Johannesburg, 1 September 2003 -- African governments have been urged to increase funding for their health sectors, allocate more funds to hospitals, desist from embarking on 'prestigious' health projects, and focus more on the viability, usefulness, equity and sustainability of health investments. 
These recommendations are contained in a report prepared by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa for Health Ministers meeting for their 53rd Regional Committee for Africa session from 1 to 5 September in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The report calls for the enactment of appropriate health legislations on hospital development by countries in the Region, and the setting up of effective mechanisms for monitoring health development.

It notes that both the scope and quality of care in the Region's hospitals had deteriorated despite hospital investments in human resources, infrastructure and equipment.

The report says that many countries spend the greater portion of their health budget on hospitals, yet, real needs remain under-funded. Human resources remain inadequate, and shortages of medical equipment, essential medicines and consumables persist, resulting in unsatisfactory provision of care with subsequent client dissatisfaction, high mortality rates and hospital-acquired infections.

It proposes a set of principles to guide countries in the development and strengthening of hospital services that respond to clients needs, guaranteed equity, sustainable health financing (including risk sharing to protect the poor), and community participation.

Eight implementation orientations to ensure that hospitals undertake their care functions are contained in the report.

These are:

• hospital l development with government stewardship and effective community participation;
• enhanced collaboration between hospitals and other levels of the health system; 
• development of human resources for health; 
• quality of care as central to hospital development; 
• improved hospital financing mechanisms; 
• improved organization and management of hospitals; 
• improved responsiveness; 
• collaboration between traditional medicine and hospitals.

For further information, please contact

Samuel T. Ajibola
Public Information and Communication Unit 
World Health Organization - Regional Office for Africa 
P.O. Box 6, Brazzaville, Congo. 
E-mail: ajibolas [at] afro.who.int
 Tel:+ 47 241 39378; Fax: + 47 241 39513
In Johannesburg: 072 722 5680