Table 1 Summary of key system-wide benefits arranged by the six WHO building blocks of health systems
From: Developed-developing country partnerships: Benefits to developed countries?
Service delivery | · Developing countries provide examples of effective, safe, good quality personal and non-personal care |
· These examples include service priorities like integrated delivery packages; delivery models; infrastructure and logistics of the provider network; leadership and management; safety and quality; and demand for care | |
· The organization and management of inputs and services to deliver such packages of care can offer insights to the developed world | |
Health workforce | · Developing countries have found unique and innovative ways of dealing with the human resource crisis in health and can provide developed countries with ideas on how to best mobilize workers and fill gaps in skills and shortages |
· These insights include lessons on planning and scaling-up work force; designing training programmes for integrated service delivery; organization of healthcare workers; and recruitment and retention of workers | |
Health information | · Developing countries are excelling in the production, analysis and dissemination of information using mobile technology - this platform is usable on a regular basis and in emergencies |
· Developing countries are supporting the development of national information systems; robust reporting and response mechanisms; and the ability to track health system performance through e-health information systems | |
· Developing country experiences and successes in mobile health technology utilization can inform and stimulate patient-centred care in developed countries | |
Medical Products, Vaccines, and Technologies | · A number of developing country innovations aim to ensure equitable access to essential medicinal products |
· These innovations result from frugality rising in resource-poor environments | |
· Professionals who are able to create, appreciate, and utilise such innovative products are an asset to their host institutions | |
Health Financing | · Some developing countries offer health financing systems that achieve universal coverage through social protection |
· These systems provide health for all through national health financing policies; tools and data on health expenditures; and policies on costing/expenditure | |
· Despite their differences, developed countries can learn about social protection in health from developing countries | |
Leadership and governance | · No global blueprint for health leadership and governance exists |
· Developing country leadership and governance examples from successful initiatives (involving policy guidance; collaboration and coalition building; and harmonization & alignment) offer learning opportunities for developed countries |