Egypt Approved its Concession Law in Health in Record Time. Not Too Late for a Public-Private Dialogue
This month, Egypt swiftly approved a new concession law allowing the
private sector to construct, manage, and operate public health facilities.
Despite its rapid passage, the law has faced significant opposition from
parliamentarians, the medical syndicate, and various right-to-health civil
society organizations. The approval process, completed in less than a month,
notably lacked a crucial element: a comprehensive public-private dialogue (PPD)
about the law. Many other critical components necessary for successful private
sector engagement were also absent. Now, the pressing question is whether Egypt
is still willing to conduct a PPD to ensure the successful implementation of
its concession law.
What is Public-Private Dialogue?
Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) is a
structured mechanism that brings together public, private, and civil society
actors to collaboratively identify, prioritize, implement, and measure policy
reforms and actions. It provides a formal structure that enables stakeholders
to systematically contribute to health policy goals, the achievement of
universal health care (UHC).
The
Purpose of PPD
PPD aims to assist governments, the
private health sector, and civil society partners in aligning different
stakeholder groups for collective action in health. It seeks to understand the
conditions necessary for a successful PPD, fostering an environment where
diverse perspectives can converge to create impactful health reforms.
For
this way of working together to succeed and endure, it requires building a
foundation of trust based on effective public-private dialogue (PPD) practices.
Steps
in a PPD
- Identify Key Actors:
Ensure a balanced representation of both public and private partners.
- Select an Honest Broker:
Choose a neutral party to facilitate discussions.
- Choose a Platform:
Establish a mechanism or platform for the dialogue.
Step 2: Set Rules
- Establish Ground Rules:
Agree on how to work together and set a conflict resolution mechanism.
Step 3: Formalize Process
- Create Structure:
Mobilize resources, hire staff, and set up systems and procedures for managing
PPD operations.
Step 4: Set Direction
- Define Success:
Plan for action by defining success metrics and creating systems to collect
data and monitor progress.
Step 5: Orchestrate Partners
- Manage Commitment:
Hold partners accountable and continuously engage with them, building their
capacity to perform their roles.
Step 6: Decide Future
- Future Direction:
Decide whether to disband, sustain and refocus, or institutionalize the PPD.
While Egypt's approval of the concession
law in record time marks a significant step, the absence of a PPD raises
concerns about its successful implementation. However, it is not too late to
initiate a PPD. By doing so, Egypt can ensure that all stakeholders are
engaged, governance is strengthened, and the foundation is laid for sustainable
and effective health sector reforms. Conducting a PPD now can bridge the gaps,
address opposition concerns, and pave the way for a collaborative path forward
in the healthcare sector.
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