International health partnerships

Abstract

There are gross inequalities and inequities in health and healthcare around the world. A male born in Malawi can expect to live until the average age of 44 compared to 80 if born in Japan [1]. Child mortality in the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region is estimated at 119 per 1,000 live births, compared to 14 per 1,000 live births in the WHO European region [1]. Ninety-nine percent of all maternal deaths occur in developing countries [2]. It is estimated that Africa has 2.3 health workers per 1,000 population, compared with the Americas, where there are 24.8 healthcare workers per 1,000 population [3]. Closing the gap on such inequalities requires access to essential health services, which in itself requires stronger health systems with appropriate infrastructure, medicines and equipment, as well as trained health workers.