In 1987, the World Bank recommended that the principle of cost recovery be incorporated into an agenda for financing publicly provided health services in developing countries. Concern remains widespread, however, that the introduction of user fees in government operated facilities or costly...

This article reports on a vision of health improvement that challenges African countries and their external partners to rethink current health strategies. The report stresses positive experiences in sub-Saharan Africa and concludes that far greater progress in improving health is possible than...