The Astana Declaration on Primary Health Care reiterated that Primary Health Care (PHC) is a cornerstone of a sustainable health system to reach universal health coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals. It encourages countries and political leaders to integrate public and private sector partnerships (PPPs) across organizations and other stakeholders. To improve the health care delivery system and to overcome the limitations of financial, technical, and human resources aspects, public-private sector partnerships should be considered for health reforms.

To discuss this topic further, EMPHNET conducted a webinar titled “Public-Private Partnership to Promote Primary Health Care Including Immunization” on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. The webinar brought experts together to reaffirm the critical role of the use of PPPs in the provision of PHC services including immunization, reported challenges, and recommendations.

The webinar was led by three public health experts, namely: Associate Director for Policy, Partnerships within the Global Immunization Division at US CDS, Ms. Gena Hill; Director of Primary Health Care (PHC), Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon, Dr. Randa Hamade; and National EPI Manager, Afghanistan, Dr. Ghulam Dastagir Nazary. Furthermore, the session was facilitated by Public Health Expert and Associate Professor at Baghdad University, Dr. Faris Lami.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Lami welcomed the webinar participants and speakers and introduced the webinar’s objectives. He then handed the floor to the first speaker Ms. Hill who presented the importance of public-private partnerships at a global level.

Ms. Hill started her presentation by stating the importance of funding partnerships. She then discussed some key elements that make the PPPs successful. These elements include common vision, mission, and objectives, an agreement on core strategies and goals, recognition of respective strengths and engagement of diverse talents, flexibility, and innovation, amongst others.

She then shed light on two of the initiatives that CDC spearheads with other partners. The first of these initiatives is the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), while the second is the Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI). She further stated that one of the elements of the success of the initiatives was the partners’ support from planning, management, and administration to vaccination financing. Ms. Hill also showcased the new microneedle patch being developed by the (CDC) as a game changer that could make vaccinating people against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases easier.

The second presenter, Primary Healthcare and EPI Coordinator in the Ministry of Health, Lebanon, Dr. Rima Shaya, presented on behalf of Dr. Hamade, she briefly introduced primary healthcare in Lebanon. She then moved on to present the expanded program on immunization and its national and international partners and the support they provide in the area of essential vaccines. She added that it is essential to integrate the public-private partnerships, especially during Lebanon’s economic crisis. She then shared some of the outcomes and achievements made in this area at several levels.

Regarding challenges, Dr. Shaya said that Lebanon faced several challenges such as vaccine stock-outs in the private sector, geographic and security barriers, limited awareness, and increased operational costs. Finally, Dr. Shaya provided insights on several promising interventions such as strengthening the collaboration with physicians in the private sector.

Presenting on behalf of Dr. Nazary, Polio and Immunization Specialist, GHD|EMPHNET, Dr. Sardar Parwiz talked about private sector engagement in the health sector of Afghanistan. He began by providing an overview of the health reform including private sector and how public-private partnerships are the backbone of the health system in all countries. He also discussed the financing of primary healthcare services in Afghanistan and the technical support that the country is receiving from partnerships and donors in terms of access, coverage, and quality of health services. Furthermore, he said that some of the challenges faced by Afghanistan include coverage comparison between children living in urban and rural, and Mal-distribution of HFs.

He then shared an assessment that GHD|EMPHNET recently conducted in Afghanistan on public-private engagement titled “Rapid Assessment on Public-Private Engagement in Paktya province, Afghanistan” Finally, Dr. Parwiz recommended engagement of community elders and local influencers in the selection process of PHSPs and fair selection of PHSPs for improvement of PHSP.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session facilitated by Dr. Lami in which participants engaged with speakers. The webinar was attended by over one hundred participants, deeming it another success in the EMPHNET WEBi Series.