Government invests SEK 250 million in global health
Published
The Government has adopted a new support package for global health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), totalling SEK 250 million for 2026. The health package consolidates Sweden’s commitment to improving the health of the most vulnerable through vaccines in low- and middle-income countries and increased access to maternal and newborn care where the needs are greatest.
The support package includes SEK 120 million in core support to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) for its work with vaccines in low-income countries, SEK 70 million in core support to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and SEK 60 million to the United Nations Population Fund’s work with maternal and newborn care within the framework of the Midwifery Accelerator.
“Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent disease and premature deaths. Gavi helps to ensure that children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, benefit from life-saving vaccines. There is a huge global deficit in midwives, who are a key professional group in strengthening maternal and newborn care. Support for midwives is a cost-effective investment that helps to save lives and promote health, and contributes to economic and social development,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
“Health needs are enormous, especially for women and children in the most vulnerable parts of the world. Through increased investment in vaccines, maternal health and stronger health care systems, millions of lives can be saved while contributing to long-term development. Sweden’s support will contribute to more children being vaccinated, more women receiving safe health care and more societies being able to grow stronger,” says Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.
The SEK 120 million investment in Gavi means that Sweden is increasing its core support to a total of SEK 452.5 million for 2026, thereby contributing to the development and distribution of life-saving vaccines to the most vulnerable. This is a strategic investment in the development of safe, effective and affordable vaccines, especially important to low- and middle-income countries.
The additional SEK 70 million support to the Global Fund means that Sweden is increasing its core support to a total of SEK 753 million for 2026. The Global Fund is the largest funder of global health and has helped to save more than 70 million lives since it was established, reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 63 per cent, and strengthen health and medical care systems.
In addition, the Government has decided to earmark SEK 60 million for the UNFPA’s work within the framework of the Midwifery Accelerator. The support will help to increase access to maternal and newborn care where the needs are greatest. Thus, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ total support to the UNFPA amounts to SEK 611.5 million.
More about Gavi, the Global Fund and the UNFPA
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) is an international initiative that works to increase access to life-saving vaccines in the world’s poorest countries. The organisation was established in 2000 and brings together governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank and pharmaceutical companies. Gavi’s goal is to protect children against serious illnesses such as measles, polio and pneumonia. By financing vaccines, strengthening health care systems and reducing the cost of vaccines, the alliance has helped to save millions of lives.
The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria is an international organisation working to combat three of the world’s most serious diseases. It was established in 2002 and works with governments, civil society and the private sector. It provides financial support to projects in low- and middle-income countries to improve prevention work, treatment and care. It helps to strengthen health care systems and reach vulnerable groups. Through its work, the Global Fund has helped to save millions of lives and reduce the spread of these diseases globally.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was founded in 1969 and works with sexual and reproductive health and rights in over 150 countries. The UNFPA works to increase access to safe and life-saving maternal, obstetric and newborn care. The Midwifery Accelerator initiative is a coalition of the UNFPA, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) and Jhpiego, to increase investment in maternal and newborn care with a specific emphasis on the training and employment of midwives.
The support package is financed through the development assistance budget.
Press contact
Press Assistant to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile +46 76 148 24 23
email to Benjamin Juhlin
Press Assistant to to Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health
Phone (switchboard) +46 8 405 10 00
Mobile 076-148 16 80
email to Elin Freiman
