Asked by: Ruth George (Labour - High Peak)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what discussions the UK has had with other GAVI Alliance on extending the Advanced Market Commitment pilot beyond the current end date of December 2020.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Advanced Market Commitment for Pneumococcal Vaccines (AMC) has been enormously successful and has achieved its targets three years ahead of schedule. Its innovative approach has enabled 114 million children to be immunised across 57 countries and prevented 762,000 deaths from severe pneumonia. It is a tremendous example of the impact UK Aid has in delivering results.
The UK works closely with the Gavi Alliance and other AMC donors to ensure that our contribution to the AMC achieves the maximum impact and value for money. We have engaged in extensive discussions regarding the potential extension of Advanced Market Commitment pilot beyond the current end date of December 2020. However, given that the AMC has achieved all of its targets 3 years ahead of schedule, there is limited evidence an extension will deliver significant further benefits. The UK has pushed the AMC to develop and communicate a strategic use for any residual funds during the remaining life of the AMC and will continue to work with the Gavi Secretariat and donors to ensure the best use of these.
Asked by: Ruth George (Labour - High Peak)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support governments in developing countries to build universal health coverage.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK supports countries to build the strong and resilient health systems needed to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). DFID provides technical assistance and financial support directly to countries, promotes the technical leadership of the World Health Organisation, and funds research and new products that increase access and reduce prices for essential quality medicines and other commodities. Through health partnerships, we share UK experience and expertise in providing UHC through the NHS.
Asked by: Ruth George (Labour - High Peak)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Medevac evacuations have taken place from St Helena in each of the last five years.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave to her earlier PQ 135170.
Asked by: Ruth George (Labour - High Peak)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the cost of Medevac evacuations from St Helena was in each of the last 5 years.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
Flights are activated for lifesaving medical emergencies only, but the St Helena Government’s (SHG) Health Directorate will where possible send other urgent medical referrals on the same flight to maximise value for money. In 2016/17, there were 5 medical evacuation flights (transporting 9 patients) at a cost to the SHG of £203,160. In 2017/18, there were 8 medical evacuation flights (transporting 13 patients) costing £406,820.
Urgent lifesaving medical evacuations were not possible until the airport opened in St Helena. The first medical evacuation flight was on 3 June 2016. Before then, the island relied primarily on the Royal Mail Ship St Helena to get patients off the island for medical treatment. There are, therefore, no comparable medevac figures pre-2016.
Asked by: Ruth George (Labour - High Peak)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what the cost of Medevac evacuations from St Helena was in each of the last 5 years.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
Flights are activated for lifesaving medical emergencies only, but the St Helena Government’s (SHG) Health Directorate will where possible send other urgent medical referrals on the same flight to maximise value for money. In 2016/17, there were 5 medical evacuation flights (transporting 9 patients) at a cost to the SHG of £203,160. In 2017/18, there were 8 medical evacuation flights (transporting 13 patients) costing £406,820.
Urgent lifesaving medical evacuations were not possible until the airport opened in St Helena. The first medical evacuation flight was on 3 June 2016. Before then, the island relied primarily on the Royal Mail Ship St Helena to get patients off the island for medical treatment. There are, therefore, no comparable medevac figures pre-2016.