*EQUINET POLICY BRIEF 20: Meeting the promise: Progress on the Abuja Commitment of 15% government funds to health**
**EQUINET, University of Cape Town Health Economics Unit (UCT), Training And Research Support Centre* *
Cite as:* EQUINET, University of Cape Town Health Economics Unit, Training And Research Support Centre (2008) 'Meeting the promise: Progress on the Abuja Commitment of 15% government funds to health,' EQUINET Policy Brief 20. EQUINET in co-operation with UCT Health Economics Unit and Training and Research Support Centre: Harare.*
Available online at:* *
http://www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/docs/POLBRF20Abuja.pdf<http://www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/docs/DIS65HRchimbari.pdf>
Devoting 15% of domestic public funds to the health sector is necessary - both to address the health and health care needs within east and southern Africa (ESA) and to ensure progress towards building a universal and comprehensive health system. The target of 15% is not unrealistic – it is very much in line with levels of public spending in other countries around the world. Achieving the 15% target demands that public funds not be consumed by debt servicing, so rapid implementation of debt cancellation is critical. The 15% is understood to mean domestic public spending on health, excluding external funding. This policy brief provides information on progress towards meeting the Abuja commitment in east and southern Africa, the obstacles and challenges to address, and the arguments for enhanced effort to prioritising health in national budgets.