IFC, DFID to support health public-private partnerships in low-income countries

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support advisory services for healthcare public-private partnerships in low-income and fragile states.

This will help governments introduce, evaluate, and improve purchasing of healthcare services from private sector providers under a range of PPP options, said the IFC in a statement.

The facility will contribute to more efficient health sector spending by fostering increased transparency, competition, and best practices in structuring and managing PPPs.

“This pilot programme gives us the opportunity to implement PPPs and determine how they might fill the large gaps left by traditional public service provision,” said Laurence Carter, director of IFC Advisory Services in Public-Private Partnerships.

Head of DFID’s Private Sector Department, Gavin McGillivray indicated that the programme will help governments be better prepared to get the best value and results from contracting private health providers.

By Ekow Quandzie