The Role of the Private Sector in the Global Health Agenda

Health investments are a fundamental element for the growthof low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and attract asignificant amount of resources within the overall developmentcooperation agenda. High-GDP states are the main financiersin this field. However, the for-profit private sector also providesa substantial contribution that complements public efforts.Companies – not only those directly linked to the healthcaredomain – allocate funds and share know-how with variousplayers in the healthcare sector of LMICs. While following ahumanitarian logic, they safeguard their economic interests,by ensuring, for example, the stability of regions in which theyoperate and invest. In this regard, public-private partnershipsare useful for both sides and in fact appear essential in orderto achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Ensure healthylives and promote well-being for all at all ages”) of the 2030United Nations Agenda.