Global health funding rises

There has been a considerable rise in global health funding levels, partly thanks to an increase in private giving, a study has revealed.

However, research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington also found that 12 of the 30 countries hit hardest by disease are receiving less aid than richer nations.

In the past 17 years, the amount donated for health to developing countries has quadrupled from $5.6 billion (£3.4 billion) in 1990 to $21.8 billion in 2007.

Nevertheless, the likes of Angola, Ukraine and Thailand receive less aid than countries with smaller disease burdens.

Writing in the Lancet, Dr Christopher Murray, professor of global health and director of IHME, said: "With no one tracking this massive growth in spending, it's no wonder that some countries receive far more than their neighbours for no immediately apparent reason.

"We're hoping that this attempt to count money that has never been counted before in a careful and consistent way will lead to greater transparency and better use of health resources."

Donations from private parties accounted for 30 per cent of funds given in 2007.

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