Sector

IFC's Work in Health

Our investments and advisory services foster best practices in healthcare and life sciences, promote the deployment of innovative technologies, and advance quality care. IFC also participates in several public-private partnerships in healthcare.

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In a world where health disparities are a major concern, the private sector can play a crucial role in bridging the gap in global healthcare delivery. IFC has been supporting the health sectors of developing countries for over 25 years through investments and advisory programs. The aim is to strengthen the private sector’s ability to help countries meet challenges facing global health. These challenges include addressing the demand-supply gap, worsened by underinvestment, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, and the increased risks posed by pandemics and climate change.

IFC's Impact since 1999:

  • 30 M +
    Patients reached
  • 100 +
    Countries' companies supported
  • 180
    Facilities trained to improve quality

At a Glance

IFC has invested close to $9 billion in private health, to strengthen the private sector’s contribution to affordable quality health services in developing countries. Current active portfolio: Over $4 billion.

IFC Focuses On

Strengthening Health Systems: IFC is committed to bolstering local and regional health systems through targeted investments, the establishment of new partnerships, and provision of advisory services aimed at enhancing care quality.

Universal Health Coverage: In alignment with the World Bank Group’s strategy, IFC supports efforts towards achieving universal health coverage, emphasizing the importance of strong primary health systems and accessible, affordable health services for all.

Advisory Programs: IFC has developed comprehensive advisory programs to enhance quality, ethical standards, productivity, and environmental and social standards in the private health sector, including aspects of climate resilience, governance, and gender equality. 

Environmental Sustainability: A key focus is on reducing the environmental impact of medical supply manufacturing, aligning with broader sustainability goals and promoting greener healthcare solutions.

Promoting Digitalization: IFC emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in health systems to increase efficiency, improve care delivery, and extend the impact of health services.

Focus Areas

Health services

Across the developing world, poor quality healthcare is estimated to cause more preventable deaths every year than insufficient access to treatment. IFC focuses on improving quality of care in low- and middle-income countries.

Life Sciences

IFC is empowering developing countries to enhance healthcare infrastructure and achieve universal health coverage. One of our focuses on investing in the private sector includes fostering access to life sciences.
 

Medical Devices

IFC works to improve access to medical devices and promote clinical benefits in developing countries through market creation. Medical device manufacturing requires long gestation periods for product development and regulatory approval. 

Health and Climate

Climate change poses a significant threat to global health and could reverse decades of progress in sustainable development. It alters patterns of diseases, magnifies the scale and frequency of extreme weather events, and worsens air and water quality.
 

Health and Gender

Addressing women's health needs is not only a matter of equality, but also a sound investment in the health and well-being of entire societies. Meeting these needs enables women to fully participate in society, pursue education and careers, and contribute to their communities.

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