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Strengthening voice and accountability in the health sector
Poor perceptions of health facilities in many communities can lead to low motivation in using such facilities. However, there are rarely opportunities for citizens to influence health services, with no mechanisms through which to voice their concerns and no tradition of challenging poor performance.
Health Partners International has been involved in the design, ongoing support and review of initiatives strengthening voice and accountability in the health sector. These include:
- strengthening policy commitments to community voice and accountability
- increasing community involvement in the governance of health facilities
- promoting community participation in management of sustainable drug supply systems
- establishing mechanisms for client and community voice on service quality issues
- contributing to the development of donor agency strategy on voice and accountability.
Some of our projects
- Community aspects of Peer Participatory Rapid Health Appraisal for Action (PPRHAA) - Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania
- Strengthening health committees - Nigeria
- Introducing Drug Revolving Funds - Nigeria
- Managing health safety net schemes - Nigeria
Background information
There are often gaps between commitments and the implemenation of responsive health services.
It is a challenge to find practical and locally appropriate ways to address issues of voice, accountability and responsiveness at policy level. Actions may include:
- creating the pre-conditions for initiatives to flourish, through legislation and policy
- introducing supply-side interventions such as patient charters
- supporting joint government-civil society initiatives
- supporting citizen-led initiatives.