Policy-makers from the health, social policy and financial sectors from all over the WHO European Region are gathered this week in Barcelona, Spain, to review effective policy instruments to improve health system performance through better health financing.
This is the 10th edition of the WHO Barcelona Course on Health Financing for Universal Health Coverage. Since 2011, more than 1000 experts from the Region have completed the intensive programme. Offered by the WHO Barcelona Office for Health Systems Financing, it puts global and regional policy experiences in context, reviewing the most effective policy instruments for moving towards universal health coverage.
The 5-day programme, taking place on 19–23 September this year, combines systematic thinking about health systems and health financing with an interactive, practical focus on improving health system performance through better policy analysis, design and implementation.
It is built around 5 modules: coordinating reform, raising revenue, pooling funds, purchasing and coverage policy. Each module includes an interactive discussion among participants and trainers to provide a platform for sharing good practices from across Europe. Participants draw on theory and international experience to diagnose health financing problems in a country of their choice, and work together to overcome obstacles on the path to universal health coverage.
Designed for policy-makers in the health and social policy sector, senior managers in service provider organizations and experts in health system reform, the WHO Barcelona Course has developed an extensive network and facilitated joint WHO and country work on strengthening health financing policy. It is now an established brand in the field, attracting attention from policy-makers across Europe and globally.
To take part in this advanced programme, candidates need to have prior training in health systems and extensive work experience in this area. Hundreds of experts apply for the WHO Barcelona Course annually; however, to make sure that participants get the most out of interactive exercises, only around 50 people can be offered a place.
This new edition of the WHO Barcelona Course was made possible thanks to financial assistance from the European Union and the Government of Catalonia, Spain.