Health Research for Development

The humanitarian concerns raised by gross inequities in health across the world must compete, amongst others, with concerns over war, food, freedom and the embattled environment. The competition is tough. The altruism shown by rich countries in providing funds to support health provision in poor countries is reinforced by growing realization of the adverse economic effects of health inequity on the global economy, and increasing appreciation that we live in a small world where pandemics such as avian influenza can emerge in poorer countries and spread to the rich with devastating consequences for all. Thus there are both selfish and humanitarian arguments for reappraising the cold calculus of international aid, and increasing the financial support to remedy the health problems of poorer countries. This is already happening and there have been considerable increases in donor support in recent years. External funding is more likely to follow investment in health by the recipient countries. So how should these funds be used? Improving health delivery is not just a matter of money. There is often simply not the human or infrastructural capacity to absorb it. Investing in training and development is a long term endeavour, but it is essential if health improvements are to be sustained.