Key Issues in Central America Health Reforms : Diagnosis and Strategic Implications, Volume 1. Synthesis of Findings
The main objective of this report is to identify and analyze the most pressing health sector issues in the sub region of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (referred to as CA4) while building on the successes already attained, in order to lay the groundwork for discussing and refining strategies and policies in CA4. It will focus on analyzing (a) CA4 health sector performance, measured by financial protection and a subset of health indicators; and (b) health system functions of financing and service delivery. The report also addresses three topics that CA4 stakeholders selected as their main areas of interest: (a) decentralization processes initiated in these countries; (b) the design and implementation of alternative strategies to improve access to basic maternal and child health care services: and (c) the high prevalence of malnutrition. The synthesis of findings can be found in volume 1 of the report. In volume 2, aside from the introduction, the report comprises five chapters: Chapter 2 discusses the different aspects that characterize the health sector of these countries: health care financing, financial coverage and protection, efficiency and equity in the allocation of resources and service coverage and utilization. Chapter 3 describes the extent and consequences of the various decentralization processes. Chapter 4 presents the different strategies being followed to improve access and extend basic health services, and Chapter 5 focuses on malnutrition and strategic considerations for cost effective programs in CA4.
Summary: | The main objective of this report is to
identify and analyze the most pressing health sector issues
in the sub region of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and
Nicaragua (referred to as CA4) while building on the
successes already attained, in order to lay the groundwork
for discussing and refining strategies and policies in CA4.
It will focus on analyzing (a) CA4 health sector
performance, measured by financial protection and a subset
of health indicators; and (b) health system functions of
financing and service delivery. The report also addresses
three topics that CA4 stakeholders selected as their main
areas of interest: (a) decentralization processes initiated
in these countries; (b) the design and implementation of
alternative strategies to improve access to basic maternal
and child health care services: and (c) the high prevalence
of malnutrition. The synthesis of findings can be found in
volume 1 of the report. In volume 2, aside from the
introduction, the report comprises five chapters: Chapter 2
discusses the different aspects that characterize the health
sector of these countries: health care financing, financial
coverage and protection, efficiency and equity in the
allocation of resources and service coverage and
utilization. Chapter 3 describes the extent and consequences
of the various decentralization processes. Chapter 4
presents the different strategies being followed to improve
access and extend basic health services, and Chapter 5
focuses on malnutrition and strategic considerations for
cost effective programs in CA4. |
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