Minister Hussen announces new projects to strengthen health systems that reach the poorest and most vulnerable

February 7, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

In the last few years, healthcare systems around the world, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, have faced unprecedented strains. Climate change and geopolitical crises have exacerbated these pressures. As a result, many women and children still lack access to essential health services, as well as clean water, adequate sanitation, hygiene, and good nutrition.

As part of International Development Week, today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced 14 new projects, representing a contribution of $248.2 million, to make health systems stronger and more resilient to stressors, such as pandemics, conflicts, and climate change. This funding will also support the delivery of quality health services for the most vulnerable, in particular women, adolescent boys and girls, children, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

The 14 projects will be implemented over a period of up to 7 years (2025-2032), by Canadian and multilateral partner organizations, who will work closely with local civil society organizations, community-based organizations, and health service providers, as well as women and youth groups, to help strengthen access to and awareness of life-saving services. These services include health, nutrition, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Canadian and multilateral organizations, working with local partners, are well placed to support local health systems in taking a rights-based, bottom-up approach to help those most in need, including women and children. More than 4 million people in 20 countries are expected to directly benefit from these projects.

Today’s announcement demonstrates that Canada remains committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), founded on the bedrock of primary health care – ensuring that all people have access to a full range of quality health services, when and where they need them, without financial impact.

Canada’s contribution to the WHO’s UHC Partnership and other global and bilateral initiatives helps countries provide high-quality, people-centred health services. Canada also supports to the important work of local Canadian organizations, researchers and health practitioners in order to leverage their expertise and experience in the global health sector and to strengthen health systems.

Canada continues to take action, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.