HRH Global Resource Center - Decentralization

The Effects of Decentralization on Family Planning

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 16:05:10 +0000

Decentralization of family planning is a critical concern for policymakers as international family planning commitments and the expansion of decentralization reforms become more common. Building on the latest research, this paper presents a family planning and decentralization analytical framework that was developed by the USAID-funded Health Policy Project to help key stakeholders better understand family planning decentralization processes, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and guide decentralization reforms. [from abstract]

Health Service from Catchment Area Perspective: An Analysis of System

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:15:59 +0000

Indonesia is one of the countries in the world which has a decentralized model of government. The decentralization in the form of regional autonomy aims to improve the public welfare through public services. The services, especially the health service depends much on the wide area and also the geographical condition of the regional. Thus, it is necessary to do an analysis of systems towards the health service from the catchment area perspectives to solve the present and future problems. [adapted from abstract]

Information is Power: Experimental Evidence on the Long-Run Impact of Community Based Monitoring

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:29:31 +0000

This paper presents the results of two field experiments on local accountability in primary health care in Uganda. Efforts to stimulate beneficiary control, coupled with the provision of report cards on staff performance, resulted in significant improvements in health care delivery and health outcomes in both the short and the longer run. Efforts to stimulate beneficiary control without providing information on performance had no impact on quality of care or health outcomes.

Innovation in Regulation of Rapidly Changing Health Markets

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:01:02 +0000

This paper explores the key issues associated with regulation of health markets in LMICs, and the different goals of regulation, namely quality and safety of care, value for money, social agreement over fair access and financing, and accountability. Licensing, price controls, and other traditional approaches to the regulation of markets for health products and services have played an important role, but they have been of questionable effectiveness in ensuring safety and efficacy at the point of the user in LMICs. [from abstract]

From Policy to Action: Implementing the Kenyan Community Strategy

Wed, 28 May 2014 16:50:45 +0000

This technical highlight provides a brief overview of Pathfinder’s experience implementing the Kenyan Community Strategy through the USAID-funded APHIAplus (AIDS, Population, and Health Integrated Assistance Plus) Nairobi-Coast project (2011-2014). [from abstract]

The Last Word: Collaborating for Healthcare Improvement

Thu, 15 May 2014 18:13:48 +0000

Reflecting on service delivery in northern, rural or remote Canada, Dr. Roger Strasser (Dean of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine) and Erin Leith (Director, Collaboration for Innovation and Improvement, Canadian Foundation of Healthcare Improvement) discuss the significant momentum generated by the Canadian Recruit and Retain Conference and the influence and impact this will have on healthcare in these often under-served regions. [from introduction]

Fragmented Governance and Local Service Delivery in Malawi

Mon, 12 May 2014 14:03:22 +0000

This study helps government and donors to understand how local government and service delivery work and to assess whether the return of local councils is likely to improve their functioning. [from introduction]

Accelerating Progress On Maternal Health In Africa: Lessons From Emerging Policy And Institutional Innovations

Tue, 06 May 2014 12:48:50 +0000

This paper examines three groups of innovative ideas have been institutionalized in African countries to improve maternal health: policy, institutional and experimental innovations. [adapted from abstract]

Localization of Health Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Response to Long-Term Increases in Energy Prices

Wed, 30 Apr 2014 17:52:40 +0000

External challenges to health systems have received little attention in recent years, including the increase of prices for petroleum-based products. Health systems are significant consumers of fossil fuels in the form of petroleum-based medical supplies; transportation of goods, personnel and patients; and fuel for lighting, heating, cooling and medical equipment. Long-term increases in petroleum prices in the global market will have potentially devastating effects on health sectors who already struggle to deliver services to remote parts of their catchment areas. [adapted from abstract]

Challenges to the Implementation of Health Sector Decentralization in Tanzania: Experiences from Kongwa District Council

Thu, 29 Aug 2013 18:15:13 +0000

This article examines and documents the experiences facing the implementation of decentralization of health services from the perspective of national and district officials, including inadequate funding, untimely disbursement of funds from the central government, insufficient and unqualified personnel, lack of community participation in planning and political interference. [adapted from author]