Global health leaders gathered in Doha to re-examine financing models for the Global South, calling for sustainable, country-led solutions that better integrate health and education. The seminar, titled ‘Rethinking Global Health Financing’, was organised by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in co-operation with the Gates Foundation and supported by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
A Call for Active Partnership
A central theme of the event was Qatar’s vision for a more equitable global health system. A speaker emphasised that the platform reflects the nation’s commitment to “cooperation, innovation, and collective responsibility”. Qatar’s support for the initiative stems from a firm belief that countries in the Global South should be active partners in shaping policy, not merely recipients. The goal is for these nations to be proactive in developing their own solutions and to have a strong voice in the global health dialogue.
The discussion featured Sheikha Haya bint Abdulrahman al-Thani of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Dr Muyi Aina from Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Magdalena Robert of the Gates Foundation.
Shifting Global Health Financing Strategies
In light of declining development aid, the Gates Foundation is rethinking its approach to health financing. Magdalena Robert, the foundation’s deputy director of Advocacy and Communications, stressed the need for cost-effective and sustainable models led by individual countries. She noted that philanthropic organisations often fund high-risk research and development that others might avoid, aiming to build local capacity and strengthen national ownership rather than creating dependency. Robert also highlighted that the health and education sectors are deeply interconnected and must advance together.
The Critical Link Between Health and Education
The relationship between health and education was a key focus for speakers, who shared practical insights on how the two sectors can support each other.
Insights from Nigeria’s Experience
Dr Muyi Aina explained Nigeria’s efforts to sustain its health and education programmes, stating, “health is the foundation of education, and education is the foundation of health; good education builds a healthy society.” He offered a concrete example where schools in Nigeria helped distribute vaccines to students by using databases that track attendance. This initiative also revealed that students who lack quality education often suffer from poor health conditions. He also underscored the importance of training and empowering girls for the workforce.
A Donor’s Perspective on Integration
From a donor’s viewpoint, Sheikha Haya reaffirmed the QFFD’s commitment to providing urgent humanitarian aid while also pursuing long-term sustainable development that strengthens health systems. She explained that schools serve as a vital link for addressing children’s health issues and have a responsibility to identify challenges facing girls and children. Sheikha Haya also pointed to the growing role of Gulf donors in pioneering innovative financing models that move beyond traditional aid frameworks and are rooted in national priorities and local ownership.
