Authors ' conclusions Training probably improves quality of care ( i.e. adherence to recommended practice ) , regulation may improve quality of care , and we are uncertain about the effects of co‐ordination on quality of private for‐profit healthcare services in LMICs .
Background Governments use different approaches to ensure that private for‐profit healthcare services meet certain quality st and ards .
Such government guidance , referred to as public stewardship , encompasses government policies , regulatory mechanisms , and implementation strategies for ensuring accountability in the delivery of services .
However , the effectiveness of these strategies in low‐ and middle‐income countries ( LMICs ) have not been the subject of a systematic review .
Objectives To assess the effects of public sector regulation , training , or co‐ordination of the private for‐profit health sector in low‐ and middle‐income countries .
Introducing rapid diagnostic tests for malaria into registered drug shops in Uganda: lessons learned and policy implications
Background Malaria is a major public health problem in Ug and a and the current policy recommends introduction of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria ( RDTs ) to facilitate effective case management . However , provision of RDTs in drug shops potentially raises a new set of issues , such as adherence to RDTs results , management of severe illnesses , referral of patients , and relationship with caretakers . The main objective of the study was to examine the impact of introducing  RDTs in registered drug shops in Ug and a and document lessons and policy implication s for future scale-up of malaria control in the private health sector . Methods A cluster-r and omized trial introducing RDTs into registered drug shops was implemented in central Ug and a from October 2010 to July 2012 . An evaluation was undertaken to assess the impact and the processes involved with the introduction of RDTs into drug shops , the lessons learned and policy implication s. Results Introducing RDTs into drug shops was feasible . To scale-up this intervention however , drug shop practice s need to be regulated since the registration process was not clear , supervision was inadequate and record keeping was poor . Although initially it was anticipated that introducing a new practice of record keeping would be cumbersome , but at evaluation this was not found to be a constraint . This presents an important lesson for introducing health management information system into drug shops . Involving stakeholders , especially the district health team , in the design was important for ownership and sustainability . The involvement of village health teams in community sensitization to the new malaria treatment and diagnosis policy was a success and this strategy is recommended for future interventions . Conclusion Introducing RDTs into drug shops was feasible and it increased appropriate treatment of malaria with artemisinin-based combination therapy . It is anticipated that the lessons presented will help better implementation of similar interventions in the private sector
Authors ' conclusions Training probably improves quality of care ( i.e. adherence to recommended practice ) , regulation may improve quality of care , and we are uncertain about the effects of co‐ordination on quality of private for‐profit healthcare services in LMICs .
Background Governments use different approaches to ensure that private for‐profit healthcare services meet certain quality st and ards .
Such government guidance , referred to as public stewardship , encompasses government policies , regulatory mechanisms , and implementation strategies for ensuring accountability in the delivery of services .
However , the effectiveness of these strategies in low‐ and middle‐income countries ( LMICs ) have not been the subject of a systematic review .
Objectives To assess the effects of public sector regulation , training , or co‐ordination of the private for‐profit health sector in low‐ and middle‐income countries .