Committee sets out key development issues for future government

The letter draws particular attention to the need for the UK to provide global leadership in global health. The Government will need to fully utilise significant opportunities to drive progress in this area, and demonstrate a commitment to the promotion of the health and development of mothers babies and children.

Opportunities

• the development of a comprehensive strategy on global health, placing SDG 3 and universal health coverage at its centre and providing the holistic vision for all DFID activity from tackling Ebola in the DRC (as well as the under-lying causes) to the stated focus on the health of women, girls and babies
• the UK's preparations and plans for hosting the 2020 GAVI replenishment and perhaps championing equity and achieving a fully-funded initiative
• the UK's vision and proposals for what should follow the Family Planning 2020 Framework which elapses next year in the light of announcements mentioned above on women's sexual and reproductive health and rights
• possible UK cooperation with the government of Japan and other stakeholders to ensure that the Tokyo Nutrition for Growth summit is as successful as possible
• use of the opportunity of G7 presidency in 2021 to build an international alliance around more efforts on child health, ending avoidable child deaths by 2030 and prioritising primary healthcare systems.

Chair's statement

Chair of the International Development Committee, Stephen Twigg MP said:

"Part of the need to write is in case there is a long gap before a new IDC is up and running. My absolute priority as a valedictory proposal is for DFID to develop a comprehensive strategy for promoting global health and universal health care and – like they did on education – making it clear why and how achieving these health goals will play into, and support, the achievement of so many other key Sustainable Development Goals.

2020 provides excellent conditions for a focus on global health. The Committee had begun to question why DFID did not have a comprehensive global health strategy - in the same way that, to great effect and with great fanfare and convincing argument, it applied resources to producing one for education in 2017.

It is vital that next Government use its unique position as a leader in global health, with financial and diplomatic leverage, to convene partners and drive this agenda forward. I have written to the Secretary of State outlining key milestones in the coming months that, with the right support, provide a perfect opportunity to do this. Time is of the essence and action will be needed as soon as the new Government is formed. This is a golden opportunity that cannot be missed."