Plan, Cost, Budgeting, Health

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate

This block seminar will look at both the broad context and the practical issues related to planning, costing, and budgeting in the health sector. Specifically, the course will examine how governments: • mobilize sufficient financial resources by: (i) estimating program and project costs for given outputs of services; and (ii) identifying the sources and characteristics of funding to provide these services; • allocate these resources consistent with: (i) priorities established in health sector policies, plans, and operational directives; and (ii) management of the budgetary process in a strategic and skillful manner; and • disburse the authorized amounts effectively and efficiently, that is: (i) on the budgeted activities/items; (ii) in accordance with the approved plan to achieve the planned objectives; and (iii) within the proposed time period. The seminar will address the context for planning and budgeting in developing countries, the sources and characteristics of health sector financing, planning, costing considerations and techniques, management of the budgetary process, as well as budget performance and accountability.