Over-medication is rife with households paying for expensive drugs that they may not need. The main criteria for choosing a healthcare provider are cost, convenience and perceived quality of care. Private practitioners are often preferred as they are courteous, provide convenient services and offer flexible payment options. The public health service is the ultimate healthcare recourse for the poor and is the vehicle for delivering integrated preventive and curative primary care. The legacy of the public health system is precious and should be protected under conditions of reform.
Public services are better technically, but private services are more user-friendly.
Refer to the Centre for Health Economics website for health economics research and links. Health Reform Online is hosted by the World Bank and has links to many related resources. Check the Health Economics site for links to health economics resources on the internet. Refer to the Health Services Delivery site for information on this WHO programme. The International Clearinghouse of Health System Reform Initiatives has information on research, events and other resources.