Strengthening Public Private Partnerships for Health: USAID/Uganda Private Health Support Program

The program is implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in partnership with the USAID/Uganda Private Health Support Program. The primary goal of the program is to strengthen the capacity of the MoH to translate the National Policy on Public Private Partnership in Health (PPPH Policy) into actions that benefit the health of Ugandans. The PPPH program is comprised of a complex nexus of government, local and international agencies, and for-profit partners working together to promote service delivery, management of health services, research and development, information systems strengthening, human resources capacity development, and financing. The program seeks to review the established structures and the composition and Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the Technical Working Group (TWG) and align them to the PPP Act, 2015. The MoH has assigned the Uganda National Association of Community and Occupational Health (UNACOH) to work with the MoH to strengthen the PPPH Node. Two consultancies were undertaken by UNACOH to analyze the existing PPPH structure set out in the PPPH policy and make recommendations on the PPPH organization chart and review the composition and the Terms of Reference for the TWG on the PPPH. The reports from the consultancies made significant findings and recommendations, including the need to review the reporting structure set out in the PPPH policy and the recommendation for the PPPH Node to be elevated to report directly to the Permanent Secretary. The reports also recommended that the Technical Working Group (TWG) be expanded to include the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, office of the Prime Minister, and the Private Sector Foundation. Additionally, the reports recommended that the Terms of Reference for the TWG include capacity building, supervision and reporting, research and advocacy. The findings from the reports acknowledged efforts by the PPPH TWG to fulfill their mandate, but highlighted a gap with regard to follow-up of recommendations given by the PPPH TWG, which lacked decision-making power. The PPP Act, 2015, and the Uganda National Policy on Public Private Partnerships in Health provide the legal and institutional framework for PPPs in Uganda. The PPP Act, 2015, establishes the PPP Node as a key structure for PPP implementation, and the Uganda National Policy on Public Private Partnerships in Health provides guidance on the principles and procedures for PPPs in health. The report agrees that the PPP Node should report directly to the Accounting Officer to avoid bureaucracy and ensure empowerment and continuous capacity building. The report recommends that the role of the PPP project team, as established by the PPP Act, be harmonized with the role of the PPPH Node. Additionally, the report recommends that the membership of the TWG be expanded to include more actors and stakeholders relevant to the PPP implementation process. The revised Terms of Reference for the TWG would enhance the capacity of the TWG to offer strategic advice on potential PPPHs and effectively manage and monitor PPPH implementation.