement in this area at all in low-income countries in the last 20 years.
Sweden plays an important role on a global level promoting sensitive issues, such as safe abortions, maternal health, contraception and sex education.
“We’re highly active in the global dialogue in terms of sexual and reproductive health, but far too little is happening at national level for the simple reason that this is affecting women in the poorest countries,” Paulsson says.
Social welfare systems an issue for the future
Another challenge are the social welfare systems, pensions, child allowance and social security, which will be required in developing countries. The more health improves, the longer people will live – the number of elderly people around the world is expected to increase considerably by 2050.
The World Bank, UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are shedding light on the issue of welfare systems. There is also need to promote this issue in partner countries. Most people in low-income countries are fighting hard to improve their living conditions. However, there is a risk that without welfare systems, natural disasters and new health threats, such as global influenza epidemics, will destroy everything they have built up.
“Without welfare systems, the populations in poverty-stricken countries have to start all over again if disaster occurs,” Paulsson says. “This is an issue for the future that we’ll need to work more with.”
