Partnerships in healthcare: a Commonwealth perspective

This article briefly outlines the nature and characteristics of partnership, and points to the need to build partnerships through deliberate efforts, since they do not occur by simply bringing people and/or resources together. It identifies some of the reasons why partnerships in health are invaluable in meeting the priority health needs of populations, and the importance which the Commonwealth places on partnerships given the unique characteristics which are common to its member countries. The article then uses practical examples to illustrate the value of partnerships in health at the national, regional and international level. For the benefit of front-line healthcare providers, some suggestions are given of how partnerships could be used to enhance the services which they give to the communities they serve.