FIFTY-SIXTH WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY Agenda item 14.13
WHA56.25 28 May 2003
The role of contractual arrangements in improving health systems’ performance The Fifty-sixth World Health Assembly, Having considered the report on the role of contractual arrangements in improving health systems’ performance,1 Noting that the performance of health systems must be strengthened in order further to improve the health of populations, ensure equitable financing of health, and meet the legitimate expectations of the population; Considering that the reform of health systems has generally involved institutional restructuring, with a diversification of the agents involved in the field of health, in the public and private sectors, and among associations; Noting that cultural change within health services, such as greater focus on patient needs, a broader population-health approach, and emphasis on addressing health inequalities, is often required to improve performance, and that health-system culture may be unaffected by structural change; Recognizing the important role of government stewardship in regulation of contractual arrangements in the health sector, 1. URGES Member States: (1) to ensure that contractual arrangements in the field of health adopt rules and principles that are in harmony with national health policy; (2) to frame contractual policies that maximize impact on the performance of health systems and harmonize the practices of all parties in a transparent way, to avoid adverse effects; (3) to share their experiences on contractual arrangements involving the public and private sectors and nongovernmental organizations in the provision of health services;
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Document A56/22.
WHA56.25
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REQUESTS the Director-General: (1) to create an evidence base so as to permit evaluation of the impact of differing types of contractual arrangements on the performance of health systems and identification of best practices, taking account of sociocultural differences; (2) to provide, in response to requests from Member States, technical support in strengthening capacities and expertise in the development of contractual arrangements; (3) to develop, in response to requests from Member States, methods and tools tailored to country realities to provide support to Member States in establishing a system of supervision to ensure the provision of high-quality health services, for example by accreditation, licensing and registration of public and private-sector and nongovernmental organizations in the health sector; (4) to facilitate the exchange of experience among Member States;
(5) to report to the Executive Board at its 117th session and the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly on the ways in which contractual arrangements and other strategies to strengthen health systems improve the performance of health systems in Member States.
Tenth plenary meeting, 28 May 2003 A56/VR/10
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