The World Bank and global cooperation in health: the case of Bangladesh.

The final quarter of the 20th century saw a profound change in international health cooperation. The World Bank emerged and consolidated its position as the leading external financier of health-sector activities in countries of low and middle income. As a result of its resources, philosophy, and legitimacy, the World Bank leveraged fundamental reform of the health-sector agenda as well as institutional relations at global and national levels. The scope of the Bank's involvement, and the nature of its policy thrusts and investment strategy in the sector, are outlined in this paper and illustrated with specific reference to Bangladesh. This backdrop serves to raise four issues and enables us to explore their relevance to global health cooperation in the first quarter of the 21st century.