An expansion of private healthcare in developing countries is “extremely unlikely” to enhance the health of poor people, Oxfam says in a new report.
Debate continues among NGOs and the donor community over the best way to finance healthcare to ensure access for the poorest.
Oxfam says many donors are encouraging an expansion of private medical care. But this approach involves “serious failings … which make it a very risky and costly path to take”, states the report.
Government-provided healthcare is weak in many countries, but it is more effective to improve public health than to turn to private care, the report states. Evidence shows that making the public health sector work “is the only proven route to achieving universal and equitable healthcare”.
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Debate continues among NGOs and the donor community over the best way to finance healthcare to ensure access for the poorest.
Oxfam says many donors are encouraging an expansion of private medical care. But this approach involves “serious failings … which make it a very risky and costly path to take”, states the report.
Government-provided healthcare is weak in many countries, but it is more effective to improve public health than to turn to private care, the report states. Evidence shows that making the public health sector work “is the only proven route to achieving universal and equitable healthcare”.
np/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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