Collaboration between ICEH and GFF with the Countdown to 2030 is key to bringing equity evidence to decision-makers in developing countries

The International Center for Equity in Health (ICEH/UFPel) welcomed last week Dr. Jennifer Requejo, Senior Global Health Specialist and former UNICEF staff member, who now holds a leadership role at the Global Financing Facility (GFF), a multilateral health financing initiative hosted by the World Bank. The visit marked a strategic step in strengthening ICEH’s collaboration with the GFF, utilising equity-focused data to enhance health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents worldwide.

In a lecture to ICEH researchers and students, Requejo outlined the GFF’s country-centered approach. “The goal is to bring local and global partners together around each nation’s health priorities,” she explained. The main instrument is the Investment Case—a costed strategic plan guiding resource allocation for maximum impact.

At this point, ICEH’s expertise becomes essential. Through its long-standing partnership with the Countdown to 2030 initiative, the Center proposes innovative technical analyses and produces equity profiles that inform the development and review of Investment Cases. “The evidence generated by the Center through Countdown is meant to be discussed in national dialogue platforms. It is one of the fundamental ways your work feeds into decision-making at country level,” Requejo highlighted.

She also pointed out that, although global in scope, the GFF’s operations are deeply rooted in each partner country’s context—currently 36 countries, accounting for about 91% of maternal deaths and 87% of child deaths worldwide. The institution’s dual focus is to improve the survival of women, children, and adolescents, while also strengthening health financing and management systems to ensure resources are used more efficiently and effectively.

Looking ahead

The visit also served as an opportunity to align priorities for the future. The GFF is currently developing its new strategy for 2026–2030. Within this process, the partnership with Countdown—and therefore with ICEH—is seen as a cornerstone of the data-use agenda. While the Center specializes in advanced technical analysis and scientific production, the GFF ensures that this evidence is disseminated, understood and used to guide policy reforms and concrete investments in supported countries.