Political economy analysis of primary health care-oriented reforms: a case study on contracting district health systems for primary care services in Thailand

Overview

This case study set out to identify the political economy factors that shaped the trajectory of Thailand’s decades-long application of the primary health care (PHC) approach, reinforced through Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme for universal health coverage. The case study examines the political economy factors related to decisions on choices of health care providers for contracting primary care services and purchasing mechanisms for primary care services. The case study is part of the Political Economy Analysis of Primary Health Care–oriented Reforms Country Case Study Series of WHO’s PHC Implementation Solutions Initiative. The initiative aims to explore how countries have achieved success in scaling up PHC-oriented health systems by documenting and sharing lessons from the vantage point of policy-makers and practitioners across contexts.