Implications of publicly funded health insurance for UHC in LMICs

Speaker: Dr. Sulakshana Nandi

Abstract

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has provided the impetus for the introduction of publicly-funded health insurance (PFHI) schemes especially in many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) with mixed health systems. In many countries these schemes involve “purchasing” of healthcare by governments from the for-profit private health sector. Drawing on my own research and that of other scholars and activists, in this talk I will discuss the implications of public healthcare delivery by the for-profit private sector. I will present evidence related to its impact on health equity, financial protection, universal access to healthcare and public healthcare systems, locating the analysis within the political economy of health and global health policy and discourse. Foregrounding lessons from the health systems response during the pandemic I will conclude by discussing the need to examine and address the commercial determinants of market-based healthcare delivery.

About the speaker

Dr. Sulakshana Nandi is the Co-chair of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) Global Steering Council and National Joint Convener of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (PHM India). PHM is a global network of grassroots health activists, civil society organisations and academic institutions advocating for the Right To Health and has a presence in over 70 countries, particularly low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Nandi has worked for over two decades as a public health researcher and activist. Her work in the field of public health spans research, capacity strengthening, and advocacy related to health equity, health systems, health financing, human resources for health, public policies and programmes for health and nutrition and the social and commercial determinants of health. Dr. Nandi has worked in multiple states of India supporting community-based organisations, particularly of women and indigenous communities. She currently works in the state of Chhattisgarh and is actively involved with the Public Health Resource Network and the Right to Food Campaign in India. Dr. Nandi holds a PhD in Public Health from University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

This session is a part of the webinar series titled Health Economics and Policy in South Asia which discusses several aspects of health in South Asia by bringing together experts from diverse disciplines globally.