Brainstorming on how to make the case for health’s "slice of the pie"

The discussion centered on the disagreements between the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in allocating resources. Common reasons for these disagreements included MOF's challenges in responding to the health sector's needs and the health sector's challenges in responding to MOF's requests. To address these challenges, the discussion focused on MOH-MOF alignment across the budget cycle. Participants were asked to rate their effectiveness in the budget process at each point in the cycle, including revenue projection, budget formation, budget execution, and financial reporting. The results of the quick quiz revealed varying levels of effectiveness across different stages of the budget cycle. To improve the budget process, participants brainstormed ideas for developing a "DRM for Health Action Plan." The plan aimed to address the challenges in making the case for health resources and improving each step in the budget cycle. Possible categories for the action plan included information needed, stakeholders to engage, and processes and policies to institute or change. Participants discussed the need for a common base of data to better make the case for health resources, including information on need, effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. They also identified the importance of engaging the right stakeholders, including MOH and MOF officials, and improving the frequency and effectiveness of their interactions. In terms of processes and policies, participants brainstormed ideas for changing the way MOH and MOF engage across the budget cycle. They suggested modifying revenue projection, budget formation, budget execution, and financial reporting processes to improve the allocation of health resources. The discussion highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges in securing health's "slice of the pie" and to improve the budget process. The action plan categories included information and data, stakeholders, and processes and policies. Participants emphasized the need for a common base of data to better make the case for health resources, including information on need, effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. They also identified the importance of engaging the right stakeholders and improving the frequency and effectiveness of their interactions. The discussion on processes and policies focused on modifying revenue projection, budget formation, budget execution, and financial reporting processes to improve the allocation of health resources. Participants suggested changing the way MOH and MOF engage across the budget cycle to address the challenges in securing health's "slice of the pie." The action plan aimed to address these challenges and improve the budget process. The facilitated plenary discussion aimed to address the challenges in securing health's "slice of the pie" in the budget allocation process. The discussion centered on the disagreements between MOH and MOF in allocating resources and focused on MOH-MOF alignment across the budget cycle. Participants brainstormed ideas for developing a "DRM for Health Action Plan" to address the challenges in making the case for health resources and improving each step in the budget cycle.