§ 1. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the public health priorities of her Department. [39058]
§ Mr. FoulkesOur top priority for public health in poor countries is to strengthen health systems to meet better the needs of poorer people. Many developing countries currently spend less than £3 per person per year on all health needs. But it is recognised that as little as £9 per person per year is needed to make a major difference to poor people's health. We work to support health sector reform and improvements in water and sanitation. We have seen real progress in the last decade with new approaches to reduce suffering from TB and Malaria. More needs to be done. Poor people are at high risk of death from communicable disease and ill health increases their poverty.