To provide technical support to Member States to establish and strengthen effective engagement with the private sector for service delivery, the WHO Regional Office, in collaboration with UNICEF’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is supporting the development of a Private Health Sector Regional Advisory Group.

Objectives

The objectives of the Private Health Sector Regional Advisory Group are to:

1. Provide technical support to operationalize the regional framework for action on effective engagement with the private health sector.
2. Raise awareness and participate in national policy dialogues among policy-makers and key stakeholders on the role and contribution of the private health sector in progressing towards universal health coverage.
3. Contribute to the development of regional and national health plans/strategic approaches that respond to the needs and priorities of the population according to the priorities and capacity of the private health sector.
4. Facilitate networking and collaboration between different parties on the role of the private sector in the Region.
5. Advocate with policy-makers and donors by presenting evidence and highlighting the importance of the private health sector.
6. Support research initiatives at country and regional level to build evidence on the role of the private sector.
7. Introduce and share lessons learnt and experiences inside and outside the Region in scope of the private sector and its role in the health system.

Expected outcomes

1. Established network of private health sector regional advisory members.
2. National policy dialogues conducted on the role and contribution of the private health sector in progressing towards universal health coverage.
3. Regional and national health plans/strategic approaches developed that respond to the needs and priorities of the population according to the priorities and capacities of the private health sector.
4. Research initiatives at country level and regional level supported to build evidence on the role of the private sector.
5. Lessons learnt and experiences shared on the scope of the private sector and its role in the health system.

Membership

The Advisory Group will be structured to ensure broad representation from professionals in the private health sector; representing a good geographical and gender balance from inside and outside the Region.

Its membership will include:

• WHO secretariat from the three levels of the Organization
• Private sector representatives
• Development partners (UNICEF, USAID, World Bank, etc.) and international donors
• Policy-makers, regulators and public champions
• International and regional researchers, academics and experts

Nominations for the Advisory Group will be sought in close cooperation with the WHO country offices. It is expected that private sector organizations will be able to nominate individuals for broad representation and participate in the Advisory Group through a call for nomination to be organized by the WHO Regional Office, UNICEF and USAID.

Administrative issues

Arrangements for meetings

The Advisory Group will meet in person once a year at dates to be set in consultation with group members. In addition, virtual meetings and conference calls will facilitate a continuous exchange of information.

Financing

• Members will volunteer to devote some of their time to WHO.
• The WHO Regional Office will cover the costs of travel and per diem according to WHO’s rules and regulations.  

Administrative support

Administrative support will be provided by the WHO Regional Office. A private health sector focal point will be responsible for organizing meetings, preparing the minutes of meetings, distributing documents and handling any other additional tasks.

Documentation and reporting

An annual progress report will be developed by the Advisory Group and shared with partners at meetings of the Group.