Irish Aid And HSE Agree To Work Together On Improving Health In Developing World

The Memorandum of Understanding commits both organisations to strengthening Ireland's overall contribution to health in the developing world by sharing expertise and promoting international best practice in support to developing countries.

The agreement builds on existing links between the two organisations, which have involved the HSE providing expertise and technical advice to Irish Aid on health policy and proposals while Irish Aid has provided funding to Irish health institutions which are working with their counterparts in the developing world.

Speaking at the signing, Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power said: "Irish Aid is committed to improving the health of the world's poorest people and ending the tragedy whereby millions of mothers and young children die needlessly every year.

"We support health programmes in countries including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique and are strongly committed to tackling the scourge of HIV and AIDS.

"The agreement ... will allow some of Ireland's most committed and experienced health practitioners to assist Irish Aid in addressing the many challenges facing communities in the developing world.

"Being able to call on their expertise - as appropriate and needed - will greatly enhance Ireland's overall contribution to improving the health of the world's most vulnerable communities.

"Almost nine million children in the developing world lose their life each year, mainly due to preventable illness. More than 400,000 women die each year during childbirth. This is clearly unacceptably high and will remain so unless we urgently increase access to safe maternal services.

"I am delighted that the HSE will make some of their experts available to Irish Aid as requested by us to assist us in tackling these challenges. Meanwhile, Irish Aid will assist the HSE by promoting best international practice in the HSE's initiatives to support developing countries. I have no doubt that our combined efforts will be greater than the sum of their parts. "

HSE chief executive, Professor Brendan Drumm said:  "Ireland's commitment to people in developing countries is well-regarded around the world. Many of our health professionals have in fact worked in developing countries. They have made valuable contributions and have been enriched professionally and personally by the experience.  This latest development enables us to build on this work by assisting Irish Aid directly and facilitating staff to work in aid projects."