The Role of Private Sector in Health Care: Past Experiences, Current Situations, and Future Opportunities
Posted: 17 Jun 2007
Date Written: June 14, 2007
Abstract
The private sector in health care is growing in most low- and middle-income countries. Private providers now deliver more out-patient services than public in many of these countries. Global health achievements require the collaboration of the private sector. Governments must learn how to address new health systems issues arising out of this fact. Public-private partnerships are of increasing importance. An international conference on the role of the private sector in health system development, held in Jinan, China in September 2006, provided further evidence of the significant role that the private sector plays in low- and middle-income countries (see www.psp.ki.se for full report). Participants called for the establishment of a network of scholars and policy makers interested in issues related to the role of the private sector in health care delivery and public health. At iHEA the rationale for creating such a network as a platform for the exchange of policy-oriented evidence and research findings will be discussed further. Presentations in this session will illustrate how research can inform policy development.
The presentations will address: 1. Recent findings from a collaborative research programme, Private Sector Programme in Health (PSP) and their policy implications. The programme involves a number of institutions in low- and middle-income countries and is coordinated by IHCAR; The Karolinska Institute and IHSP, Harvard School of Public Health. 2. Developments of policies on the role of the private sector in health care in China. 3. Private health care and experience from collaboration between the public and private sectors in India. 4. Public Policy and Franchising Reproductive Health Services: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Keywords: private sector, developing countries, health systems
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