The World Health Organization (WHO) and multilateral development banks have launched a €1.5 billion platform to strengthen primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, starting with investment plans in 15 nations.
In partnership, WHO and multilateral development banks (MDBs) have initiated the Health Impact Investment Platform, which seeks to provide €1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants to enhance primary healthcare services in vulnerable communities. This new platform is set to improve healthcare resilience in 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), addressing critical needs such as disease outbreaks and the climate crisis.
The initiative was launched during a high-level meeting in New York, in conjunction with the UN Summit of the Future. During the meeting, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and WHO signed an initial contribution of €10 million, with further contributions expected from the Islamic Development Bank and the African Development Bank. These investments will pave the way for the development of national health strategies focused on strengthening primary healthcare in the participating countries.
Leaders from Senegal and Uganda praised the platform for its potential to drive health progress, underscoring the importance of primary healthcare in preventing and managing disease outbreaks. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the platform’s role in building climate and crisis-resilient healthcare systems, thanking MDBs for their partnership and commitment to improving health outcomes in LMICs.
The investment platform builds on past collaboration between WHO, MDBs, and development banks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped strengthen health systems in several countries. Phase one of the platform will focus on 15 countries, including Senegal, Ethiopia, and Morocco, to expand access to primary healthcare services and build local health infrastructure.
This joint effort marks a significant step towards achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring health security in vulnerable regions.
