Including the private sector in the call for universal health coverage
The potential of private health providers to help countries achieve universal health coverage is generating global interest.
On World Health Day, SHOPS highlighted its efforts to increase the use of priority health services by tapping the private sector. These efforts include a mobile-enabled insurance program in Tanzania, increasing private sector delivery points in Senegal, publishing recommendations on including family planning in universal health coverage efforts, adding a private sector voice to the #HealthforAll conversation, and sharing a new video.
Scaling up mobile-enabled insurance in Tanzania
An innovative mobile insurance product is bringing Tanzania closer to achieving universal health coverage by complementing government-sponsored schemes. SHOPS Plus partnered with Vodacom, Jubilee Insurance, and Edgepoint Digital to launch Jamii, which provides health care coverage to low-income individuals in Tanzania. Jamii is transforming the way people access health insurance, enabling registration via mobile phones using an SMS-based system. It targets low-income households, including people living with HIV. Read more.
Increasing access to health services in Senegal
In Senegal, SHOPS Plus works to increase the number of private sector delivery points, particularly through mobile outreach and social franchise networks. Project staff based in Dakar are helping private providers use government-subsidized mutual health associations (mutuelles) to cover priority health products and services. SHOPS Plus works closely with the national agency that oversees universal health coverage efforts. Read about our other work in Senegal.
French and English briefs: accelerating progress toward universal health coverage
SHOPS Plus recently published a French version of its most downloaded publication, Integrating Family Planning into Universal Health Coverage Efforts. The brief describes several health financing approaches and what they mean for family planning. In the brief, co-authors Jeanna Holtz and Intissar Sarker argue that progress toward universal health coverage can be accelerated. Read the French version. Read the English version.
Video: “Increasing access to health care at the time that people need it”
A new SHOPS Plus video highlights the project’s work supporting local private sector partners around the world.
Adding a private sector voice to the #HealthForAll conversation
On April 6, SHOPS Plus added a private sector voice to a World Health Day tweet chat hosted by Global Health Council and the Center for Global Development in observance of World Health Day. The topic was universal health coverage. @SHOPSPlus was retweeted 19 times during the chat; below was the most popular tweet.
A6b Promoting #genderequality in health workforce strengthens health systems by increasing worker recruitment, retention, & productivity. We're helping priv providers build more equitable workplaces. @HFGProject @IrisGroup @AfricaHealthBiz @GlobalHealthOrg #HealthforAll #WHWWeek pic.twitter.com/pFtfqIGLx3
— SHOPS Plus (@ShopsPlus) April 6, 2018