How to spend HIV budgets: Using the Optima modeling tool to improve HIV resource allocation in low and middle income countries

Featuring
David Wilson
Executive Director, Optima

Host
Mead Over
Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development

Global financial resources for health have substantially increased over the period of the MDGs but are now steady or declining. Domestic resources in low- and middle-income countries may not be able to keep up with demand for treatment needs, let alone other prevention services. In this context, there is need to make better use of existing funds (or do more with less), reallocating funds to the most effective mix of programs for a given epidemiological context across the range of disease areas affecting populations. The Optima team applies a practical and sophisticated technical approach to assist national decision-makers, program managers, and funding partners achieve maximum impact with the funding available for the country’s response to disease burdens and plan for sustainability. A global perspective and country case studies will be presented particularly in the area of HIV, along with description of the Optima approach.