LONDON, Jan 17 (Reuters) – The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is wrong to play such a big role in global health financing, but the group’s chief executive says unless others come forward , otherwise the organization will not back down.
The Gates Foundation has faced criticism that it has too much power and influence in global health, including within the World Health Organization, without the necessary accountability.
In an annual letter released Tuesday, Chief Executive Mark Suzman hit back at the criticism, revealing that the foundation will spend $8.3 billion this year, its largest annual budget ever.
“It’s not right that private philanthropy is one of the biggest funders of transnational global health efforts,” he said, adding that countries should lead the way.
“But make no mistake – as long as there are solutions that improve livelihoods and save lives, we will advocate relentlessly. We will not stop using our influence, and our monetary commitment, to find solutions.”
Suzman said the purpose of the fund is not to set the agenda for the WHO or other global health organizations, but to give them better options and data as they make critical decisions.
Bill and Melinda Gates, the tech billionaire turned philanthropists who founded the foundation, have long defended their efforts amid questions over whether their massive payouts will They bring undue influence and influence over global development.
In addition to funding efforts to eradicate diseases such as malaria and polio, the Gates Foundation is the second-largest donor to the World Health Organization, one of the issues critics often raise about its role, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the epidemic.
“I would be happy if more governments put us on the list – because it means more lives could be saved,” Suzman wrote.
Last year, the World Health Organization reached an agreement that member states would increase their guaranteed contributions, reduce the role of private donors and allow the UN agency more flexibility in spending.
Reporting by Jennifer Rigby Editing by Mark Heinrich
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