Afghanistan Afghan Public Health Institute Strategic Plan - ianphi

STRATEGIC DIRECTION: SUPPORT REGULATION AND STANDARDIZATION OF THEPRIVATE SECTOR TO PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH SERVICESBrief Description/Rationale and Current SituationGenerally favorable statements concerning the role of the private sector have been articulated in theConstitution, ANDS, HNSS 2008‐2013 and underscored in “Building on Early Gains …, 2010” “Healthcareneeds in Afghanistan are immense, and the for‐profit sector has a large potential to contribute. Although only 13of the country’s 359 districts do not have the basic package of health services (BPHS) facilities, potential demandfor health services far exceeds supply by the public sector” (p. 59).There are a number of issues related to the current situation and role of the private sector inAfghanistan that are important to address including:No regulations for the private sectorLimited capacity of the MoPH to improve the quality of private sector services through regulationsand a process of inspection and enforcementPoor quality health services and products sold by some elements of the private sectorA general lack of, or weakly developed institutions within the private‐for‐profit sectorA general lack of trust between the private for‐profit sector and the public sectorLack of data on the private health sectorThe aim of this Strategic Direction is to address these issues and facilitate the strengthening and growthof private sector organizations to provide and/or produce quality health services and products, so thatthe private sector effectively contributes to the realization of MoPH health goals.In response to identified needs, the MoPH has recently developed a National Policy for the PrivateSector and created an Office of Private Sector Coordination (OPSC). The goal of this National Policy is “toincrease the private sector’s contributions to the health of the Afghan population”.Strategic Objective‐1 (SO‐1): To strengthen collaboration and improve communication andunderstanding between Public and Private health sectorsPriority Interventions:Involve the private sector in discussions of public health issues that are relevant to them and invitethem to participate in national health events (e.g. WHO and TB days)Include private sector participants in training programs and study toursDisseminate information to the private sector regarding interventions 1 & 2 aboveMinistry of Public Health Strategic Plan, 2011‐201538