PHA-Exchange> Medact and Wemos report on PRSPs and health

[Claudio]

From: <ellen.verheul at wemos.nl>

> announcement of new report: 
> 
> Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and health: not living up to 
> expectations
>  
> A new report by Medact and Wemos highlights some of the issues that 
> need to be taken into account in order to make the PRSP process work 
> for health. Pushing the boundaries:, health and the next round of 
> PRSPs draws on case studies in seven countries: Bangladesh, Bolivia, 
> Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nicaragua and Uganda. Till now, the PRSP 
> process has failed to make significant improvements to health. But in 
> some areas and in some countries there are positive developments. 
> Ghana's health budget has risen and user fees are abolished in Uganda 
> and Ghana as a result of increased policy attention for the poor. In 
> Bolivia recruitment procedures improved as a result of the Bolivian 
> case study showing that implementation of PRPS commitments failed. In 
> Bangladesh local groups, after having heard of the PRSP, have now 
> started to monitor health service delivery. But there is a long way 
> to go. World Bank and IMF conditions, high levels of debt repayments 
> and lack of support by ministries of finance often form major 
> obstacles for strengthening health systems. Donor programmes and the 
> 'global funds' aimed at specific diseases, contribute to 
> fragmentation of the health system and coordination problems. Pushing 
> the boundaries calls for health organisations, ministries of health, 
> donors and international agencies to use the PRSP process to 
> establish equitable and comprehensive health systems, and to ensure 
> that macroeconomic policies support social development.   
> 
> The report can be downloaded from www.wemos.nl/prs or www.medact.org