”Many believe the poor should receive unlimited free care but we are fast realising this costs more than most governments can afford, and outcomes and quality can be low. In my experience, the poor are happy to pay affordable prices. They like being customers, able to demand high-quality services and dignified treatment rather than beggars who must accept whatever is on offer.”
”In many developing countries, when people first seek diagnosis and treatment for an illness they visit a private pharmacist, nurse, midwife, doctor, a drug seller or traditional practitioner. People use these private sector providers (PSPs) because they are often nearer, open for longer hours, and are seen as more considerate and sometimes less expensive than their public sector counterparts. PSPs are often a significant part of the health system in developing countries. Consequently they are an important focus for governments which aim to improve the performance of their health system.”
Det första citatet är Muhammed Yunus, fredspristagare och mikrolånspionjär. Det senare kommer från WHO. Privata vårdaktörer fyller alltså ett tomrum där de offentliga misslyckas. Världens allra fattigaste människor driver – med sina plånböcker – på för valfrihet och flexibilitet i välfärden. Det kan vara värt att hålla i huvudet när vinstdebatten blossar som värst.