Talk

SNF Talk: The importance of Public Private Partnerships in the Health Sector

Thursday June 23, 09:30, Lobby NLG

Kevin Rudd, Former Prime Minister of Australia; President of the Asia Society

An investment that underpins the social fabric and democracy, public-private partnership in health is one of the main pillars of the social contract. A people-centered approach to reform and transparency can enhance system efficiency.

"Health is one of the three key pillars of the social contract, along with the government and the people. What do people want? They want health, basic education services, and a financial safety net for unexpected expenses. If you ensure these, you have created a web of social cohesion," Kevin Rudd said in his speech on the importance of public-private partnership in health, explaining that the cooperation between the two sectors is "an investment which, in essence, underpins the social fabric and democracy."

In recounting the national reform effort in Australia under his premiership, he touched on four key pillars: the prevention system, which can vastly contribute to reducing the costs of the health system; primary health care in the local community; a comprehensive, integrated approach to human health; and an integrated national system for recording all data, from both the public and private sectors, in order to avoid the costs resulting from multiple, often recurring, diagnostic tests in different settings. Relaying the experience of the reform in his country, where "the political forces have managed to come together," he stressed that "in order for the system to be effective, it must be founded on one basic principle: person-centred health care.

Although Australia has a "culture of seamless public-private partnership" in place, as Rudd noted, the former prime minister did not fail to mention the challenges some countries face in setting up an arrangement between the two sectors: "Bad examples of partnerships result from bad planning, bad data and lack of transparency. But if the design is right, if there is mutual agreement on the objectives and schedules, if the data is clear data and transparency is ensured, then the system can be effective."