The Role of the Private Sector in the Global Health Agenda

Health investments are a fundamental element for the growth of low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and attract a significant amount of resources within the overall development cooperation agenda. High-GDP states are the main financiers in this field. However, the for-profit private sector also provides a substantial contribution that complements public efforts. Companies – not only those directly linked to the healthcare domain – allocate funds and share know-how with various players in the healthcare sector of LMICs. While following a humanitarian logic, they safeguard their economic interests, by ensuring, for example, the stability of regions in which they operate and invest. In this regard, public-private partnerships are useful for both sides and in fact appear essential in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”) of the 2030 United Nations Agenda.

Paper presented at the conference “Il ruolo del settore privato nella salute globale”, Rome, 3 April 2025.