Kabul, Afghanistan | April 17, 2011 – USAID Deputy Mission Director Kevin Brownawell and Acting Minister of Public Health H.E. Dr. Suraya Dalil joined representatives from the U.S. Government, Ministry of Public Health, World Health Organization, and the donor community to celebrate the official launch of the Afghan National Health Accounts. The National Health Accounts is a tool specifically designed to collect and organize health-financing data, and to analyze the results for health policy, monitoring, and evaluation of health care interventions.
“As we move towards transition, it is imperative that the Afghan government has the information and tools necessary to support and sustain an effective and equitable health care system that is responsive to the needs of its people,” said Deputy Mission Director Brownawell. “The U.S. Government’s support for the development of the Afghan National Health Accounts is a part of our lasting partnership with the Ministry of Public Health and with the people of Afghanistan.”
The NHA methodology is used by more than 50 low- and middle-income countries to aid in decision-making on health financing, and to answer essential questions including who pays for healthcare, how much each source is paying, where the funds go, and what services are being supported by these resources – in both the private and public sectors.
“This first National Health Accounts represents a major step forward in the development of a complete picture of health expenditures in Afghanistan and helps us develop sound health care policies that would decrease the financial burden of healthcare on families,” said Acting Minister Dalil.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided technical support to the Ministry of Public Health for the development of the National Health Accounts and is supporting other health care financing activities through its Health Systems 20/20 project.
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For more information about USAID's programs, please visit: [http://afghanistan.usaid.gov]