Ewha Womans UniversityInstitute for Development and Human Security

Overview and Trends in the UK's Health ODA

The United Kingdom ranks third in terms of the scale of international aid, following the United States and Germany. According to OECD data from 2017, the UK's aid contribution amounts to approximately $17.9 billion. Since 2013, the UK has consistently met the OECD DAC's benchmark of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) for aid.

The UK’s priorities in aid strategy are 1)Enhancing global peace, security, and governance, 2) Strengthening disaster resilience and crisis response capabilities, 3)Economic reform in developing countries, and 4) Eradicating extreme poverty. The health sector falls under the categories of disaster resilience and crisis response, as well as the eradication of extreme poverty. The UK's health-related Official Development Assistance (ODA) is the second largest in the world. While the average health ODA among DAC countries is 8% of their total ODA, the UK's health ODA accounts for 13%, indicating a significant focus on this sector. The UK's bilateral aid constitutes 59% of its total aid, with health sector priorities within bilateral aid including sexual and reproductive health (22%), basic health (14%), medical research (11%), basic nutrition (11%), infectious disease control (11%), health policy and administration (10%), and malaria (9%). On the other hand, 41% of the UK's multilateral aid is primarily invested in organizations such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the Global Fund.

Analyzing the UK's free aid data in the health sector (120) and sexual and reproductive health (130) by continent (2008-2017), the distribution is as follows:

For basic health (120): Africa (56%), unspecified (31%), Asia (8%), America (4%), Oceania (1%), Europe (1%), and for sexual and reproductive health (130): Africa (41%), unspecified (35%), Asia (18%), America (5%), Oceania (1%), Europe (1%). The investment priorities by continent are similar for both sectors, but there is a notable increase in the proportion of sexual and reproductive health aid directed towards Asia. 

영국의 원조목적코드 120, 130의 대륙별 지원비율

UK's International Health ODA Strategy

The UK's development aid agency, DFID (Department for International Development), has outlined its health strategy as follows:

1. Adhere to international health regulations to enhance global health security and fulfill responsibilities.

2. Address international concerns and incidents, and support public health responses to humanitarian disasters.

3. Focus on strengthening public health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

4. Enhance the international aspect and acceptance of health and welfare for non-communicable diseases.

5. Reinforce the UK's partnerships in global health activities.

In 2017, the investment ratios for different health ODA sectors were Medical Research (21%), Reproductive Health (14%), Health Policy and Administration: (12%), Basic Health (12%), Nutrition (11%), and Infectious Disease Management: (9%).

2017년 영국의 보건섹터별 투자비율

Girls' Health

- Primary Health Care Self-Reliance and Development Project (2015-2020, Ethiopia)

This project aims to improve the health of adolescents, children, and maternal health in Ethiopia by enhancing primary health care functions and increasing domestic funding. The project includes the provision of essential medicines, improvements in primary health care services, and training for medical personnel.

 

- Child Marriage Prevention Activities (2015-2020, 12 Countries in East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East)

This initiative supports activities aimed at eliminating child marriage and accelerating the prohibition of the practice. To achieve this, it partners with UNICEF/UNFPA and provides financial assistance through the Amplify Fund. The ultimate goal of the program is to guarantee the rights of girls and create an environment where they can fully realize their potential, leading to positive outcomes in health, education, and society overall.