Let's Talk Gates Foundation
The Lancet has a new study, and some accompanying articles out about The Gates Foundation’s impact on global health. It’s re-ignited the ongoing debate over Gates and the efforts it chooses to emphasize. You’re heard my criticism of Gates before – too much focus on AIDS and quick fixes, not enough of a systems approach. Let’s see what the Lancet has to say in their editorial about the new study:
1. “the Foundation inaugurated an important new era of scientific commitment to global health predicaments… other more well-established funding organisations—such as the US National Institutes of Health—now take their international health responsibilities far more seriously thanks to the Foundation's energetic advocacy.”
2. "Important health programmes are being distorted by large grants from the Gates Foundation. For example, a focus on malaria in areas where other diseases cause more human harm creates damaging perverse incentives for politicians, policy makers, and health workers. In some countries, the valuable resources of the Foundation are being wasted and diverted from more urgent needs.”
3. "The first guiding principle of the Foundation is that it is “driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family”. An annual letter from Bill Gates summarises those passions, referring to newspaper articles, books, and chance events that have shaped the Foundation's strategy. For such a large and influential investor in global health, is such a whimsical governance principle good enough?"
In my next post, I’ll give you my take on the study.
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