Since its independence, the Government of Sri Lanka has made it a priority to develop an equitable health-care system with a focus on primary health care. As a result, health indicators are excellent, particularly relative to comparable low- or lower-middle-income countries. Immunization has been an integrated component of the primary health care program for 20 years.
Through this assessment of financing issues in the national immunization program of Sri Lanka and a review of existing documentation, this paper seeks to identify the following:
- the financial status of the program including financing gaps
- future funding requirements for a routine (or expanded) program
- sustainable financial options for strengthening the program
- anticipated and potential funding sources
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Background
- Socioeconomic Situation
- Demographic and Health Indicators
- Health System
- National Immunization Program
- Future Financing
- Vaccine management and the cold chain
- Quality and community commitment
- Equitable access
- Safety of injections
- Introduction of new vaccines
- Disease control initiatives
- Financing Needs, Sources and Gaps
- Policy and Financing Options
- Financing Options
- Recommendations