Over 50 people - from academic institutions, NGOs, DFID, and consultancy firms - gathered in London on 27 September 2006 to participate in a panel discussion on sector wide approaches, organised by the HLSP Institute.

The event also celebrated the launch of a new CD-ROM learning resource to promote sector wide approaches (SWAps) in health.

Background
New funding for AIDS, TB and malaria has resulted in a doubling or more of the health budget in many countries, mainly paying for targeted programmes to tackle these diseases. Some donors are putting non-earmarked resources through the general budget. Meanwhile, core health system functions, such as human resources and information systems, are often chronically under-funded.

In this environment, what benefits does a SWAp bring? How can a SWAp be most effective in harmonisation and alignment efforts? Can targeted programmes go hand in hand with sector wide approaches? And how can different stakeholders make the most of a SWAp?

The panel discussion
The presenters, speaking independently of their organisations, offered perspectives from government, civil society and donors. A lively debate followed, chaired by Ken Grant, the Institute's Director.

To find our more, you can download the summary note from the discussion and the three panelists' presentations: Sam Adjei (Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service and a former Director of Research in the Ministry of Health), Jorn Heldrup (Senior Health Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark), and Robinah Kaitiritimba (co-ordinator of the Uganda National Health Consumers Organisation).