Financement hors GHS, or funding outside the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), refers to the resources allocated to global health security activities that are not directly channeled through or accounted for within the GHSA framework. While the GHSA aims to foster international collaboration and strengthen national capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, significant funding also flows through other avenues.
These alternative pathways can include bilateral aid from individual countries directly to partner nations, multilateral funding mechanisms managed by organizations like the World Bank or the World Health Organization (WHO) that operate independently of GHSA, and philanthropic contributions from foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation or the Wellcome Trust. These organizations often have their own strategic priorities and grant-making processes, which may align with GHSA goals but aren’t necessarily integrated into the GHSA’s coordinated approach.
Several reasons contribute to the existence of financement hors GHS. Firstly, countries may have pre-existing bilateral agreements with specific partners that dictate the allocation of health security funding. These relationships, built on historical ties or strategic alliances, often prioritize specific needs or regions deemed crucial by the donor country. Secondly, multilateral institutions like the WHO have broader mandates encompassing all aspects of global health, and their funding streams may support health security activities as part of broader health systems strengthening initiatives. Thirdly, philanthropic organizations often target specific diseases or interventions, and their funding may contribute to aspects of health security without being explicitly labelled as GHSA-related. For example, investments in strengthening laboratory capacity for HIV diagnosis could also enhance surveillance capabilities for other emerging pathogens, indirectly contributing to GHSA objectives.
While financement hors GHS provides crucial resources for global health security, its existence raises concerns about coordination and potential duplication of efforts. Without a clear understanding of the total resources being invested and how they align with GHSA goals, it becomes challenging to track progress, identify gaps, and ensure that funding is being used efficiently. Furthermore, the lack of coordination can lead to fragmented efforts, with different actors pursuing similar goals in isolation, potentially undermining the overall impact.
To improve the effectiveness of global health security investments, greater transparency and coordination are needed between GHSA and other funding mechanisms. This could involve developing shared metrics for tracking progress, establishing platforms for information sharing, and promoting joint planning exercises. Furthermore, encouraging alignment between donor priorities and national health security strategies can help ensure that all resources, regardless of their source, are contributing to the achievement of shared goals. Ultimately, a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to financing global health security is essential for effectively preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats around the world.