WHO tells African leaders to look inwards because global aid donors are fatigued

Matshidiso Moeti, regional head of World Health Organisation (WHO) in Africa, has advised continental leaders to mobilise resources from within to reduce reliance on external donations.

In an interview with Africa Renewal, Moeti said donors were fatigued globally as a result of conflicts, migration and humanitarian crises.

“We play a strong advocacy role in encouraging partners and donor countries to offer financial and other support to the most challenged countries,” he said.

“However, we must acknowledge that there is donor fatigue globally arising from conflicts, migration and humanitarian crises as they demand more resources from the international community.

“We need to mobilise more resources from within our region so we can gradually reduce reliance on external donations. African countries may also need to look at innovative ways of mobilising resources through targeted tax regimes (such as has been done elsewhere with airfares and “sin” taxes).

“WHO will offer technical guidance and expertise to build the capacity to mobilise and use resources more effectively while also ensuring transparency and accountability.

“Governments should be more innovative in raising revenues from domestic sources and ensuring that all of their populations have access to essential health services.”

Moeti, who is the first woman to head WHO’s regional office in Africa, revealed that ministers of health in African countries have agreed to mobilise more resources for health.