Interdisciplinary Research Project „The Governance of Health Systems“ (2009-2011)
The Basel Institute on Governance and the Swiss Tropical Institute have been awarded funds to undertake an interdisciplinary research project on „The Governance of Health Systems“ (2009-2011) by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The combined expertise and networks of the Basel Institute of Governance and the Swiss Tropical Institute in governance, public health and epidemiology are ideally matched to address the complex and interdependent features of health systems.
Background
Governance is increasingly being recognised as a core determinant of the performance of health care systems, especially in low-income countries. In the last few years, pioneering work by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other organisations have begun to outline the importance of governance for health care systems. However, there is still a huge need to define what the governance of health systems means, to provide researchers, decision-makers and practitioners alike with a strong tool for the meaningful assessment of health governance.
Project
The project is spearheading efforts for a more evidence-based and dynamic understanding of how health systems function in low-income and transition countries. It seeks to analyse key factors determining the quality of health governance, with detailed case studies in Eastern Africa and Central Asia.
Objectives
The project seeks to achieve following objectives:
- To elaborate a health systems-specific governance framework that has been validated in two countries;
- To substantially advance the understanding of health systems and allow for better-informed health sector reforms;
- To support capacity-building and knowledge-exchange on health systems governance on a national, regional and international level; and
- To provide new empirical data on relevant dimensions of health systems in Eastern Africa and Central Asia. In addition, the case-studies of Eastern Africa and Central Asia will generate valuable information on specific governance problems of two regions that face substantial health challenges.