§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank are carrying out cost/benefit analyses of the cutbacks in health sector provisions in client countries and the subsequent increase in infectious diseases documented by the World Health Organisations. [HL1284]
§ Lord WhittyA perceived resurgence of infectious diseases is caused by multiple factors and linking them explicitly to any interaction such as changes in health sector provision is difficult. Infectious diseases are intimately associated with overall levels of poverty and social provision within a community, the development of infrastructure and the economies of the client countries involved. It is standard practice that the costs and benefits of World Bank loans are appraised at the time of loan approval. Over recent years both the World Bank and the IMF have commissioned specific pieces of work looking at the impact of national efforts to manage public spending and increase the effectiveness of health sector action on the health status of populations in poorer countries.