Public Participation in Health: Making People Matter
Date
1999-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Brighton, UK
Abstract
Participation of communities is widely argued to be an important factor in improving health outcomes and the
performance of health systems. This paper uses a review of past experience of participation in Zimbabwe’s
health system to propose that participation be strengthened along two dimensions: Creating realistic
expectations between communities and health services in their contributions towards health, and in the
governance of health systems. Various examples are outlined of the relationship between social participation
and control and health outcomes. The paper also outlines the features of and factors in building participation in
governance of health systems. It argues for a wider inclusion of social groups from civil society, elected
leadership and health systems in structures and processes that set and audit health policies and priorities. It
discusses issues to be addressed in enhancing participation, including the information, processes, capacities and
resources required. Finally, it reviews the proposals for and issues to be addressed in enhancing participation
and accountability in Zimbabwe's health sector at district, referral hospital and national level.
Description
This is an output of the collaboration between the Training and Research Centre, Harare, and the Health and
Social Change Programme at the Institute of Development Studies, Brighton. It was written while the author
was a Visiting Fellow at the IDS in August and December 1998.
item.page.type
Working Paper
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, ZIMBABWE, GOVERNANCE, HEALTH-CARE DELIVERY, HEALTH POLICY, POLICY SCIENCES, DECISION MAKING, DEMOCRATIZATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, CIVIL SOCIETY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RESEARCH NEEDS