Stocholm 2003: Health sector reform in Palestine
Date: Tuesday, April 29 @ 20:01:27 EEST
Topic: IAHPE (Europe)
Motasem HAMDAN
1) Centre for Health Services and Nursing
Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium 2) School of Public
Health, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem.
13th IAHPEurope Conference "Social and economic destabilisation in Europe: implications for health"
May 21st to24th 2003, Stockholm, Sweden
Health workforce in political and economic destabilisation: the interaction between health sector reform and human resources development in Palestine
Abstract:
Reform and reconstruction of the Palestinian health care system started in a fragile environment following the changeover of authority in 1994, with prospects of peace brought by the Oslo Peace Agreement. There has been a fluctuation in the context of policy development dominated by the uncertain political situation. The eruption of the second Palestinian Intifada in September 2000 and the Israeli reoccupation of the Palestinian autonomous territories has resulted in weakening the PNA capacity and the destruction of the public infrastructure. As a consequence the economy has been in severe recession. The uncertainties in the political, economic, and social environment have major implications for policy making in general and for health policy in particular.
The paper looks at policy development inhuman resources for health (HRH), a critical area where significant change has been witnessed. It analyses the relationship between HRH policy options and strategies and the policy context. Particular attention is given to the correlation between human resources strategies and health sector reform initiatives in the transitional period. The methodology was based on semi-structured interviews, an exhaustive documentary review and secondary data analysis.
The analysis concludes with specific observations about HRH strategies
and policies in Palestine, and an insight in and understanding of policy
development in a transitional and uncertain context and provides lessons
for policy-making in countries in similar conditions.
Address: Centre for Health Services and Nursing Research, K.U.Leuven
Kapucijnenvoer 35/4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Tel: +32-16-336974
Fax: +32-16-336970
Email: [email protected]
|
|