With the decline of ideology, politicians have grown increasingly fond of the dictum ‘What’s best is what works.’ This book is an excellent lesson on what works in health care—or more precisely, on how to make what works work better, especially with respect to the involvement of the private sector. It should be on every health policy maker’s desk.--Julian Legrand, Professor, London School of Economics Although many countries already make use of private services in key ways to further public aims in health care, the issue of private participation in health services is often a controversial one. As Private Participation in Health Services demonstrates, private participation is not the same as privatization, and moreover, it is often the most efficient and effective response to addressing gaps in health care services. Drawing on a wide range of country experiences, this book provides a judicious blend of practical advice and useful information. It discusses how to assess the potential for private sector involvement, how to engage in contracting with the private sector for health services, and how to regulate the sector. Private Participation in Health Services also provides recommendations on what to do when key information is not there: a crucial element of any strategy, especially in developing countries where data and information sources are scarce.

Index: s. 339-349