IsDB Partners with WHO to Boost Health Impact Investment

In a significant development for global health and climate resilience, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has committed a US$ 10 million grant to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support the Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP). This contribution was announced during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku on November 12, 2024, marking a major milestone in the ongoing effort to enhance primary healthcare systems and reinforce health resilience in low- and middle-income countries.

This partnership between IsDB and WHO signifies a critical step toward operationalizing global health and climate commitments. The Health Impact Investment Platform (HIIP) is an innovative initiative designed to address the growing intersection of health and climate challenges, particularly in regions most vulnerable to these issues. The initiative is grounded in the collaboration between Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), WHO, and countries that require robust solutions for health and climate-related crises.

Collaboration for Global Health

The HIIP is a pioneering framework that aims to integrate investments in climate-resilient healthcare services with primary health care, particularly in underserved communities. With a focus on climate and crisis-resilient health systems, the platform seeks to enhance healthcare services that can withstand emerging health threats and the growing impact of climate change. This collaboration brings together expertise from WHO, MDBs, and national governments to focus on strengthening health systems and expanding access to essential healthcare services in low- and middle-income countries.

For many regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, the intersection of climate change and health is a growing concern. Extreme weather events, changing disease patterns, and shifting ecosystems are creating unprecedented challenges for health systems. In these regions, the demand for resilient primary healthcare systems is at an all-time high. The HIIP aims to respond to this demand by providing targeted investments that focus on improving health infrastructure, increasing access to quality healthcare, and ensuring that health services can continue functioning under climate stress.

IsDB’s Commitment to Global Health

The US$ 10 million grant from IsDB is designed to support the technical assistance WHO provides to countries, helping them assess their health investment needs and design impactful healthcare projects. This financial contribution will be used to lay the groundwork for future co-investment by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), ensuring that health interventions are focused on areas with the highest potential for improving health outcomes.

As part of WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, the organization has made climate resilience a key priority. The goal is to strengthen national health systems and make 10,000 health facilities fully functional, incorporating solar electrification to make healthcare services more sustainable. WHO’s commitment to climate resilience includes the development and implementation of national adaptation plans for climate change, particularly in vulnerable countries. The IsDB’s contribution will help fund these initiatives, ensuring that they not only enhance healthcare access but also create a sustainable foundation for climate-resilient health infrastructure.

This initiative goes beyond merely providing financial support for health projects. It represents a long-term commitment to creating a sustainable framework for health systems that are adaptable to the effects of climate change while also ensuring that people in these regions have access to affordable and high-quality health services. By integrating climate resilience into health infrastructure, the partnership will be creating a blueprint for how countries can build systems that are capable of withstanding the unpredictable challenges posed by both health emergencies and climate disruptions.

The IsDB’s $10 million grant is just the beginning. This significant contribution is expected to unlock at least US$ 500 million in health investments across regions that need it the most. This funding is part of a larger effort to mobilize US$ 1.5 billion in concessional loans and grants, focusing on critical national health priorities. These funds will be directed towards developing and expanding primary healthcare systems that can withstand future crises, whether they are health-related, such as pandemics, or climate-related.

By investing in the HIIP, IsDB is addressing the urgent need for financing to strengthen healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. As climate change continues to pose risks to global health systems, the demand for financial resources to build resilient healthcare infrastructures has never been greater. IsDB is leading the charge to ensure that these countries are not left behind in the global effort to combat both health and climate challenges.

The ongoing support from IsDB ensures that the investments made will have a ripple effect, potentially unlocking additional funds from other sources and leveraging partnerships with various international development institutions and governments. This collaborative funding model will also help address some of the most pressing health needs across the developing world, ensuring that funds are allocated in a way that maximizes the impact on the populations that need it the most.

Related: IsDB Approves $156M for Cancer Treatment Centers in Turkmenistan

Strengthening Primary Healthcare

As Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, highlighted, “Low- and middle-income countries need access to sustainable financing to strengthen their health systems through primary healthcare, to make them both more resilient to pandemics and more equitable in delivering essential health services.” IsDB Partners with WHO to address this critical gap, ensuring that healthcare services can be expanded and strengthened where they are needed most.

