Baku, November 13, 2024 – In a significant move towards advancing global health initiatives, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has announced a $10 million grant to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the implementation of the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP). The announcement was made on Tuesday, coinciding with the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan. This partnership is poised to enhance primary healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries, reinforcing their resilience against crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change.
The Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) is an ambitious and collaborative initiative that aims to drive sustainable investments in primary healthcare by connecting the expertise of multilateral development banks, WHO’s public health knowledge, and the financial capabilities of various partners. The HIIP’s primary objective is to support countries in evaluating their health investment needs and designing projects that will yield long-term, impactful outcomes. This grant from IsDB is crucial in providing WHO with the necessary technical assistance to evaluate these needs on a global scale, facilitating the design of projects that are both effective and scalable.
IsDB’s landmark contribution represents a vital step towards strengthening the bank’s ongoing commitment to climate and health initiatives, particularly in regions that are most vulnerable to the compounded effects of both. As the world faces increasingly frequent climate-related crises, the HIIP will act as a foundation for collaborative efforts that channel resources into primary healthcare systems, ensuring they are equipped to handle the challenges posed by both health and climate shocks.
Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, President of IsDB, emphasized that supporting the HIIP aligns with the bank’s mission to enhance comprehensive healthcare coverage and build resilience in member countries. “Our partnerships with multilateral development banks and the WHO enable us to invest in primary healthcare where it is most needed, helping to build a strong foundation to face future crises and address current health challenges,” said Dr. Al Jasser. “We are dedicated to promoting a healthier and fairer future for communities worldwide.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, underscored the importance of reliable funding for low- and middle-income countries to improve their health systems, particularly through primary healthcare. “Strengthening primary healthcare is essential for making health systems more resilient to pandemics and ensuring equitable access to essential services,” he said. “The HIIP brings together WHO’s expertise with the financial resources of IsDB and other partners, providing a platform to create meaningful and sustainable health outcomes.”
The grant will pave the way for multilateral development banks and WHO to pool their resources and knowledge to design and implement health interventions that directly address the unique challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries. By leveraging these collaborative efforts, the HIIP aims to build a sustainable and equitable global health system that can withstand future challenges while improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations.
As the IsDB continues to strengthen its partnerships and invest in global health solutions, this grant represents a clear commitment to supporting the development of robust healthcare systems that will benefit generations to come, ensuring that communities worldwide are better prepared for future health crises.