Fiscal space for health in resource-poor countries

Overview

The rationale to develop national health financing systems, particularly in low-income countries, is now  well established.These countries are challenged by a huge health financing gap since a large number of them suffer from the twin disadvantages of high disease burden (hence, higher need  for resources) and low financial capacity or income to address it. Government spending is crucial to ensure better access to essential health services and financial risk protection since it is a stable and sustainable source of financing. However, these countries face challenges in finding adequate  fiscal resources or fiscal space for health. 

This report is part of a series, The World Health Report 2010 Background Papers, which were written to inform the process of developing the key messages of the World Health Report 2010: Health systems financing: The path to universal coverage.