Advancing Health Systems in Low and Middle Income Countries

Health governance is foundational to strengthening health systems around the world, but it’s something that many development practitioners struggle to conceptualize. We acknowledge it as important, but we don’t always know how to influence it. In this episode, we’ll talk about why governance is so difficult, consider how to apply a governance lens, and learn from an example of HFG’s governance work in Vietnam. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project is a six-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. HFG is implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. To learn more, visit www.HFGProject.org The information provided in this podcast is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of USAID or the U.S. Government. Transcripts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VLr0zCvfAdzquMw4BFQeOPMXVkW2G4kJ

As countries strive to achieve universal health coverage, they must implement health insurance systems or other types of financial protection programs that protect against financial risk and improve access to quality and affordable health care. In this episode, we’ll introduce the major insurance models being implemented around the world, discuss some of the specific challenges LIMCs face, and learn about what two countries are doing to create an insurance system that is equitable, efficient, and financially sustainable. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project is a six-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. HFG is implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. To learn more, visit www.HFGProject.org The information provided in this podcast is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of USAID or the U.S. Government. Transcripts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VLr0zCvfAdzquMw4BFQeOPMXVkW2G4kJ

The digital revolution can offer solutions to many health system constraints: increasing access to information in far flung villages, speeding information to decision-makers in real-time, giving over-burdened health workers tools for training, case management, and support; mobilizing communities to hold governments accountable for quality services. But how can development practitioners realize these positive outcomes? Find out in this episode. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project is a six-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. HFG is implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. To learn more, visit www.HFGProject.org The information provided in this podcast is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of USAID or the U.S. Government. Transcripts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VLr0zCvfAdzquMw4BFQeOPMXVkW2G4kJ

What happens to health systems in low- and middle-income countries when big international donors change their plans, while demand for health services within the country continue to rise? This episode explores the concept of Domestic Resource Mobilization--DRM--a timely issue that the HFG Project has been working on over the last few years. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project is a six-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. HFG is implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. To learn more, visit www.HFGProject.org The information provided in this podcast is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of USAID or the U.S. Government. Transcripts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VLr0zCvfAdzquMw4BFQeOPMXVkW2G4kJ

This podcast seeks to provide knowledge and perspectives on health finance and governance, critical challenges for health systems strengthening and reform. We are public health professionals working in low- and middle- income countries to support systems strengthening and ultimately, to improve health for the poorest, most vulnerable people around the world. This first episode aims to help listeners appreciate why health finance and governance must be addressed when working to improve health outcomes, and will be followed by episodes which delve into the dynamics of topics like domestic resource mobilization for health, expanding access to healthcare through insurance, and the importance of “good governance” in creating responsive, patient-centered health systems. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project is a six-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Cooperative Agreement No: AID-OAA-A-12–00080. HFG is implemented by Abt Associates in partnership with Avenir Health, Broad Branch Associates, Development Alternatives Inc., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Results for Development Institute, RTI International, and Training Resources Group, Inc. To learn more, visit www.HFGProject.org The information provided in this podcast is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of USAID or the U.S. Government. Transcripts: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VLr0zCvfAdzquMw4BFQeOPMXVkW2G4kJ