Regional Dynamics

As the global institutional network for social health protection (SHP) and health financing (HF), the P4H Network focuses on country-led work. Yet besides global and national collaborations, there are regional needs and opportunities for collaborations in SHP and HF. And regions include many stakeholders and dynamics already in place. This is why the P4H Network embraces its mandate at a regional level, clearly stated in its terms of reference, which includes potential engagement with regional organizations, bodies and institutions.

As with P4H country focal persons (P4H-CFPs), P4H regional focal persons (P4H-RFPs ) are deployed or appointed. Currently one P4H-RFP is based in Bangkok and one, in Cairo. Regions are also distinguished in the P4H Steering Group, where one of the four constituencies is regional development banks, who collectively hold two voting seats. Currently, three regional development banks are P4H members: the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Council of Europe Development Bank.

Sharing, learning and collaborating at a regional level is common practice in the SHP and HF communities. The P4H Network defines several regions based on their character, history and internal dynamics and the impetus of the P4H Coordination Desk. P4H enhances various collaborations in Asia. The region that comprises the Community of Independent States and additional countries (CIS +) is also very active, as is francophone Africa. Latin America & Caribbean and anglophone Africa are regions where the P4H Network’s contributions are developing.

Through these regional groups, P4H supports regional and interregional experience and knowledge sharing. Instrumental stakeholders engaged in this sharing include organizations, countries, and individuals in the regions. P4H country members and regional members in academia and the P4H-CFPs and P4H-RFP working in a region play key roles. Activities with regional groups also create opportunities for cross-regional connections.