Marketization of Health Care: A Critical Analysis

ABSTRACT

The global economic decline in 1970s and 1980s prompted some developing countries to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank for help to prop up their ailing economies. The IMF/World Bank responded by introducing Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) in these countries. These programmes involved complete overhaul of economic policies. The countries had to liberalise their economies in order to create a conducive climate for investment and growth. This was to be achieved through currency devaluation and abolition of foreign exchange controls; raising interest rates and abolishing subsidies and price controls. The allocation of resources to the social sectors was to be cut. One of the conditions contained in these adjustment programmes was the condition that user-fees be charged for social services