News item | 28-09-2023 | 15:21
Minister Ernst Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport, Director General of International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis of Foreign Affairs and more than 20 parties are joining forces to strengthen their efforts in the field of global health. The Global Health Hub Netherlands was launched for this purpose on September 28, 2023. To further strengthen the collaboration, they have also signed the Global Health Pact.
The Global Health Hub Netherlands was founded to be a forerunner in the organization of global health care. To this end, the Hub unites knowledge institutes, academics, NGOs, top sectors, young people, innovators and think tanks active in the field of global health. By joining forces, the partners of the Global Health Hub Netherlands contribute to:
- Strengthening of the global health architecture and national health systems. Including by improving access to basic healthcare and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
- It improving international pandemic preparedness and minimizing cross-border health threats. By focusing on global access to medicines and health products, and by strengthening international efforts on antibiotic resistance (AMR) and zoonosis.
- Addressing the impact of climate change on public health and vice versa. By means of making healthcare globally sustainable and by ensuring it is resilient to climate change.
Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport: “We all clearly feel the urgency to work towards a more robust and fair public health ecosystem globally. The challenges we face are so comprehensive that we must address them in every possible way. Seeking cooperation is crucial. And I don’t just mean that we need to find a symbiosis between countries, but also between government departments and different sectors. We need the expertise of knowledge institutes and non-governmental organizations and we need both public and private partners. Everyone has a role to play. This is the only way we can move forward in meeting the challenges of our time.”
Improving health worldwide
The Global Health Hub Netherlands is part of the government’s global health strategy. Central points of this strategy are promoting cooperation, sharing knowledge and experience and defending human rights to improve the health of people worldwide.
Director General of International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis of Foreign Affairs: “It is clearer than ever that health crosses boundaries. And that we all depend on each other to limit health challenges, such as new disease outbreaks and the health impacts of climate change. Collaboration between sectors and across borders is essential. That’s why we’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Health to develop the Global Health Strategy and the Global Health Hub. To identify the most urgent needs, to bring together knowledge, engagement and financial support, to mobilize communities to stand up for their health rights, to strengthen health systems and to meet the needs of the most deprived, including women , children and LGBTIQ+ people.”