Norway has been a leader in global health — with new committee, we hope it continues

There have been tremendous advances in global health in recent decades. According to UNICEF, child mortality has halved since 1990, and the average life expectancy has increased markedly.

However, development is too slow, and too many countries are lagging behind. The global infant mortality rate both can and should be halved several times. Not least, covid19 was a big step in the wrong direction. According to the World Health Organization, 15 million children missed out on vaccines in 2023, and nearly one in seven children in the world have never received a single vaccine, according to UNICEF.

As a result of underinvestment, war and climate change, one quarter of the world's population today lacks access to necessary health care, according to the WHO. This is not only horrible for those concerned, but also a threat to global health security.

New Stoltenberg range

Norway has historically played a leading role in global health cooperation. It must be continued. Today, however, there is a lack of concrete ambitions and strategies for Norway's further role. That is why we have asked for advice from ten of Norway's foremost experts on global health, health policy and international development, through a newly appointed expert committee chaired by Camilla Stoltenberg.

We are concerned about the consequences of cuts in international aid, as we saw in the revised national budget this year. This is happening at a time of war and conflict, when other donor countries are also reducing their contributions. It is very serious if this continues.

A Vicious Circle

Progress in global health is important both for global development and for our own security in Norway. Many challenges in global health, including infectious diseases, lack of health surveillance, and security of supply of medicines and equipment, affect cross-border issues. It gives us a vested interest in strengthening the world's health capacity, including in other countries. A virus that spreads unnoticed in other countries can also affect Norway.

In today's troubled world, we see that diseases we assumed could be eradicated are once again springing up. In Gaza, the first case of polio was recently discovered, after 25 years as a polio-free area. If efforts against polio are reduced, the World Health Organization reports that we could risk up to 200,000 new cases in the world each year before 2035.

If, on the other hand, we succeed in eradicating polio for good, we will save all future generations disease, suffering and money. Measures to improve health globally are a investment, not an expense.

In addition, we know how closely health is linked to education, which is also important for development. The World Bank shows that seven out of ten children in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple sentence. That makes it challenging to achieve good public health. At the same time, poor health for many is the main obstacle to education - a vicious circle.

Still the Norwegian leadership?

The mandate of the Committee of Experts is to identify the biggest challenges and opportunities in global health up to 2050, and to assess how Norway should contribute — both in the interests of international solidarity and Norway's own interests. The committee's assessments will touch on both the aid budget and other budgets, and policy efforts across ministries.

Norway has been central to efforts to halve global infant mortality in recent decades, and it is both possible and within reach to repeat the same feat again.

Norway can play a leading role both economically, politically and professionally. We can provide long-term funding for key global health initiatives, contribute guarantees and venture capital, and with the expertise and commitment to sustain international attention and action.

When the world is troubled, and still licking the wounds of the previous pandemic, Norway must once again show leadership. Both for our own part, and for those in the world who need it most. We hope a broad political majority will follow up!

Signed:

● Anne Bergh, Secretary General of the Red Cross

● Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General of the Church Emergency Services

● Henriette Westhrin, Secretary General of Save the Children

● Maria Greenberg Bergheim, Secretary General of UNICEF Norway

● Eirik Mofoss, head of the think tank Long Term

● Maria Bakken, Project Manager in Civita

● Trine Østereng, advisor at Tankesmien Agenda

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