§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department has financed(a) health care and (b) education projects that have involved an element of privatisation. [87428]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is focused on improving health and education services for the poor and favours policies that achieve this objective. We do, however, recognise the importance of the private sector in delivering services to the poor. For example, 50–80 per cent. of all health care expenditures in developing countries are through the private sector. In parallel to our work to strengthen public sector health systems, DFID support to private sector providers seeks to increase access to high quality health services for the poor. Examples of interventions include support to social marketing of condoms and contraceptives and bed nets to prevent malaria.