Devex: Opinion: Innovative financing methods driving better health care for all
Omar Campos, senior director of funding partnerships at Philips Health Tech, and Jan-Willem Scheijgrond, head of international partnerships at Royal Philips

“…Strengthening primary health care, with outreach into the community and a well-functioning referral chain, is the most efficient and effective way to improve access to good-quality health care, thereby paving the way for [universal health coverage (UHC)]. However, this requires a number of significant changes. First, primary health care systems need to be redesigned, based on community needs, to include services ranging from prevention to emergency care. … At the same time, hybrid public-private health care models or other forms of partnership with the private sector should be considered. … At present, donor funding alone is not sufficient to achieve the [Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] … [A] new, hybrid business model bringing together donors and impact investors, governments, and the private sector has the potential to deliver on the SDGs. … A commitment to long-term partnerships with governments and other stakeholders is vital in order to strengthen health care systems. It is by working together — and pursuing financing models where results on health care and service delivery are defined at population level — that we can scale the impact on people’s lives” (6/5).