The purpose of this study was to explore the role and importance of human resources for the scaling up of health services in low income countries. In the case studies, the following have been analyzed: (i) investigated the size, composition and structure of the current health work force; (ii)...

A key issue in the expansion of access to priority health services is how best to implement scaling up efforts. In this paper, we explore the relative merits of vertical and horizontal delivery modes; review the literature on the impact of vertical programmes on health systems and on experiences...

This review paper provides the background to research that will take place in four country case-studies to examine these issues. A key focus of this paper concerns government's capacity to fulfil the new roles expected of it. The paper selects four important new reform arrangements: autonomous...

Little attention has been paid to the question of how to finance the costs of scaling up MNCH care and the likely availability of funds. Methods Past health expenditure (2000 – 2005) was analysed through the National Health Accounts of 57 high priority countries. They projected likely...

Health economics is increasingly recognized as a discipline that has much to offer developing countries in addressing these problems, but how can it help? What economic concepts and tools can be applied to the health sector? A wider understanding of the discipline is required if it is to support...

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a double shock - health and economic. As of March 1, 2021, COVID-19 has cost more than 2.5 million lives and triggered an economic recession surpassing any economic downturn since World War II. Part I of this paper explores the impact of this current...

Nigeria has the highest population of unimmunized children in the world and is one of few countries with less than half the population covered with essential health services. Low coverage of services poses a threat to the health and well-being of Nigerian children, but this threat becomes even...

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a double shock - health and economic. As of March 1, 2021, COVID-19 has cost more than 2.5 million lives and triggered an economic recession surpassing any economic downturn since World War II. Part I of this paper explores the impact of this current...