The Department of Global Health and Social Medicine is co-hosting two events related to health financing for universal coverage, both on Thursday, April 7. Both events feature Robert Yates, Senior Health Adviser, Department for International Development, United Kingdom, and S.A.S. Kargbo, Director, Reproductive and Child Health Unit, Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone, discussing access to essential services and the “free care” movement.
Direct payment for services has long been a central component of health financing in poor countries. A number of key development institutions now advocate provision of services without charge at the point of service delivery. Where user fees are abolished, how will care be paid for? What national and transnational mechanisms can ensure the fiscal viability of high-quality health services in poor countries? The speakers will discuss the historical trajectory, current status, and future directions of strategies for ensuring universal access to essential services.
The first event will be at noon to 1:30 p.m., Harvard Medical School Armenise Amphitheater, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Photo ID is required to access this free event. For further information, contact Kathleen Lebel at Kathleen_lebel@hms.harvard.edu or 617-432-1707.
The second event will be held at 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Kennedy School of Government Institute of Politics Nye Conference Center, Taubman Building, 5th Floor, Cambridge. Three panelists will respond to the two speakers. They include Dr. Paul Farmer, Kolokotrones University Professor, Harvard University; Chair, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine; and Co-founder, Partners In Health; Dr. Christian Baeza, Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population, Human Development Network, World Bank; and Dr. Agnes Binagwaho (moderator), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Rwanda. For additional information, contact Meredy Throop at mthroop@pih.org or 617-998-6518.
The Department is pleased to present these events in partnership with the Harvard University Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Partners In Health, and the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health.