scholarly journals Moving towards Universal Health Coverage through the Development of Integrated Service Delivery Packages for Primary Health Care in the Solomon Islands

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Solomon Islands ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Integrated Service Delivery ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Integrated Service

Towards Integrated Service Delivery for Primary Health Care: Can Programs Meet People's Lives?

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Vivian Lin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health Care Policy ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Integrated Service Delivery ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Integrated Service

The primary health care sector faces a number of challenges. Some of these are in the form of persistent problems which include, inter alia, health disparities in resources and outcomes, a fragmented health system, issues of power with respect to priority setting and resource allocation, and a poor information and evidence base with which to allocate resources and evaluate outcomes. These problems are perennially accompanied by a gap between the rhetoric of policy and the reality of implementation. Neo-liberal reforms present a series of challenges to primary health, with the introduction of unit-cost funding, competitive tendering and increased user pays. Changing epidemiological patterns, the rise of evidence-based medicine, and new information and communication technology all question accepted methods of practice. Eroding community confidence in government and professionals, and the growing polarisation of society are also cause for concern. Three areas for development in primary health care policy and practice may provide the keys for dealing with these challenges. These are, first, the development of integrated service delivery models, which move away from narrowly defined single purpose programs delivered by one provider. Second, the development of innovative policy and managerial tools that support the objectives of primary health care while addressing the concerns of policy makers. Finally, the development of a strategic research and development agenda that effectively links policy, research and practice.

scholarly journals Roles and reimbursement of pharmacists as South Africa transitions towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC): An online survey-based study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257348
Author(s):  
Vivian Naidoo ◽  
Fatima Suleman ◽  
Varsha Bangalee
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Comprehensive Service ◽  
Universal Health

Background The implementation of Universal Health Coverage in SA has sought to focus on promoting affordable health care services that are accessible to all citizens. In this regard, pharmacists are expected to play a pivotal function in the revitalization of primary health care (PHC) during this transition by the expansion of their practice roles. Objectives To assess the readiness and perceptions of pharmacists to expand their roles in an integrated health care system. To determine the availability and pricing of primary health care services currently provided within a community pharmacy environment and to evaluate suitable reimbursement for the provision of such services by a community pharmacist. Methods Community pharmacists’ across SA were invited to participate in an online survey-based study. The survey consisted of both open- and closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics for closed-ended questions were generated and analysed using Microsoft Excel® and Survey Monkey®. Responses for the open-ended questions were transcribed, analysed, and reported as emerging themes. Results Six hundred and sixty-four pharmacists’ responded to the online survey. Seventy-five percent of pharmacists’ reported that with appropriate training, a transition into a more patient-centered role might be beneficial in the re-engineering of the PHC system. However, in order to adopt these new roles, appropriate reimbursement structures are required. The current fee levied by pharmacists in community pharmacies that offered these PHC services was found to be lower to that recommended by the South African Pharmacy Council; this disparity is primarily due to a lack of information and policy standardisation. Therefore, in order to ensure that fees levied are fair, comprehensive service package guidelines are required. Conclusions This study provides baseline data for policy makers on pharmacists’ readiness to transition into expanded roles. Furthermore, it can be used as a foundation to establish appropriate reimbursement frameworks for pharmacists providing PHC services.

scholarly journals From primary health care to universal health coverage—one step forward and two steps back

The Lancet ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 394 (10199) ◽  
pp. 619-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sanders ◽  
Sulakshana Nandi ◽  
Ronald Labonté ◽  
Carina Vance ◽  
Wim Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
One Step ◽  
Universal Health
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document