[National and international collaboration for health: an example from Morocco]

Abstract

In 1997 the UN Secretary-General recommended the preparation of a document entitled the U nited Nations Development Assistance Framework [‎UNDAF]‎ at country level to harmonize the work of UN agencies, reflecting national priorities. Morocco was chosen to host a pilot project, and WHO was identified as the focal point of the theme group for health. Review of the former system of UN cooperation revealed these constraints: centralization, verticalization, lack of autonomy and decision-making, lack of quality, budget shortage, lack of political will with respect to health, weak participation of the private sector, few or no local associations, and human resources problems. The "health" theme was divided into six areas-primary health care, hospital infrastructure, STD/ HIV-AIDS, children's health, reproductive health and health education-and these subthemes were analysed. The group recommended the institution of an interagency framework to increase efficiency and decrease overlap; development of a coherent and apt public health policy; greater political and financial commitment by governments to health; greater involvement of professional and private associations; and increasing public and local collectives' participation in health issues. At the supranational level, the group called for the creation of a secretariat for cooperation within the UN system; targeting of regional associations; and greater involvement of international funds and other donors