Government presents new support package for global health
Published
The Government has presented a new support package for global health totalling SEK 72 million for 2026. The support includes SEK 50 million in core support to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for work with vaccines in low-income countries, and SEK 2 million to the Partnership for International Politics and Diplomacy for Health, a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and the Stockholm School of Economics. The Government is also giving SEK 20 million in support for donations of medical technical equipment and medical supplies.
Through the funding to the IVI, Sweden will contribute to the development and distribution of life-saving vaccines where the needs are greatest. The SEK 50 million in core support is a strategic investment in the development of safe, effective and affordable vaccines, which are particularly important for low- and middle-income countries.
“Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways of preventing disease and premature deaths. The IVI contributes – often alongside Swedish actors – to ensuring that life-saving vaccines benefit low-and middle-income countries. Through a collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, the IVI has developed a more accessible and scalable oral vaccine against cholera,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
“In a time of global uncertainty, it’s important that Sweden contributes where it will really make a difference. Through targeted and cost-effective initiatives, we are boosting access to life-saving vaccines and medical equipment in vulnerable regions where the needs are greatest,” says Aron Emilsson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.
“In the current international situation, the Government sees a need for greater scope to donate equipment and supplies to areas abroad that are affected by disasters and war. Sweden must be able to contribute equipment for people in immediate need while continuing to strengthen our own preparedness,” says Minister for Health Care Elisabet Lann.
“Giving more people access to modern medical equipment and vaccines will literally save lives and reduce child mortality. Sweden’s contributions will make a difference where the needs are greatest,” says Lina Nordquist, health care policy spokesperson for the Liberal Party.
Sweden receives requests for support to areas abroad that are affected by disasters or war, such as Ukraine and Egypt (due to the humanitarian situation in Gaza), channelled through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism or the NATO Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC). As part of Sweden’s preparedness, both the National Board of Health and Welfare and the regions hold certain stockpiles of equipment that can be used for health care and special purposes in the event of war or crisis. The Government is now bolstering this assignment by increasing the amount for 2026 by SEK 10 million to a total of SEK 20 million.
Where the support goes
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an international organisation with a not-for-profit mission to discover, develop and deliver safe, effective and affordable vaccines. Together with its member states and international partners, the IVI works to strengthen vaccine equity globally. Sweden has been involved in the IVI since the organisation was founded. Sweden has provided core support to the IVI via Sida since 2002. This long-standing cooperation, along with Sweden’s first-class research environments, leading life science companies and engagement in global health, led to Stockholm being chosen as the location for the IVI’s first regional office outside its headquarters in South Korea.
The Partnership for International Politics and Diplomacy for Health is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and the Stockholm School of Economics, partly financed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Its work consists of four complementary and mutually reinforcing streams: an executive programme for future health leaders, the Health Diplomacy Institutional Network, targeted research initiatives and policy engagements. Its policy work aims to contribute to the international dialogue on what a reformed international ecosystem for global health could look like, by both producing and communicating ideas that could pave the way to that end.
The National Board of Health and Welfare has been tasked with assessing the possibility of donating medical technical equipment, medical supplies, etc. to areas abroad that are affected by disasters and war (S2024/00130). Within the framework of this assignment, once domestic needs have been met, the National Board of Health and Welfare may as soon as possible donate medical technical equipment, medical supplies or other equipment that may be needed to provide care. The National Board of Health and Welfare is to investigate the possibilities for Sweden’s regions to spare medical technical equipment, medical supplies or other equipment based on the requests channelled through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism or the NATO EADRCC.
Funding for this support comes from 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
