Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn: "A strong German network for global health"
Starting signal for the "Global Health Hub Germany"
Together with 200 partners from health organizations, foundations, non-governmental organizations, science and academia, and the healthcare industry, the Federal Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, has launched the creation of a network to combat disease and advance prevention projects worldwide with Germany as its base. At the kick-off event on Tuesday in Berlin, Spahn suggested that the "Global Health Hub Germany" initially address tropical diseases, cancer and digitalization.
With the creation of the Global Health Hub, Germany assumes its responsibility for improving healthcare worldwide. In this network, we will join our forces to move forward in our fight against tropical diseases, cancer and antibiotic resistance. We also intend to advance the digitalization of healthcare provision internationally. Germany must leverage its strength and competence to provide effective assistance. Quality healthcare does not stop at national borders.
As an independent Germany-based network, the Global Health Hub Germany will be bringing together stakeholders from various sectors and parts of society who are interested in, and committed to, achieving global health. It will promote informal exchange and facilitate the creation of new projects and partnerships.
In setting up the hub, the Federal Ministry of Health leaned on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. These call for increased interdisciplinary exchange and closer cooperation between different sectors and stakeholders.
Over a period of three years (2019–2021), the Federal Ministry of Health will support the Global Health Hub Germany by means of seed funding. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) will serve as the network's managing office for this period of time, assuming the necessary coordination tasks.
On the occasion of the kick-off event, the Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn announced that €1.5 million in funding will be awarded in support of the World Health Organization's Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN).