scholarly journals Making Universal Health Coverage Effective in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Blueprint for Health Sector Reforms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter O. Otieno ◽  
Gershim Asiki
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Sector Reforms ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Healthcare Financing in Low and Middle-Income Countries and Achieving Universal Health Coverage

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-94
Author(s):  
Amadou Baubacar ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
System Approach ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Financing ◽  
Sovereign Wealth Funds ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Using a comparative healthcare system approach, this paper discusses the existing healthcare financing methods in low-and middle-income countries in the move towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The article finds that traditional channels of financing the health sector in these countries include government’s budget, donors’ aid, national health insurance, and out-of-pocket model. Moreover, the paper explores other alternative mechanisms for raising resources for the health sector including tax on demerit goods, remittances, and sovereign wealth funds’ revenues. This paper is of particular interest to policymakers in low-and middle-income countries targeting to achieve UHC.

scholarly journals STRENGTHENING DISTRICT HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN LOW-MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES: REFLECTIONS AND WAY FORWARD

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Maye Abu Omar
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
District Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Sector Reforms ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Universal Health

Introduction: Health systems in low-middle income countries are undergoing considerable changes in a context of ongoing health sector reforms. Districts have, therefore, been increasingly recognised as the level where health policies and health sector reforms are interpreted and implemented. At the same time, decentralisation in its different forms has become a popular reform in many countries, and this increases the importance of ensuring that districts have the organisational capacity to offer a good service.Aim: The article investigates the process, challenges and opportunities of health system development at district level in low-middle income countries.Discussion: While district strengthening is probably necessary in relation to the success of all other health reforms, it is argued that it has not been accorded the importance probably because it is not seen as glamorous. The district health management team must include both strengthening the capacity of individuals, but crucially also, improvement of systems. Many initiatives have been patchy and fail to provide a consistent national approach. The persistence of top-down approaches to health care works directly against districts being able to take charge of their own affairs.Conclusions: A shared vision of district strengthening must be achieved in order to progress with the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals. Keywords: district health strengthening, capacity building, low-middle income countries, universal health coverage.

scholarly journals National Pharmacy Associations in the Commonwealth -current scenario and future needs to maximise effective contributions of the pharmacy profession towards Universal health coverage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayesha Iqbal ◽  
Victoria Rutter ◽  
Gizem Gülpınar ◽  
Manjula Halai ◽  
Briella Awele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Pharmacy Education ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Priority Areas ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Pharmacy Profession ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background: The Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) is a charity representing pharmacists across the Commonwealth, with the vision of empowering and collaboratively develop the profession and fully utilise the potential of pharmacists to strengthen health systems through supporting better access to, quality and use of medicines and related services. Commonwealth comprises predominantly of low and middle-income countries where limited data often exists in pharmacy practice. There is a recognised need across the Commonwealth to focus on developing, implementing and fully utilising pharmacy professional services to progress universal health coverage and achieve the sustainable development goals, particularly in low and middle-income countries; however, currently a knowledge gap exists in understanding the national priorities in Commonwealth nations. CPA is ideally positioned to access to these nations. The aim of this study was thus to explore the priorities and focus areas of NPAs across the Commonwealth and create evidence for a needs-based approach to inform the support that the Commonwealth pharmacists association can collaboratively and strategically provide to its members to progress towards shared goals.Methods: Data was collected virtually on Zoom by conducting interviews using a semi-structured interview guide developed for this study with CPA councillors representing NPAs or their equivalents if no official body existed. An inductive, reflexive, thematic analysis was performed for data analysis. Results: In total, 30 councillors were interviewed from 30 low- and medium-income countries. The three main overarching priority areas identified across respective Commonwealth nations developing extended pharmacy services, improving pharmacy education, and developing and redefining the role of NPAs.Conclusions: This novel study highlights the collective priorities for the pharmacy profession across the low and middle-income countries of the Commonwealth and the urgent need for supporting NPAs around the three identified overarching priority areas. The mapped-out priorities will inform an evidence-based approach for the CPA to better support NPAs in their mission through advocacy and practitioner development, to fully harness pharmacists’ unique skill set and maximise their contribution to progressing universal health coverage.

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