Change we can believe in!

Our busy week in Washington DC is coming to an end. With our two launch events now done, adrenaline has been replaced by strong coffee and sugar.

Yesterday we swapped our t-shirts and jeans for smart suits for an event at the World Bank. It was standing room only as a diverse range of speakers tussled with a passionate audience. It was quite an experience to hear so many different views about what role the private sector should have in health care in poor countries.

Carrying on the theme from my last post Dr. Ravi Rannan-Eliya from the Institute of Health Policy began his presentation with a list of quotes from Obama's inauguration speech emphasising the importance of challenging the world around us and believing in change- whether it be in politics or health care. He showed us all with strong evidence that real change in health has only been possible when governments take action and deliver services themselves.

With my head still spinning with all of the in depth discussion from the World Bank, today we went to an event with the People's Health Movement. Here we explored how Oxfam and our allies can keep up the pressure on organisations and donors who promote private sector health care solutions in poor countries. By doing so, we believe, they are pursuing risky policies.

We shared our new video on health care in India that you can watch above. It highlights the striking differences between private health care in the country for those who can afford it and the massively under funded public health care system.

It's incredible that there are more Indian doctors in the UK National Health Service than in the Indian public health care system. For me, this shows that when public health systems are neglected and staff underpaid the resulting 'brain drain' can have huge consequences for people living in poverty.

So with our new report 'Blind Optimism' now launched the work has really just begun - maybe I need another coffee at that thought. But we have successfully provoked debate and Oxfam and its partners will carry on campaigning for health care for all, and the sort of health care that can benefit the poorest and most vulnerable people.

Can we one day get there? Oh, I can't help myself, 'Yes we can!'

Nancy Holden, Oxfam GB Campaigner