scholarly journals Global Fund Financing and Human Resources for Health Investments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyemi Okunogbe ◽  
Diana Bowser ◽  
Gulin Gedik ◽  
Saha Naseri ◽  
Ayat Abu-Agla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Global Fund ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Costs ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Abstract Background: Despite the large investments in donor-related health activities in areas of the globe prone to tension and conflict, few studies have examined in detail the role of these donor investments in human resources for health (HRH). Methods: We used a mixed-methods research methodology comprising both quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the Enhanced Financial Reporting System of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria budget and expenditure data from 2003-2017 for 13 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We analysed additional detailed budgetary data over the period 2013-2017 for a sub-set of these countries. Two country-case studies were conducted in Afghanistan and Sudan for a more in-depth understanding of the HRH-related activities that occurred as a result of Global Fund grants. Results: The results show that US$2.2 billion Global Fund dollars had been budgeted and US$1.6 billion were expended over the period 2003-2017 in 13 Eastern Mediterranean countries. The average expenditures for human resources for health (training and human resources) as a percentage of total expenditure is 28%. Additional detailed budgetary data analysis shows a more conservative investment in HRH with 13% of total budgets allocated to “direct” HRH activities such as salaries, training costs, and technical assistance. HRH-related activities supported by the Global Fund in Afghanistan and Sudan were similar, including pre-service and in-services training, hiring of program coordinators and staff, and top-ups for clinical staff. Conclusions: HRH remains a key issue in strengthening the health systems of low- and middle-income countries. While this study suggests that Global Fund’s HRH investments in the EMR are not lagging behind the global average, there appears to be a need to further scale up these investments considering this region’s unique HRH challenges.

scholarly journals Global Fund Financing and Human Resources for Health Investments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyemi Okunogbe ◽  
Diana Bowser ◽  
Gulin Gedik ◽  
Saha Naseri ◽  
Ayat Abu-Agla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Global Fund ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Costs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Despite the large investments in donor-related health activities in areas of the globe prone to tension and conflict, few studies have examined in detail the impact of these donor investments on human resources for health (HRH). Methods: We used a mixed-methods research methodology comprising both quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the Enhanced Financial Reporting System of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria budget and expenditure data from 2003-2017 for 13 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We analysed additional detailed budgetary data over the period 2013-2017 for a sub-set of these countries. Two country-case studies were conducted in Afghanistan and Sudan for a more in-depth understanding of the HRH-related activities that occurred as a result of Global Fund grants. Results: The results show that US$2.2 billion Global Fund dollars had been budgeted and US$1.6 billion were expended over the period 2003-2017 in the 13 Eastern Mediterranean countries. The average expenditures for human resources for health (training and human resources) as a percentage of total expenditure is 28%. Additional detailed budgetary data analysis shows a more conservative investment in HRH with 13% of total budgets allocated to “direct” HRH activities such as salaries, training costs, and technical assistance. HRH-related activities supported by the Global Fund in Afghanistan and Sudan are similar, including pre-service and in-services training, hiring of program coordinators and staff, and top-ups for clinical staff. Conclusions: HRH remains a key issue in strengthening the health systems of low- and middle-income countries. While this study suggests that Global Fund’s HRH investments in the EMR are not lagging behind the global average, there appears to be a need to further scale up these investments considering this region’s unique HRH challenges.

scholarly journals Own-price and cross-price elasticities of demand for cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco in three Eastern Mediterranean countries: a volumetric choice experiment

2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056616
Author(s):  
Ali Chalak ◽  
Rima Nakkash ◽  
Niveen M E Abu-Rmeileh ◽  
Yousef S Khader ◽  
Mohammed Jawad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Demand Elasticity ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Price Elasticities ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

