Strategizing national health in the 21st century: a handbook provides an up-to-date and practical guidance on national health planning and strategizing for health. In this handbook, WHO accumulates its wealth of experience in countries on national health policies, strategies, and plans to establish a set of best practices to support strategic plans for health. The focus on improving plans has grown in recent years, in recognition of the benefits of anchoring a strong national health sector in a written vision based on participation, analysis, and evidence.
NEW YORK — Health systems in the 21st century have been impacted by technological developments, changing needs, an increase in public awareness, and a rise in epidemics.
Taken together, this requires a lot of capacity at the national level, according to Dr. Agnès Soucat, director of health systems governance and financing at the World Health Organization. “Ministries and departments of health in the 21st century need to be equipped to handle a lot of decisions.”
As a response, WHO has launched Strategizing national health in the 21st century: a handbook on how to manage these complex issues. It provides practical guidance for countries on a range of areas, including establishing participatory processes, setting up citizen platforms, and developing decision-making processes.
And the key to success? “Building the voice of the people and the participatory process for collective decisions,” said Soucat.
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