GAVI's PneumoADIP Applauds New International Health Partnership for their Leadership on Global Health and Control of Pneumonia (05 Sep 2007)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday launched a new International Health Partnership that aims to unite international governments and civil society to build momentum towards reaching the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Echoing his speech at the United Nations in New York on the 31st of July, Mr Brown said the world was in a unique position to intensify the fight against diseases that are ravaging the developing world.

"Our vision today is that we can triumph over ancient scourges and for the first time in history conquer polio, TB, measles and then with further advances and initiatives, go on to address pneumococcal pneumonia, malaria and eventually HIV/ Aids.

"Today we come together - donor governments, health agencies and developing countries - with the certainty that we have the knowledge and the power to save millions of lives through our efforts," Mr Brown said.

The International Health Partnership aims to accelerate progress towards MDGs 4, 5 and 6, reducing child and maternal mortality, and tackling specific diseases such as HIV/AIDS by increasing access to and use of health services, and deliver improved outcomes.

The partnership is supported by the GAVI Alliance, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as international governments and civil society.

Bill Gates said, "This partnership can help save lives by strengthening health systems in developing countries, and ensuring that health resources go where they're needed most."

Dr Orin Levine, Executive Director of GAVI's PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins praised nations and organisations that have already begun work fighting disease in the developing world.

"GAVI's PneumoADIP would like to applaud all of the donors, including Norway, Germany, Canada, France, Italy and the Netherlands, as well as Prime Minister Brown, and Bill Gates for drawing critical attention to pneumococcal diseases, one of the world's major killers," Dr Levine said.

"We commend all those involved in this partnership for their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goal for improved child survival and for their recognition of the importance of systems for delivering life-saving technologies like pneumococcal vaccines."

For more information on the International Health Partnership, visit http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page13063.asp

For more information on support of the International Health Partnership, visit http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ihp/supportive-quotes.asp