Low and middle-income countries that are still developing pay a lot of attention to their healthcare system. The well-being of the population plays a critical role in the overall development and growth that is why various steps are undertaken to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of weaker health systems. Some positive alterations can already be seen due to the implementation of disease-specific programs that are supported by foreign aid (Mills, 2014). Still, a range of improvements is required to continue this positive tendency.
First of all, it will be rather advantageous if low and middle-income countries pay more attention to health education. It can be implemented even in the framework of preschool education. For example, children can deepen their knowledge in hygiene and sanitation. Classes of sexual education tend to be very useful at school because they can help to control transmission of related diseases, especially HIV/AIDS that has the crucial influence on people’s health all over the world. Finally, healthcare professionals and social workers can educate their clients so that they get to know how to prevent the most wide-spread diseases, protect themselves, and whom to address in case of emergency.
In addition to that, education should be maintained from the perspective of healthcare professionals. For example, the management can survey to find out what skills are currently required to work in the healthcare system of low and middle-income countries, pointing out those that need some improvement. Based on this information, professionals can develop the specific training program to ensure that medical staff becomes more efficient, especially considering new treatment approaches.
The next step for improvement can be focused on the implementation of e-health. Today the majority of people have electronic devices, such as phones, computers, and tablets, even in low- and middle-income countries. Using technology in the sphere of healthcare is likely to streamline many procedures. For instance, it will be easier to get an appointment or prescription. What is more, those people who live far from healthcare establishments or have limited movement can have online appointments. In the case of emergency, they will also have an opportunity to contact a practitioner with no time, which will increase one’s chances to reach positive health outcomes (Lewis, Synowiec, Lagomarsino, & Schweitzer, 2012).
Finally, it is significant to pay attention to finances. Many representatives of low- and middle-income countries do not have access to high-quality healthcare services because they are very expensive. In this framework, it is critical to reconsider general healthcare taxation and make insurance more affordable. The financing of universal coverage can be very advantageous in this framework. In addition to that, it can spread social health insurance programs. Voluntary insurance coverage can also be rather an effective way out. What is more, private entities should be encouraged to participate in service delivery. They tend to be able to improve the situation of the shortage of staff and inadequate stocks of medicines and supplies. Collaborating with the public sector, private establishments can fulfill more goals than when targeting them separately (Mills, 2014).
Following recommended steps, low and middle-income countries are likely to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of weaker health systems. They will develop long-term strategies that will guide their work, basing them on previous experiences. Their populations will become more knowledgeable of health promotion, maintenance, and preservation, which will make them more flexible and independent in the framework of decision-making. Finally, the very access to healthcare will improve greatly so that more people will be able to afford required treatment and services.
References
Lewis, T., Synowiec, C., Lagomarsino, G., & Schweitzer, J. (2012). E-health in low- and middle-income countries: findings from the Center for Health Market Innovations. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 90, 332-340.
Mills, A. (2014). Health care systems in low- and middle-income countries. The New England Journal of Medicine, 370, 552-557.