Innovation in Namibia: preserving private health insurance and HIV/AIDS treatment.

Namibia, a lower-middle-income country in sub-Saharan Africa, suffers from a huge HIV/AIDS burden. An influx of donor funding in 2004-2007 increased support for publicly provided HIV care and treatment. This raised concern that private funding would be "crowded out," thereby leading to a reduction in the overall resources used to treat patients.

Public-private partnerships and new models of healthcare access.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this article is to lay the ground for the engagement and support of a well managed and effectively regulated private sector in the delivery of healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.

Recent Findings: About 60% of healthcare financing in sub-Saharan Africa comes from private sources, and about 50% of total health expenditure goes to private providers, often in the form of out-of-pocket contributions by the poor. Yet, regulatory frameworks are weak and private sector healthcare providers are hardly ever eligible to receive donor funds.