Health policy and financing

This module takes an in-depth look at important issues and current debates in health policy and health economics, such as decentralization, the public-private mix, international finance of health goods, aid effectiveness, TRIPS and health insurance. The influence that certain actors, such as the international donor community, consumer organizations and consumer groups, have on the health policy agenda is critically explored, and recent influential reports concerning health policy are discussed.

As part of this course, students are required to critically read and discuss papers on specific health policy debates in low income countries. Examples of such policy debates include ‘brain drain', feasibility of insurance systems, the role of private sector and contracting arrangements, and the relationship between decentralization and equity.