Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
wHo is concerned about the effects of this trend on the local population and the
impacts of internal brain drain, equity, and price.
the basic premise put forward by the wHo is that national stewardship of
the health system in the context of the GatS requires an understanding of the
current and potential effects of trade in health-related services on a country's health
systems and policy. a country must get its own house in order before inviting in the
neighbours. this is also true of the need for developing a strong and sustainable
population health policy before integrating one's country into the wto (see
appendix 13-2).
If a country opens sectors up to trade, proper policies must be in place to
protect population health. GatS provide countries with choices and does not force
them to make liberalisation commitments that are not in their best interest. If a
country is unsure of the effect, it is fully within its rights to decline to make legally
binding commitments under GatS. Health policy principles that should guide the
liberalisation of health-related services include the involvement of both civil society
and private industry to ensure participation of stakeholders toward achieving national
goals. Improving access and affordability of health-related services should also be a
goal of the liberalisation process.
the GatS constitutes a very important trade agreement from the perspective of
health. The interface between the agreement and health will be most significantly
shaped by the ongoing and subsequent efforts to liberalise trade in services
progressively. In light of this reality, countries need to develop informed and
sophisticated approaches to managing the GatS process, its results, and future
liberalisation efforts.
Working Toward Trade and Health Policy Coherence
the wHo works to achieve greater policy coherence between trade and health policy
so that international trade and trade rules maximise health benefits and minimise
health risks, especially for poor and vulnerable populations. the purpose is to
strengthen capacity in ministries of health so they can work effectively with their
colleagues in the ministries of trade, commerce, and finance to shape the trade policy
environment for health. the objective is to support member states to achieve greater
coherence between international trade and health policy, focussing on building the
knowledge base and to provide training and country support to strengthen capacity
within the wHo and among wHo member states to act on the implications of trade
and trade agreements for health.
Policy coherence requires a common understanding of the key trade and health
policy issues through ongoing dialogue and interaction. It also requires a clear
commitment and ministry of health leadership to work toward trade and health policies
that mutually support human development objectives. Sustainable institutional
mechanisms and the use of innovative instruments and appropriate incentives are
necessary to enhance coherence. early and effective stakeholder involvement builds
