THE INTERSECTION OF PHILANTHROPY AND

SUSTAINABLE HEALTH

FELIX OSEI-SARPONG

USAID GHANA, HPNO

Presented at GIC Conference

ACCRA.

September 14, 2012

PHILANTHROPY

Philanthropy: In modern practical terms, it is "private

initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life“.

Philanthropy is the mystical mingling of a joyous giver,

an artful asker, and a grateful recipient.

Douglas M. Lawson

SUSTAINABLE HEALTH:

• A definition of sustainable healthcare is given by the

journal Nutrition Practitioner as - "A complex system

of interacting approaches to the restoration,

management and optimization of human health that

has an ecological base, that is environmentally,

economically and socially viable indefinitely, that

functions harmoniously both with the human body

and the non-human environment, and which does not

result in unfair or disproportionate impacts on any

significant contributory element of the healthcare

system."

TRENDS IN GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY

• Global philanthropy, remittances, and private capital

investment totaled $575 billion in 2010 (latest

available data), accounting for 82% of the developed

world’s economic dealings with developing countries.

• Government aid grew to one of its highest levels at

$128 billion, it accounted for only 18% of total

financial flows and continues to be a minority

shareholder in the international development

landscape.

Source: Center for Global Prosperity’s 7th annual Index

TRENDS IN GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY cont.

• Foreign assistance has been reinvented over the last

decade, as private philanthropy and public‐private

partnerships have taken on an ever more important

and larger role in the delivery of assistance.

• In 2010, 82% of the developed world’s total economic

engagement with the developing world was through

private financial flows, including investment,

philanthropy, and remittances.

TRENDS IN GLOBAL PHILANTHROPY cont.

• Rise of remittances

• Relative decline of ODA’s importance

• Technology’s impact (disintermediation)

• Rise of social entrepreneurship, social enterprise,

social finance, and expanding hybrid cross-sectoral

(nonprofit <->for profit) universe

• These flows have proven to be sustainable even in

the face of global recession.

U.S Total Net Economic Engagement with

Developing Countries, 2010

INTERSECTION BETWEEN PHILANTHROPY AND

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

PHILANTHROPY AND SUSTAINABLE HEALTH IN

GHANA

• Ghana has benefitted immensely from many years of

philanthropic initiatives in the health Sector.

• Philanthropic funds have served as catalyst for so

many health initiatives.

• The health status of many Ghanaians have improved

through the generous donation of philanthropic

organizations.

FUTURE OF PHILANTHROPY IN GHANA

• Ghana is likely to face decline in donor funding in

light of its middle income status.

• Philanthropic contribution will be essential to support

Government in the sustenance of a number of health

development programs.

FUTURE OF PHILANTHROPY IN GHANA

• Multilateral and bilateral agencies are increasingly

recognizing the impact of philanthropy and

remittances and the value of including civil society in

aid discussions.

• Governments are also increasingly expressing

interest in better measures of their philanthropy.

DRAFT COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION STRATEGY (CDCS, 2013-2017) RESULTS FRAMEWORK

REVISED 06/06/2012

GOAL:

Ghana's Transition Towards Established Middle Income Status Accelerated

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE 1:

Strengthened Democratic Governance

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE 2:

Sustainable and Broadly Shared

Economic Growth

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE 3:

Equitable Improvements in

Health Status

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE 4:

Improved Reading and

Maths Performance in Primary School

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHILANTHROPIC

ORGANIZATIONS

• Ownership of the beneficiary: The indispensible

requisite

• Continuity and matching funds are crucial

• Independent process monitoring is required

• Comparative analysis of programs and of project

results

• Networking among donors, exchange of experience

• Ultimate potential of collaboration:

Identification of development paths in mutual interest

Co-ordinated time planning and shared investment

WAY FORWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH

• Create policies for philanthropy as an investment in

society.

• Develop an inclusive environment for philanthropic

investment.

• “Professionalize” the field.

• Improve collaboration, communication, and

knowledge sharing.

• Mobilize “field level” leadership behind this agenda

(sustainable Health ).

“A sustainable health system also has three key attributes:

affordability, for patients and families, employers, and the

government;

acceptability to key constituents, including patients and health

professionals;

and adaptability, because health and health care needs are not

static (i.e., a health system must respond adaptively to new

diseases, changing demographics, scientific discoveries, and

dynamic technologies in order to remain viable)”. A Successful and Sustainable Health System — How to Get There from Here

Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:1020-1027March 15,

2012

THANKS