Technical Tracks
The Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN) is structured to respond to the interests and demands of the participant countries and to encourage the participation of partners who can play a meaningful role in the joint learning process.
Network activities are focused around the four technical areas. Partner organizations with expertise in each of these technical areas collaborate with Results for Development Institute (R4D) to lead “technical tracks” on each of these focus areas. JLN members engage with each other to share experience and jointly problem solve around the following technical areas:
Provider Payment Mechanisms: The first workshop of a series of ongoing engagements around the design and implementation of provider payment systems was held in Bangkok in December of 2010. Dr. Cheryl Cashin will be leading the track going forward, in collaboration with R4D. In the fall of 2011, the track is beginning to determine detailed needs of the JLN countries using a new diagnostic tool, which will help set the activities of the track over the next 2 years.
Expanding Coverage: The JLN hosted a cross-regional workshop on Expanding Coverage to the Informal Sector in Kenya in June 2011 to share best practices and innovative ideas for how to overcome challenges in expanding coverage. R4D will continue to lead the work on this track going forward. R4D is currently determining the primary areas of interest countries wish to engage upon related to expanding coverage.
Information Technology: Over the past year, track leads PATH and PharmAccess have been working with JLN countries to develop shared business requirements for health insurance information systems. The track will start its second phase of work shortly, to continue to engage with JLN countries on the diverse set of technical and policy decisions that they are facing around IT systems.
Quality: Led by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in conjunction with NICE International, the quality track is starting work with JLN countries in the fall of 2011, focusing identifying successful strategies for linking financing and quality, and developing an adaptable framework to organize and measure progress in each country.