The foundation of American billionaire Bill Gates (70) is an important funder in the field of global health and development. It supports programs against diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as vaccination initiatives in poorer countries.
Global development aid in the field of health has fallen by 26.9 percent this year compared to last year, the foundation reports. In addition, many countries are plagued by high debt and fragile healthcare systems. As a result, progress in the fight against diseases such as malaria, HIV and polio is at risk of being lost and millions of additional children will die in the coming decades.
Gates emphasizes in the report that, despite declining budgets, great progress is possible if resources are used in a targeted manner. As examples, Gates cites primary health care, the expansion and improvement of standard vaccinations and the targeted use of data to deploy measures such as malaria control exactly where they are most needed.
Basic health care could prevent up to 90 percent of all child deaths for less than $100 per person per year. If available resources were deployed properly, malaria and pneumonia could be eradicated as causes of death in children, the report says.
