Newly published policy note cites potential efficiencies of private voluntary health insurance

The IFC-World Bank Health in Africa Initiative brought together U.S.-based representatives of African countries and members of the African Diaspora community to discuss innovative ways to improve health systems in Africa and the critical role the private sector can play. The African Union Mission to the U.S. co-sponsored the event at IFC headquarters, November 20, 2009.

Themes emerging from the discussion included the importance of sharing best practices of successful public-private interactions and private sector activity among the group. Representatives also agreed that health financing in Africa is inadequate and that the African Diaspora could play a critical role in meeting health sector financing demands, which are around $25-30 billion over the next decade, according to IFC’s Business of Health in Africa report.

For more information on the event, please see the press release.