Managing aid has become a challenge for healthcare providers and policy makers in poor countries. Their task would be easier if there were better coordination and collaboration between the 100 or so different global health initiatives, delegates were told at a recent conference on global health held on 29 April at the Royal College of Physicians in London.

In a day devoted to discussing challenges in global health, from climate change to the rise in non-communicable disease, several speakers focused on the need for more concerted efforts.

Nick Banatvala, head of global health at the Department of Health, drew attention to the UK government’s new global health strategy, which will be launched later this year.

He emphasised that its evolution has been underpinned by a recognition of the need …