The public-private partnerships in healthcare services in middle Dissertation

The public-private partnerships in healthcare services in middle income countries - Dissertation Example The cost of spending for drugs and treatment for diseases indicate that higher costs for drugs and treatment would mean a greater burden for both low and middle income countries. The persistent and polarizing debate on health issues experienced by most countries of the world include the significant roles and the balance needed to protect the public and the private sector in securing health services for low and middle income nations (Berendes, et.al., 2011). Recently, the debates between the groups supporting either the public or private systems have become very passionate and heated, made worse by the 2007-2009 global economic downturn which strained government funds and private finances. The impact of such downturn on health has been particularly significant as many governments decreased allocations on health spending for their territories (Stuckler, et.al., 2011). At one point, the International Monetary Fund also pointed out that governments needed to expand the scope of private s ectors’ coverage in health care in relation to loan conditions, as a means of decreasing government debts (Stuckler and Basu, 2009). This remedy was severely criticized, especially by Oxfam, a non-profit organization. Oxfam pointed out that in order to ensure a wider and equitable healthcare coverage, the government must serve as its main health provider (Oxfam, 2009). In response, the World Bank (2009) has expressed the importance of specific and practical remedies which would support available resources, engaging the private enterprises in countries which have poor public health and human services. The Center for Global Development also pointed out that Oxfam did not consider the informal units, especially the fact that the poor may want to seek private health services even if they are unable to afford it (Harding, 2009). The above discussion presents two sides. On one side are those who want universal and public health services access as well as those wanting the private s ector to make available care in areas where there has been failure in public services. The private sector advocates point out that the private sector is the primary provider, especially as poor patients prefer health management by private clinics (Berendes, et.al., 2011). These advocates also indicate how the private sector may respond favourably to efficient services with the demands of market competition which must also overcome corruption and inefficiencies (Rosenthal and Newbrander, 1996). On the other side of this debate, the public sector advocates emphasize issues in accessing healthcare services caused by limits in the resources of the poor in paying for health services provided by the private sector. They have acknowledged how private markets often do not provide public health services including primary health care (Basu, et.al., 2012). The private sector is also not coordinated in terms of public health services, elements which are important in noting trends in diseases an d in managing epidemics. Both groups point out that their critics unfairly judge them due to their ideologies (Montague, et.al., 2009). They cite case reports in order to support such belief (Oxfam, 2009; World Bank, 2009). However, major issues may be seen for both groups especially as large private firms and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may thrive better