Foreign Aid Will Not Solve NCDs In Low-, Middle-Income Countries
Focusing on foreign aid as a solution to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries “creates a dangerous mindset of dependency on Western countries rather than encouraging citizens to hold their own governments to account,” Greg Paton, a technical adviser to the Uganda NCD Alliance, writes in the Arogya World blog. “It also presents a narrative that focuses on money, rather than political will and cost-saving policy interventions, as the solution,” he continues. “No amount of aid could stop the endless flow of sick people created by government inaction on tobacco or unhealthy food,” he writes, adding, “Too many governments have failed to roll up their sleeves and take the necessary action.” Paton concludes, “It’s time to empower countries to take action and show that, despite limited resources, this is a fight we can win” (1/8).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.