The development path followed by the health systems of mature economies is neither feasible nor desirable for emerging economies. It is too expensive, time-consuming and inefficient. At the World Economic Forum meeting in Kigali 11th – 13th May 2016 the topic of Leapfrogging is on the agenda and Kenya is being presented as a country where the approach have proven successful.
 

Emerging economies account for 21% of total global health expenditure, and the figure is growing rapidly. By 2022, half of every dollar spent on health will be in emerging economies, presenting a grand opportunity to transform healthcare in the developing world. By “leapfrogging” over development stages that had previously been unavoidable, countries are able to speed progress towards universally accessible, affordable, high-quality services.

Building strong and sustainable health systems in emerging economies requires an approach based on innovation to accelerate development and achieve results equal to or better than those of mature economies, in less time. Leapfrogging over arduous and expensive development stages is the only practical way for emerging economies to establish better, alternative health systems.

UNFPA and the Leapfrogging agenda

In support of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ health UNFPA launched the Private Sector Health Partnership, PSHP Kenya, to improve RMNCAH in the 6 counties with the highest burden of maternal death in Kenya.

By bringing in know-how, expertise and resources from the private sector, the initiative has as goal to contribute to the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality by increasing utilization and quality of maternal and newborn health services, prevention of mother to child transmission, antiretroviral therapy and family planning services.

Read more about the World Economic Forum project