Malaria-related commodities such as bed nets, insecticides and diagnostic tests are generally more readily available in the private sector. Demand for the private sector is high too - the vast majority of individuals first go to private sector pharmacies, most likely because of convenience, and perception that the sector has more availability of good quality medicines, despite higher prices. Meanwhile, the public sector is seen as difficult to physically access, with inadequate medicines and low-quality services. How do we move beyond this traditional dichotomy of pubic versus private? At the meeting, several possibilities for collaboration were discussed.

We should look at alternative mechanisms of collecting, pooling and channelling money and other resources through philanthropy, private health insurance firms and innovative funds. Work is this area is preliminary, and invites more innovative thinking and exploration. — blogs.adb.org/blog