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Public-private mix in health systems

Health financing is the obvious aspect of the health system which has a public-private mix. But it is not the only aspect.

Two mothers holding their babies are shown sitting in a waiting room. Other small children sit on chairs nearby.

In week four we looked at private and public financing of health care, and recognised that both types of funding exist in almost all health systems. Of course, many health systems have a dominant source of funding, either private or public. It is this dominant source of funding which often determines whether people refer to their health system as ‘private’ or ‘public’. However, it is not only health financing that has a public-private mix, but most other aspects of the health system. In week five we looked at the challenges of managing a mixed health workforce, with public and private providers employing public and private staff. What other aspects of the health system can you think of that will have a public-private mix?

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