The role of public-private partnerships in NCD prevention and control

Abstract

NCDs represent a complex challenge for both governments and the private sector. By leveraging the strengths of the public and private sectors simultaneously, public-private partnerships (PPPs) can deliver results where governments or the private sector alone might fail. In the past, PPPs have been widely used for infrastructure projects, but are now increasingly being used to improve health and healthcare systems, including NCD prevention and control. Four business models for PPPs are described, along with principles that are required for developing successful PPPs, for example the credibility of the partners and the importance of engaging representatives from the general public or the civil society as partners. Examples of NCDs that can support the prevention and control of NCDs are provided. The chapter concludes with a set of key issues for building and sustaining PPPs, including governance, the need to align interests, the importance of recognizing externalities, measuring performance and building capacity to develop and implement these partnerships.