Given the broad notion of ‘civil society’ “to include not just NGOs and faith-based organisations, but also community groups, patient associations, and professional associations (and more)” [1], the need for greater participation of civil society in health decision-making processes in various jurisdictions that benefits the process and outcomes of policy choices about UHC; does not need to be over-emphasised.
Other than holding governments at different levels to account for their ‘stewardship” [2] role of the health system, there is a sense that there have been ongoing civil society engagements in several Low- and Middle-Income Counties (LMICs) that tend to: (a) improve access by the poor to quality preventive and curative services including affordable drugs; (b) increase the demand for well-managed, accountable, high quality primary health care services; and (c) enhance the capacity of citizens to prevent and manage priority health conditions themselves.
While not obvious in many instances, civil society involvement in LIMCs appeared to have taken approaches, which ensure that related health policies and strategies aimed at achieving these outcomes are informed and modified by participatory planning and performance feedback mechanisms.
This discussion on civil society evidence and health policy should provide opportunity to systematically identify and outline methods employed by civil society groups and organisations, including lessons learnt in health sector and/or health policy reforms, for wider dissemination and application.
[1] https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/support-systems-8-q1-what-does-civil-so...
[2] “the tasks of defining the vision and direction of health policyy, exerting influence through regulation and advocacy, and collecting and using information”. WHO (2000) World Health Report 2000: Health Systems - Improving Performance. Geneva: World Health Organisation
Best, Tarry
HIFA profile: Tarry Asoka is a consultant in health and development based in Nigeria. Besides assisting clients to meet their corporate objectives, Tarry is keen on searching for and implementing innovative solutions that address critical challenges that confront the world in health and development. He has experience with civil society participation in health policy processes in Anglophone West Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia). In Nigeria, he has provided mentoring support and help to channel resources to the lead CSO (Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria – HERFON) both as UK DFID (now FCDO) Health Adviser over a 5-year period and later as an Independent Consultant.
He is a member of the HIFA working group on SUPPORT-SYSTEMS - How can decision-making processes for health systems strengthening and universal health coverage be made more inclusive, responsive and accountable?
https://www.hifa.org/projects/new-support-systems-how-can-decision-makin...
https://www.hifa.org/support/members/tarry
tarry AT carenet.info
