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The Global Health Partnerships Programme

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the well-being and health of the Dutch population are inextricably linked to developments in the rest of the world. It became clearer than ever that even if we manage things well in the Netherlands, diseases do not stop at borders. That’s why the Dutch Global Health Strategy (GHS) focuses on improved international cooperation.

By contributing to better health and healthcare worldwide, we not only strengthen public health in other countries but also protect our own society. Additionally, a strong, future-proof health sector contributes to stability, economic opportunities, and innovation, both here and in the countries with which we collaborate.

The Global Health Partnerships Programme (GHPP) supports partnerships with other countries to address these challenges. Since its launch in 2023, the programme has focused on urgent themes including: pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the impact of climate change on health, and vice versa.

What does the GHPP do?

The GHPP is a government-to-government (G2G) initiative in which the Netherlands collaborates with health ministries and public institutions in strategic partner countries. Because this collaboration takes place between and within governments, solutions can be well embedded into policies and structures, ensuring long-term impact. The strength of the programme also lies in its demand-driven and flexible approach, ensuring projects align with both local needs and Dutch interests.

To increase effectiveness, we involve knowledge institutions, hospitals, businesses, and civil society organizations where their expertise can make a difference. GHPP projects not only contribute to strong healthcare systems worldwide but also provide the Netherlands with valuable insights from other countries. This creates a mutual exchange of knowledge and innovation. In addition to stronger policies, it also offers opportunities for Dutch knowledge institutions and companies to enhance their international cooperation and market position.

Some examples:

  • Kenya: Together with the Kenyan Ministry of Health, we are working on climate-resilient healthcare. This involves not only research into the impact of heatwaves and malaria, but also the development of guidelines for sustainable hospitals. The Netherlands learns from Kenya’s approach to drought and water management, while Kenya adopts Dutch methods to reduce CO₂ emissions in healthcare.
  • China: Globally, the health sector accounts for around 5% of total CO₂ emissions. By working with China on more efficient medicine use and energy-efficient hospitals, we reduce the environmental and climate impact of healthcare. One concrete project is the switch from polluting anaesthetic gases to intravenous anaesthesia, significantly lowering the ecological footprint of hospitals in both countries.
  • Colombia: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health threats. The Netherlands is working with Colombia on the WHO Tricycle protocol, which enables standardized measurement and control of AMR in humans, animals, and the environment. This contributes to better management of resistant bacteria and protects the Netherlands from their spread.
  • Indonesia: A strong vaccine infrastructure is crucial for global health through the control of infectious diseases. The Netherlands supports Indonesia with training in biotechnology and pharmaceutical production, thereby improving both local capacity and Dutch access to medicines.
  • South Africa: By detecting diseases such as COVID-19 early through wastewater analysis, healthcare systems can respond faster and prevent outbreaks. This not only helps South Africa but also contributes to knowledge the Netherlands can apply in its own infectious disease policy and helps prevent future pandemics.
  • India: India plays a key role in global pharmaceutical production. By working together on more sustainable production methods and a more robust healthcare system, we help ensure that this essential sector is resilient to climate change and supply risks.

Scaling Up

An important aspect of the GHPP is the scaling up of successful projects and best practices. By widely sharing effective solutions, they can be applied in other regions or even globally, creating a multiplier effect. This can be achieved through initiatives such as the WHO Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH), which supports countries in integrating climate-resilient and sustainable healthcare into their policies.

The GHPP also serves as a catalyst for broader collaborations and investments. By linking relatively small-scale initiatives to international protocols, funds, and banks, these projects are not only scaled up but also generate a flywheel effect. A good example is Colombia, where the project is the first in the world to integrate WHO protocols for AMR control across all sectors (food chain, animal, human, and environment) through the One Health approach. In Kenya, collaboration with the Global Fund and other bilateral partners is strengthening and expanding climate-resilient healthcare. The collaboration with China also opens doors for further scaling through multilateral development banks.

Resilient Healthcare through Global Cooperation

By working with strategic countries and partners through the GHPP, we increase our own knowledge, strengthen the security of supply for medicines and vaccines, and ensure that healthcare systems are better prepared for future challenges. This not only contributes to global health but also makes the Netherlands itself more resilient. In 2025, existing partnerships will be further expanded, with a stronger focus on mutual knowledge exchange and practical applications.