How can
civil society roles in health be enhanced?
The roles of civil society extend across all dimensions of health
systems. Interactions between the state and its citizens are
a basis for major public health actions and help to shape and
enforce public health standards. Civil society complements health
services, particularly in mounting responses to urgent health
problems such as HIV/AIDS. Civil society is especially valuable
in its ability to organize social action for health. Some civic
organizations provide health services. State and non-state services
should therefore be better coordinated, and complementary civil-state
roles should be more clearly identified.
What contribution
does civil society make to dealing with priority health problems?
Civil society can contribute to managing public health problems
in a number of ways. It is important, however, that the health
sector does not promote 'from the top' any roles that it wants
civil society to take. There must first be dialogue with civic
stakeholders.
What do
health services need to do to facilitate civil society roles?
Health systems need to accommodate community perceptions and
roles. Health personnel need to understand how civil roles can
challenge health service roles and performance. The health sector
needs to use client centred approaches and to provide incentives
for health staff to build positive interactions.
What role
does civil society play in strengthening accountability over
policy in health systems?
Civil society involvement can enhance policy accountability,
but needs to be backed by access to information. The diverse
interests and strengths of different civic groups have to be
recognized so that the poor are not excluded. Civil society also
plays a role in international policy debates. |