Enabling the private health sector in the national response to COVID-19: Six Current Policy Challenges

Type Document Author Barbara O’Hanlon Author Mark Hellowell URL https://www.uhc2030.org/fileadmin/uploads/uhc2030/Documents/Key_Issues/Private_Sector/Enabling_the_private_health_sector_in_the_national_response_to_COVID-19-__Six_Current_Policy_Challenges.pdf Publisher World Health Organisation (WHO) / UHC Date 05/2020 Extra This document was commissioned by the World Health Organization and written by Ms. Barbara O’Hanlon, a member of the WHO Advisory Group on the Governance of the Private Sector for UHC and Dr. Mark Hellowell, Director of Global Health Policy Unit at the University of Edinburgh. Library Catalog https://www.uhc2030.org Language en Abstract The COVID-19 crisis is leading to a surge in demand for health products and services that places even the best-resourced health systems under acute stress. Recent experiences in the countries with the largest outbreaks demonstrate that private sector capacity can play a crucial role in the response effort. Partnering with the private health sector requires governments to be creative in the types of partnerships adopted, flexible in its application of regulations; and strategic in its attempts to cover the costs. Risks and challenges are inherent in acting swiftly in a context of uncertainty, but ultimately, populations will benefit if governments act to engage the private sector and collaboratively work together as partners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 response should be coordinated with actors in the private sector and civil society. WHO has developed new guidance: “Engaging the Private Health Delivery Sector in the Response to the COVID-19: A Plan of Action” (https://hsgovcollab.org/en/news/new-publication-engaging-private-health-delivery-sector-response-covid-19-plan-action) to help governments with their efforts to engage the private sector as part of a whole of society response to the pandemic and also to support governments efforts to engage the private sector to help maintain essential health services.