Barriers and facilitators to implementation of essential health benefits package within primary health care settings in low-income and middle-income countries: A systematic review

Fadi El-Jardali, Racha Fadlallah, Aref Daouk, Rana Rizk, Nour Hemadi, Ola El Kebbi, Aida Farha, Elie A. Akl*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Background: One of the key requirements for achieving universal health coverage is the proper design and implementation of essential health benefits package (EHPs). We systematically reviewed the evidence on barriers and facilitators to the implementation of EHPs within primary health care settings in low-income and middle-income countries.

Methods: We searched multiple databases and the gray literature. Two reviewers completed independently and in duplicate data selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. We synthesized the findings according to the following health systems arrangement levels: governance, financial, and delivery arrangements.

Results: Ten studies met the eligibility criteria. At the governance level, key reported barriers were insufficient policymaker-implementer interactions, limited involvement of consumers and stakeholders, sub-optimal primary health care network arrangement, poor marketing and promotion of package, and insufficient coordination with community network. The key reported facilitator was the presence of a legal policy framework for package implementation. At the financial level, barriers included delays and inadequate remunerations to health care providers while facilitators included government and donor commitments to financing of package and flexibility in exploring new funding mechanisms. At the delivery level, barriers included inadequate supervision, poor facility infrastructure, limited availability of equipment and supplies, and shortages of workers. Facilitators included proper training and management of workforce, availability of female health workers, presence of clearly defined packages, and continuum of care, including referrals to promote comprehensive service delivery.

Conclusion: We identified a set of barriers and facilitators that need to be addressed to ensure proper implementation of EHPs within primary health care settings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-41
Number of pages27
JournalInternational Journal of Health Planning and Management
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • barriers and facilitators
  • health benefits package
  • primary health care
  • systematic review
  • universal health coverage
  • BASIC PACKAGE
  • SERVICES
  • COVERAGE
  • INSURANCE
  • GOVERNANCE
  • DELIVERY
  • QUALITY
  • ACCESS
  • POLICY
  • COST

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