Joint Learning Network (JLN) Health Financing Workshop

The JLN was established in 2011 with the goal of extending coverage to more than 3 billion people and ensuring financial protection for all. The network is guided by two core principles: Country Ownership and Joint Learning. Country Ownership emphasizes the importance of member countries taking ownership of the reform process, setting the agenda, and leading the initiative. This principle is reflected in the JLN's governance structure, which includes a Steering Group, Network Coordinator, and Technical Facilitators. The Steering Group is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight, while the Network Coordinator facilitates the network's activities and provides technical support. The Joint Learning Approach is a key component of the JLN, which involves identifying common problems, collective problem-solving, synthesis of new knowledge, and adaptation of knowledge within JLN countries. This approach enables countries to share experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, and to co-develop practical tools and knowledge products that can be used and shared. The JLN has established several technical initiatives and collaboratives, which focus on specific areas such as primary health care, health financing, and information technology. These initiatives bring together practitioners and experts from member countries to co-develop global knowledge on the practical "how-to's" of achieving UHC. The JLN's technical initiatives and collaboratives include topics such as PHC-UHC Self-Assessment, Engaging the Private Sector in PHC Delivery, and Health Benefits Policies for PHC. The JLN's governance structure includes Country Core Groups, which facilitate cross-institutional dialogue within each member country, identify participants for JLN technical activities, and link to national and sub-national UHC efforts. For example, Nigeria's JLN Country Core Group is co-led by the Federal Ministry of Health, National Health Insurance Scheme, and National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The JLN's collaborative learning approach has several key benefits, including strong country ownership, relevance to country priorities, space to analyze root causes, and the creation of practical tools and knowledge products that can be used and shared. The JLN's collaborative learning approach also creates opportunities for responsive follow-up by partners and builds trust, safe space, and community among practitioners. The JLN has grown to include 27 countries, with a strong focus on expanding health coverage to reach target populations, especially the poor and informal sector. The network's goals include increasing access to essential health services, improving the quality of care and patient safety, and promoting financial sustainability of UHC systems.