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Improving health for the world's poor : what can health professionals do?

May 2007

This new publication by the BMA aims to inspire health professionals and their organisations to realise the powerful role they can play in improving health for the world's poorest people.

There is a pool of untapped expertise and insight amongst UK health professionals which, if harnessed, could make a huge difference to health in the developing world. In fact, that difference is already being made. Increasing numbers of UK health workers voluntarily undertake humanitarian work in the developing world every year. Hospitals and clinics are also playing their part. The Tropical Health Education Trust has pioneered the development of international exchanges between UK hospitals and their counterparts in poor countries, promoting the sharing of skills for the benefit of both partners. All of this work continues to be invaluable in helping to regenerate health systems and improve the standard of care where it is so badly needed.

There is, however, scope for the health sector to do even more. Change for the world’s poor will only occur when informed voices are raised and cages are rattled. Health professionals, their
Colleges, trade unions and governing bodies – a powerful and respected coalition – now have the potential to emerge as leading advocates for the improvement of health in the South. This
publication recognises the possibilities which lie ahead and provides an agenda for change. In it, you will find discussion and analysis by leading experts of eight barriers to the improvement of health for the world’s poor. They are:

• Health systems – why they need to be at the heart of all our societies
• Water power – the contribution of clean water and sanitation to health
• Climate change – the need for health leadership
• Practising fair and ethical trade – within the health system
• Hunger and obesity side by side – malnutrition in Africa today
• Tobacco control in developing and developed countries
• Patents, poverty and PPPs – fairer ways to solve the medicine crisis
• A crisis of leadership – does the WHO run global health?

The health impacts of each issue are laid bare and make for sober reading. Millions go without the medicines they need. 42% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to an improved water source and, at this rate, the region will not meet the Millennium Development Goal target on water until 2040. While global food production has doubled in the last 40 years, 820 million people in developing countries remain undernourished.

We also explain how health professionals and their organisations can lead efforts to achieve change for the better. Each issue is followed by recommendations for action by health professionals and their organisations. In reading through them, There are opportunities to lobby governments, raise awareness, and to work with governments, civil society and the development sector in formulating policies which will restore health to its rightful place at the heart of development.

Download a PDF of the publication using the link on the right.

Hard copies of the publication are also available. Please contact Martin Carroll in the BMA International Department on 0207 383 6063 or email mcarroll@bma.org.uk.