To Strengthen Health Security, We Must Engage the Private Sector

Posted novembre 1, 2024

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

By Eric Seastedt, Senior Health Security Advisor, PSI

Health security and pandemic preparedness efforts are usually led by the public sector, and often fail to include private sector providers. But community pharmacists and private sector providers make up nearly 40% of health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and are essential in the fight against infectious diseases. Given this reality, it is essential we leverage the private sector to strengthen health security and pandemic preparedness.

Private sector providers are not just healthcare professionals, they are trusted community members. Because of their high volume of clients, they are often the first point of contact for people who contract infectious diseases, which is of critical importance in preventing and monitoring disease outbreaks. They have the local knowledge and relationships needed to support a community-led outbreak response effectively. By integrating them into our health security strategies, we can create a more resilient and responsive mixed health system.

The untapped potential of private providers

A new PSI-led study surveyed 1,008 registered pharmacies and 574 providers from clinics and hospitals across Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The results highlight the often-overlooked role of private healthcare providers in pandemic preparedness and response. Through this study, we learned:

The majority of private sector providers are not engaged by local authorities in pandemic preparedness and response activities – Between 2020 and 2022, only 37% of private providers reported being involved in preparedness activities (e.g. contact tracing, advising on health emergencies, surveillance activities, case detection and reporting, and more), and 33% in emergency response efforts. Cambodia saw higher engagement of private providers (38%) compared to Vietnam (22%) and Laos (20%). In Vietnam, 59% of all respondents were involved in preparedness activities, however in Cambodia and Laos, respondents reported more involvement in response efforts. Healthcare providers in private clinics were more engaged (43%) compared to pharmacies (27%).

Private sector providers are willing and able to help strengthen health security – A significant percentage (85% in Cambodia; 89% in Laos; 83% in Vietnam) of providers expressed moderate to high willingness to get involved in disease surveillance and community engagement. Those with prior experience in public health efforts were even more eager to participate.

How to build private sector capacity for health security

To truly harness the power of private providers, we must systematically include them in health security investments. This means providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases.

For example, including the private health sector in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), a systematic approach to consulting, engaging, and communicating with at risk communities, can improve communication and risk management across mixed health systems. Since private providers are embedded within communities and often a trusted source of health information, their participation in RCCE during outbreaks can help to prevent exposure to and transmission of disease.

PSI is deploying RCCE strategies in Southeast Asia, where the private sector is often the first point of contact with the health system, to improve private sector integration into government emergency management systems. With this approach, countries can ensure that private providers are well-informed and actively involved in health communication strategies which helps to build trust, disseminate accurate information, and engage communities in health initiatives, making it a crucial strategy for preparing for and detecting disease outbreaks.

Private sector providers like pharmacists and medical doctors are key stakeholders in our communities and when it comes to health security, they are essential. Private sector involvement in health security activities can strengthen and sustain disease surveillance and response. Our private providers are ready to invest in health security – so let’s invest in them.