Delivering quality care to all mothers and newborns requires governments to engage the private sector

In low and middle income countries the private healthcare sector is increasingly the first point of contact for women, men, and children seeking healthcare, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. In countries with mixed health systems,1 comprising both public and private sectors, the private sector is a key source of maternal and newborn health services, information, and products (box 1).23 Cross sectional survey evidence from 57 low and middle income countries published in 2016 showed that the private sector accounted for a mean market share of 44% among users of antenatal care and a mean market share of 40% for care during childbirth.2 With an increasing proportion of mothers and newborns using private sector health services, researchers examining quality of care across the public and private sectors in low and middle income countries conclude that improvements in quality of care are warranted in both sectors.4Box 1What is the private health sector?The…
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