..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 22 May 2007
Press Release No. G/19/2007/CS63/25

UN Urges Booming Asia-Pacific to Invest More in Health

Health Focus of UNESCAP Annual Meeting in Almaty

Almaty (United Nations Information Services, Bangkok) -- Despite its impressive economic growth, the Asia-Pacific region has one of the lowest levels of investment in health in the world. The shortfall threatens to undermine the region’s long-term development. This issue was discussed today by ministers from the 62 member governments of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) who gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, for the annual Commission session. 

Development of health system in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the theme topic of this year’s Commission session. Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Under-Secretary-General of United Nations and Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, told delegates that studies had shown that investment in health was closely linked to improved economic performance. Yet, Asia-Pacific is falling behind other regions in this regard.  

For example, putting both government and private expenditure together, South Asia spends only 4.4% of its GDP on health, while East Asia and the Pacific is only slightly better at 5.0%. In contrast, 6.1% is spent by Sub-Sahara Africa and 6.8% by Latin America and the Caribbean.

Government spending on health was also lowest in the region, Mr. Kim pointed out. South Asia governments spend only 1.1% of GDP on health, and East Asia and the Pacific 1.9%. The figures for Sub-Sahara African, and for Latin America and the Caribbean, are 2.4% and 3.3% respectively. “The high level of out-of-pocket expenditure by patients themselves had driven many people into poverty”, Mr. Kim added.

The solution was not only more investment, but to make health system equitable and more accessible to the poor and the vulnerable, Mr. Kim told delegates. “Countries that have come far towards achieving the health-related MDGs are those which have ensured that all sections of the population have access to a minimum level of health care at an affordable cost”, said Mr. Kim.

Equally important was “to tackle key determinants of health such as gender inequality, illiteracy as well as stigma and discrimination”, added Mr. Kim.

“Health divide is the worst form of inequality”, said Mr. Cho Jung-Pyo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea.

“Ensuring access to health services is absolutely essential to reduce poverty”, noted Mr. Indriyono Tantoro, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Health, Indonesia.              

For around 20 developing countries which spend less than US$ 20 per person per year in health, an extra US$ 25 billion a year is needed to enable them to meet the minimum requirement for basic health services. Mr Kim said closing the financing gap was not impossible, as economic growth had given governments the room to increase health spending.

“Political commitment is essential”, he continued. “Also important is to implement policies which promote efficient spending of resources”.  Mr. Kim said the meeting provided a useful opportunity for Asian-Pacific countries to share experiences.     

Among the speakers at the panel discussion were Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ensaikhan Mendsaikhan, and Minister of Healthcare of Kazakhstan, Anatoly Dernovoi.  

This is the first time UNESCAP holds its annual meeting in Central Asia since it was founded 60 years ago. President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan inaugurated the ministerial segment of the meeting on Monday 21 May. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent his message through a representative. On the opening day, ministers overwhelmingly supported a road map proposed by UNESCAP which aimed to help countries lagging behind in achieving the MDGs to get back on-track. The Commission is expected to endorse the road map when it concludes on Wednesday 23 May. 

Further information on the theme study by UNESCAP on investment in health is available at www.unescap.org/63

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Hak-Fan Lau, Chief
United Nations Information Services
In Almaty mobile: +(7 705) 168 1553
Email: unisbkk.unecap@un.org
http://www.unescap.org/63/index_media.asp

Mr. Vlastimil Samek
Representative
Department of Public Information
United Nations Secretariat
Tole Bi 67, Almaty
Tel. +(7-327) 2582643
Email: dpi.kz@undp.org

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Headquartered in Bangkok, UNESCAP is the largest of the UN's five Regional Commissions in terms of its membership, population served and area covered. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia-Pacific region, UNESCAP aims to promote economic and social progress. More information on UNESCAP is available from www.unescap.org