Harnessing Country Experiences for Health Benefit Package Design: Evidence-Informed Deliberative Processes and...

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Systems Research
• Global Health
• Health Economics

Background:

• Competing priorities challenge finite health resource allocation.
• Achieving population-level health goals requires effective priority-setting mechanisms.
• Universal Health Coverage (UHC) necessitates sustainable programs and strategic resource management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the development of practical guidance for evidence-informed deliberative processes (EDPs).
• To support the sustainability of programs aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
• To provide insights into health benefits package (HBP) design and stakeholder engagement.

Main Methods:

• Leveraging experience from the Joint Learning Network for UHC's (JLN) peer-to-peer learning platform.
• Analyzing practical challenges faced by countries in HBP design.
• Harvesting lessons from JLN countries with established advisory committees for priority setting.

Main Results:

• Practical guidance for implementing EDPs has been developed.
• Insights into engaging actors to advocate for health system priorities and values were gained.
• Lessons from established advisory committees offer practical insights for countries initiating systematic HBP design.

Conclusions:

• Peer-to-peer learning is a viable approach for institutionalizing EDPs.
• Systematic priority setting is crucial for effective HBP design and UHC.
• The guidance supports countries in navigating complex health resource allocation challenges.