Country-level support: national health policies, strategies and plans
A robust, inclusive, coherent and balanced health plan is increasingly recognized as a contributor to improved services and equitable outcomes. The deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is 2015, underlining the urgent need to put in place national health policies, strategies and plans that can accelerate progress towards them. Plans need to be realistic and workable at the operational level.
WHO’s assistance has been in two main areas: improving national capacities and practices for governing, steering, and regulating the health sector; and improving coordination of the mechanisms that support Member States to achieve national targets for health system development and global health goals.
Specific achievements include helping countries develop strong national health plans, include equity and universal coverage as specific goals, and develop greater awareness of the importance of health legislation. So far 13 countries have been directly assisted to develop and strengthen national health policies, strategies and plans.