BackgroundWaterpipe tobacco smoking rates in the Eastern Mediterranean region are among the highest worldwide, yet little evidence exists on its economics. Estimates of demand elasticities for tobacco products are largely limited to cigarettes. This study aimed to estimate own-price and cross-price elasticities of demand for cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco products in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine.MethodsA volumetric choice experiment was conducted using nationally representative household surveys. The choice experiment elicited respondents’ stated purchases of eight cigarette and waterpipe tobacco product varieties by hypothetically varying prices. Data were analysed using zero-inflated Poisson models that yielded demand elasticity estimates of cigarette and waterpipe tobacco consumption.ResultsThe study included 1680 participants in Lebanon (50% female), 1925 in Jordan (44.6% female) and 1679 in Palestine (50% female). We found the demand for premium cigarettes to be price elastic (range, −1.0 to −1.2) across all three countries, whereas the demand for discount cigarettes was less elastic than premium cigarettes in Lebanon (−0.6) and Jordan (−0.7) and more elastic in Palestine (−1.2). The demand for premium waterpipe tobacco was highly elastic in Lebanon (−1.9), moderately elastic in Jordan (−0.6) and inelastic in Palestine (0.2). The cross-price elasticity between cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco was near zero, suggesting that the two products are not considered to be close substitutes by consumers.ConclusionsThese results serve as a strong evidence base for developing and implementing fiscal policies for tobacco control in the Eastern Mediterranean region that address cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco products.

scholarly journals Hospital Efficiency in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Ravaghi ◽  
Mahnaz Afshari ◽  
parvaneh Isfahani ◽  
Alireza Mahboubahari ◽  
Victoria D Belorgeot
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Analysis ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Hospital Efficiency ◽  
Frontier Analysis ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Abstract Background: Recent rising costs and shortages of healthcare resources make it necessary to address the issue of hospital efficiency. Increasing the efficiency of hospitals can result in better and sustainable achievement of their organizational goals.The purpose of the present research is to examine hospital efficiency in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).Methods: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of all articles published on hospital efficiency in Eastern Mediterranean countries between January 1999 and May 2018, identified by searching three databases (PubMed through MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase) and two search engines (Google and Google Scholar). The reference lists of these articles were checked for additional relevant studies. Fifty articles were finally selected, and data was analyzed through the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (v.2.2.064). Results: Using the random-effects model, the mean hospital efficiency in Eastern Mediterranean hospitals was 0.829 ± 0.026 at 95% CI. Three approaches were used to measure hospital efficiency: data envelope analysis (DEA), stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), and Pabón Lasso Analysis. Different mean and standard deviation values were obtained from DEA (0.428±0.024), DEA and Pabón Lasso Analysis (0.925±0.029), Pabón Lasso Analysis (0.790±0.086) and SFA (0.594±0.056), due to the different inputs and outputs used in these methods. Technical efficiency (TE) was higher in some countries such as Iraq (0.976±0.035), Oman (0.926 ± 0.032), Jordan (0.924±0.060) and Saudi Arabia (0.917±0.023). Conclusion: Efficiency plays a significant role in hospital growth and development. It is therefore important for healthcare managers and policymakers in the EMR to identify the causes of inefficiency, to improve TE and develop cost-effective strategies.

scholarly journals Implementation of WHO Recommended Policies and Interventions on Healthy Diet in the Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region: From Policy to Action

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3700
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Asmus Hammerich ◽  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Kaia Engesveen ◽  
Krista Lang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Salt Reduction ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Concrete Action

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for almost two-thirds of the deaths in the 22 countries and territories of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and unhealthy diets are a major contributor. Prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased among adults, adolescents and older children in recent decades. Among countries with the highest prevalence there are signs that the increase is slowing down or even that prevalence is declining. There has been no increase in the prevalence rate in younger children, although the absolute number of children under five years affected by overweight has increased. This review summarizes prevalence data and examines current implementation of regulatory, fiscal and voluntary measures to promote healthy diet across the Region. The last decade has seen a step up in such action. Ten of the Region’s countries have policies relating to trans-fatty acids and they are increasingly implementing specific regulatory measures. Thirteen countries had fully or partially implemented national salt reduction policies by 2019. Only four countries had adopted policies relating to aspects of marketing food to children by 2019, and concrete action in this area is still lacking. Eight countries have introduced taxes—sometimes at a rate of 50%—on carbonated or sugar-sweetened beverages. In order to meet the agreed global and regional goals relating to nutrition and diet-related NCDs, countries will need to build on this progress and scale up action across the Region while intensifying efforts in areas where concrete action is lacking.

National cancer control plans across the Eastern Mediterranean region: challenges and opportunities to scale-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e517-e529
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Fadhil ◽  
Eman Alkhalawi ◽  
Rihab Nasr ◽  
Heba Fouad ◽  
Partha Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities
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