In December 2008, WDI launched a new research initiative on the business of delivering health care. David Canter, former senior vice president of Pfizer Global Research and Development and director of the drug maker’s Michigan Laboratories, is the director of the Institute’s Business of Healthcare initiative.
The initiative has two streams. The first involves improving management and organizational skills in primary health care workers; and the interdependence of health care business, foreign aid and NGOs. Canter’s interest on this topic stems from the work he did in Rwanda during a six-month fellowship in 2008.
The second stream of the research initiative explores the interdependence of health care business, foreign aid and NGOs. The exploration starts with a simple observation - in the wealthier countries, the vast majority of health care (medicines, diagnostics, devices, lab testing, private hospitals and doctors’ offices, and therapists) is delivered by for-profit businesses. In the poorest countries, the health systems are strongly supported by NGOs and foreign aid.
The simple questions are:
- What happens in the middle income countries?
- How do health care businesses evolve, when do they enter the market, and what factors help or hinder their growth?
- How do NGOs plan exit strategies?
- What is happening in countries that have broken free of foreign aid?