The policy cycle for health financing actions and reforms towards universal coverage
Sound health financing policy planning, implementation, management, and analysis requires a good knowledge of health financing issues, contextual constraints and opportunities. It also requires adequate tools to support a systematic approach to the issues.
Moving towards universal coverage not a linear process
In order to improve their health financing systems, countries need to constantly adapt to the changing situation and readjust their health financing system. Moving towards universal coverage is not a linear process; it will need actions on different fronts that will be going on simultaneously.
However, even if the different actions might be occurring in an overlapping manner there is a pathway that should structure the health financing policy and strategy process; this pathway underlines a country’s need to constantly re-evaluate their strategies and devise new plans to address problems and emerging challenges. It is a process based on continual learning, where the practical realities of the system feed back into constant re-evaluation and adjustment. It is also a process that is based on a clear vision for the future derived from an understanding of the present and which will direct the paths countries choose towards universal coverage.
The policy cycle for health financing actions and reforms towards universal coverage
