Table 4 Priorities for short- term policy briefs and specific evidence needs*

1. National health insurance and universal health coverage

Means to implement effective national health insurance schemes

Accurate estimation of health utilization and expenditure from the private and public sectors including out-of-pocket expenditure.

2. Healthcare quality

Ways to improve the quality of service delivery including Accreditation strategies.

Ways that can enable the use of performance indicators to improve quality.

Information on patient satisfaction.

Information on performance indicators (clinical, human resources productivity and performance).

3. Human resources for health

Effective incentives mechanisms for the management of healthcare workforce including training, salaries, and performance-based payments.

Means to reduce disparities among the distribution of healthcare workers in order to meet national population needs.

4. Financial resources and allocation: budgeting and government health expenditure

Means to allocate health budgets and spending based on population needs and priorities.

Information on the supply system to hospitals and healthcare centers.

5. Maternal and child mortality

Ways to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

6. Management of healthcare facilities

Ways to better manage healthcare facilities by the state.

7. Building national information systems

Means to develop national information systems for the population.

8. Non-communicable diseases with a focus on cancer and diabetes

Means to improve accessibility and services of programs for non-communicable diseases.