The Health Impact Investment Platform combines WHO’s public health expertise with the resources and financing knowledge of the IsDB and other multilateral development banks. This powerful partnership enables countries to design health systems that are resilient to both current and future health threats, while also integrating climate-smart solutions that will provide sustainable healthcare for generations to come.

As part of this collaboration, IsDB and WHO are working to ensure that countries can tap into the expertise and financial resources they need to address the underlying challenges in their health systems. This approach goes beyond the simple provision of funds—it’s about enabling countries to design and implement health solutions that are sustainable, effective, and tailored to their unique needs.

This partnership also provides the necessary tools and expertise to assist governments in building stronger health infrastructure and implementing strategies that can help their populations cope with both environmental and health-related crises. These efforts will ultimately enable nations to reduce their dependency on external aid and create more self-sufficient healthcare systems that are more capable of responding to emergencies.

The Pressing Health Challenges

In his statement, IsDB President H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser remarked, “The Islamic Development Bank is proud to support the Health Impact Investment Platform as part of our unwavering commitment to advancing universal health coverage and resilience in our Member Countries.” Dr. Al Jasser emphasized that IsDB’s involvement in this groundbreaking initiative will help scale up primary healthcare services in regions where they are most needed. These healthcare services will help build a stronger foundation to withstand future crises and will also address the pressing health challenges faced by communities around the world.

The Health Impact Investment Platform also takes into account other global priorities, including the promotion of universal health coverage, gender equality, and the reduction of health disparities. By incorporating these goals into its core framework, the initiative ensures that its efforts are not only focused on improving health systems but also on creating equitable access to healthcare for marginalized populations.

IsDB’s partnership with WHO is a clear example of how multilateral partnerships can be leveraged to tackle the complex issues at the intersection of climate change and global health. By aligning efforts across countries, global organizations, and development banks, this initiative ensures that climate resilience and health resilience are not siloed but are integrated into one cohesive effort.

As we look toward the future, it’s clear that the IsDB and WHO partnership is more than just a financial contribution—it is a long-term commitment to improving global health systems, particularly in regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and health crises. Through the Health Impact Investment Platform, IsDB and WHO are fostering partnerships that will lead to tangible improvements in health infrastructure, expanding access to essential healthcare services, and enhancing the ability of countries to adapt to changing climate conditions.

In addition to the financial commitments, this collaboration is setting a global standard for how public health expertise, financial resources, and climate solutions can come together to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time. As we move forward, the Health Impact Investment Platform will play a crucial role in transforming healthcare delivery and building a healthier, more equitable future for communities worldwide.

By providing not only funds but also the technical expertise and strategic guidance needed to create climate-resilient health systems, IsDB and WHO are ensuring that their partnership goes beyond simply addressing current health challenges. Their focus on future-proofing health systems through innovation and sustainability will leave a lasting impact on the health and well-being of generations to come.

Health Impact Investment Platform

One of the unique aspects of the Health Impact Investment Platform is its holistic approach to improving health outcomes. Rather than focusing solely on healthcare delivery, the platform also considers the environmental and social factors that influence health. By combining climate resilience with primary healthcare, this initiative aims to create a sustainable model for health systems that can thrive in the face of future challenges.

Furthermore, the initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3—Good Health and Well-Being. The collaboration between IsDB and WHO will drive progress toward universal health coverage, ensuring that more people in low- and middle-income countries have access to the healthcare services they need to lead healthy lives.

The Health Impact Investment Platform is also set to influence global health policy, providing a blueprint for other regions to follow. By showing the world what is possible when multilateral organizations work together, the initiative will encourage other nations and organizations to invest in health systems strengthening and climate-resilient infrastructure.

The IsDB Partners with WHO initiative is a transformative collaboration that goes beyond traditional funding models. It brings together the resources, expertise, and networks of multilateral development banks, WHO, and governments to create a health system that is resilient to climate change, pandemics, and other emerging health threats. This partnership represents a bold step forward in the pursuit of universal health coverage, and it sets a powerful example for how collaboration can solve some of the most pressing global challenges.

By investing in climate-resilient health systems, supporting primary healthcare expansion, and fostering long-term sustainability, the Health Impact Investment Platform is poised to make a lasting impact on global health outcomes. With the backing of IsDB, WHO, and other partners, this initiative is creating a healthier, more resilient world for everyone.