COMPRI-A Announces the First Public-Private Partnership Project in Health in Afghanistan

The Public/Private Partnership Task Force (P/PPTF) was created during the COMPRI-A Strengthening of Public Private Sector Health Policy Environment Workshop in November 2006 and importantly has been endorsed and approved by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a private sector initiative that works with the public sector in a relationship that involves reciprocal obligations and mutual accountability, it covers voluntary or contractual ties; sharing of investment and risks; and joint responsibility in planning, design and implementation. PPPs allow governments to transition from managing and providing services to enabling and regulating private initiatives which deliver the services.

The task force aims to create a policy environment that achieves productive partnerships between the public and private sectors, including both the non-governmental organization (NGO) and commercial sub-sectors. The key objective of the task force is to develop and provide technically sound and balanced policy advice on public/private partnerships to the MoPH through open and respectful dialogue among all members.

The task force is currently focusing on interventions that will help to increase the quality of essential health products and services provided through and within the private sector. The team also encourages private sector contribution to the achievement of MoPH goals and objectives.