The influence of equity on health reform : an analysis of the reform process in Thailand and the Philippines
Document type: mthesis
Download file(s):
183290 (643 KB)
Abstract:
In both Thailand and the Philippines, health equity is one of the articulated goals of health reforms. The widening disparities in health outcomes that disadvantage the poor caught the attention of policy makers, spurring them to take action. This paper takes particular interest in the reform initiatives of the two countries. It is interested in understanding the drivers of health reforms and how influential equity is in framing the reform policy process. Looking at Thailand and the Philippines’ rationale for health reform as well as their contents and accompanying policy development processes, there are clear indications that equity influenced health reforms in both countries. Equity’s influence was expressed in two ways. It is very overt in the Philippines, expressed as a clearly stated objective for a well-recognised problem, and implicit in the Thailand as a value that pervades health system development and policy process. While equity is organic in Thai health reform, equity influences health reform in the Philippines in so far as it is a political commitment of the government and safeguarded by a sustained civil society advocacy. Also, equity framework for both countries hinges on poverty and disadvantage is defined in terms of individual economic incapacity. Consequently, equity mechanisms that are intended to favour disadvantaged groups are built around poverty issues and do not nuance other special concerns. It is suggested that additional studies supplement this research with a review of additional policies to draw a complete picture of the influence of equity in the health system.
Authors:
Asperas, G.T.
Country:
Thailand
,
Philippines
Category:
Research
Department:
Development, Policy & Practice
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Keywords:
health services
,
poverty
,
policy
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
PAGE:
63
Year:
2008
Region:
Southeast Asia
Right:
© 2008 Asperas
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Title:
The influence of equity on health reform : an analysis of the reform process in Thailand and the Philippines
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)