Implementing decentralisation in health ministries enables district development, community participation and collaboration among sectors, a World Health Organisation (WHO) representative said on Monday.
At the opening session of a workshop on decentralisation of health services, WHO Deputy Regional Director Abdullah Assaedi said decentralisation within the health sector improves efficiency, equity, accessibility and quality.
“[It] inherently implies the expansion of choice at the local level,” he noted.
The four-day workshop’s main objective, according to Assaedy, is to come up with a clearly defined framework for the implementation of decentralisation in the health system.
Adel Bilbeisi, the health minister’s adviser, highlighted the ministry’s achievements in the field of decentralisation, such as delegating some financial and administrative powers to Karak Public Hospital and Princess Raya Hospital.
He added that the ministry has recently finished assessing the current status of decentralisation within the first part of its implementation plan in cooperation with WHO.
“Special committees have been formed to draw up a strategy for decentralisation, and work is under way to apply it,” he said.
Organised by WHO and the Ministry of Health, the workshop includes presentations by participating countries on the implementation of decentralisation within their health ministries, in addition to discussions on the main topic within political, legal and administrative contexts in addition to health.
At the end of the workshop, participants will come up with recommendations on the best methods for moving forward with the decentralisation agenda.
Representatives from 12 health ministries in the region, in addition to WHO and UNICEF are taking part in the workshop.
Rand Dalgamouni
Jordan Times