Public-private partnerships (PPP): How creative can we go? (2006-2009)

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are at the top of many agendas in international public health practice and research area these days. Recently, many public health organizations established partnerships with the private sector, for particular research activities; World Bank and WHO are greeting and encouraging these partnerships through their own funding schemes. Literature review shows that this approach is especially productive in the developing countries, where the market fails to distribute the health benefits equitably.

Project Description

Proposing more intensive involvement of the private sector in the healthcare provision has both pro et contra arguments; this presentation looks rather at the nuances of the PPPs in terms of involvement of the SMEs, aspects of improved patient-centred healthcare approach, and the possibilities for joining the expertise and human resources of the academic and public institutions with the material resources of the private sector. Yet, the constitutional and ethic obligation for health and wellbeing of citizens sets the limits to the creativity within the boundaries of quality of health services and universal access. Strong mechanisms are needed to control the performance of the newly established partnerships, through well-instituted standards of medical practice and monitoring the health indicators of the entire population.

Usefull links

1. WHO Public-Private Partnerships for Health
2. Public-Private Partnerships for Public Health, Michael Reich ed., Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, 2002
3. Initiative on Public-Private Partnerships for Health
4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Improved Health Access
5. Public-Private Partnerships inBiomedical Research (Power Point Presentation)
6. “Biomedical research driven by Balkans’ SMEs in relaunching the Lisbon Strategy” – Agenda and other materials