Recommendation 7

The FCDO’s approach papers on ending preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children by 2030 (EPD) and health systems strengthening (HSS) show a positive step in the right direction. However, in the absence of key targets for progress or regular updates, it has proved difficult to assess the effectiveness of the UK’s work in this area. The Committee welcomes the FCDO’s commitment to publish a future progress report on its EPD and HSS work in 2024, and to provide future updates on this work. However, more frequent updates on the FCDO’s work on EPD and HSS are needed in order to map the progress towards SDG commitments by 2030. The FCDO should publish key targets and achievements on an annual basis for its approach papers on Ending Preventable Deaths and Strengthening Health Systems.