Policy and planning refer to functions that must be developed and supported throughout the health system. All health staff need to understand what the health sector is trying to do in its overall policy and help promote community awareness of this vision for health. The work of policy and planning has its focus in MOHP’s Policy, Planning and International Cooperation Division (PPICD). An important aspect of work in this area is the need to communicate across government the particularities of the health sector and what is essential to fulfilling its role in implementing the stated right of all citizens to health and health care, for example the pivotal role of districts in health service delivery. An area in great need of attention for policy development is the relationship with, and regulation of, the private sector.

Health policy refers to decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society. However, policy is not merely a statement from the higher levels of an organisation, but also may be seen as an ongoing process in which dialogue within the organisation results in continuous debate about and improvement to policies. Health planning is the process of allocating resources to best meet organisational goals within given resource constraints, and the subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the results achieved, all of which feeds into subsequent plans. The ultimate need is to develop the capacity of the entire health sector to undertake work in these areas and to understand the role of different organisational levels.

Key activities being supported by NHSSP TA include reviewing National Health Policy (1991), developing new policies for Public-Private Partnership and Urban Health Care. Efforts to improve Aid Effectiveness are also being made, primarily through support to the Joint Annual Review (JAR) process. On the horizon lie challenges related to impending Federalism including decentralisation, devolution of power and resources, including the management of health personnel.

• Nepal health sector strategy - implementation plan - 2016-2021 (February, 2017)
• Guidelines for Preparing AWPB - Nepali
• Develop Guideline on Preparing AWPB in Health Sector (2016)
• Nepal health sector strategy (2015-2020) - English version (2015)
• Nepal health sector strategy (2072-2077) - Nepali version (2015)
• NHSP-3 process design workshop report (February, 2014)
• Guidelines for holding effective meetings (January, 2013)
• Regional health directorates system strengthening programme review (April, 2012)
• Designing federal health structures in Nepal review (April, 2012)
• Review of MoHP committees (2012)
• Review of national health policy, 1991 (August, 2012)
• Minutes of consultative meeting on regional health system strengthening (May, 2012)
• Regional support: Capacity assessment for health systems strengthening (February, 2011)
• Millennium development goals - Needs assessment for Nepal 2011 (2010)
• Health policy and planning: Capacity assessment for health system strengthening (September, 2010)

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