Reference no: EM133003925

Assessment - Topics for Group Debate

Is the use of external funding (donor funding for health, in the context of developing countries) for health services promoting health systems' goals?

Context

Health financing comprises three core functions:
- the collection of revenue (the mobilisation of funds);
- the pooling of funds (the accumulation of funds); and
- the purchasing of services (the allocation of funds for health service delivery).

Health systems cannot function without funding: reliable channels of funding are important to ensure that a health system is equitable, and that individual healthcare costs do not cause financial harm.

- Revenue raising ensures that there is money and ensures sustainability.
- Pooling spreads the financial risk across the population to ensure equity and efficacy.
- Allocation mechanisms used to pay for health services ensures services/medicines and technology.

The collection of revenue, the pooling of funds and the purchasing of services differ significantly from country to country. Different countries have adopted different approaches to finance their health systems. The decision of which approach to adopt is largely dependent on economic and social considerations.

For example, in terms of the collection of revenue, some countries rely predominantly on general taxation to finance their health systems while other countries have mixed systems that rely on both general taxation and health insurance.

The type of health financing approach determines the achievement of a health system's goals. Health systems' goals include population health outcomes (health gain), equity in health and finance, financial protection and the responsiveness of the health system. You are required to mount arguments along the lines of health systems' goals.

For all topics, you must structure your position statement to cover at least one of the three health systems' goals. You can use evidence (examples) from any context (developed and developing countries) to support your position in your presentation. This will allow you to gather evidence-based information to support any stance (topic), as health financing approaches differ between developed and developing countries.

Task

Critically affirm or oppose the statements below, based on at least one of the three health systems'
goals:
• health outcomes (health gain);
• equity in health and finance; and
• financial protection and responsiveness.

Revenue Collection

1. The use of out-of-pocket payments from individuals or households for health service ensures the achievement of health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 1, Opposition = Group 1.

2. The use of general taxation solely for health service ensures the achievement of health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 2, Opposition = Group 2.

3. The use of external funding (donor funding for health, in the context of developing countries) promotes health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 3, Opposition = Group 3.

Pooling of Funds/Resources

4. The use of private health insurance schemes for health service ensures the achievement of health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 4, Opposition = Group 4.

5. The use of national/social health insurance schemes for health service ensures the achievement of health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 5, Opposition = Group 5.

Purchasing of Services

6. The use of private health providers (private health facilities) for health service promotes health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 6, Opposition = Group 6.

7. The use of public health providers (public health facilities) for health service ensures the achievement of health systems' goals. Affirmative = Group 7, Opposition = Group 7.

Attachment:- Health system.rar