| Theme area | Health equity in economic and trade policies; Public-private mix; Resource allocation and health financing |
| Author | Doherty J |
| Title of publication | Policy Brief 26: Expansion of the private for-profit health sector in East and Southern Africa |
| Date of publication | 2011 November |
| Publication type | Document |
| Publication details | EQUINET, with UCT HEU and TARSC Policy brief 26, EQUINET, Harare - |
| Publication status | Published |
| Language | English |
| Keywords | private for profit health sector; health financing; east and souuthern Africa |
| Abstract | In recent years there has been increased private for-profit health sector activity in certain countries in East and Southern Africa. External funders and governments have subsidised some of these activities. Private ‘high-end’ hospitals have begun to service wealthy groups, even in very low income countries. A report published in 2007 by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) encouraged governments to facilitate further private sector growth. This policy brief explores these developments in East and Southern Africa. In contrast to the IFC report, it raises concerns about the adverse consequences of growth in the private for-profit sector, and proposes steps that Ministries of Health should take to protect the integrity and equity of their health systems. |
| Country | East and southern Africa region |
| Publisher | EQUINET |
| Url | Pol26 brief privatefin.pdf |
| Equinet Publication Type | Policy brief |