AN OVERVIEW OF HEALTH IN THE TRANSITION COUNTRIES

Many of the countries moving towards a market-based economy have faced significant problems of equity and access to basic health services during the transition years, as a result of diminishing public resources available for health care, increasing user charges and rising poverty levels. This chapter, based on an online dossier in the Health Systems Resource Guide (www.eldis.org/healthsytems), provides an overview of these issues and considers policy responses to them. Summaries and full text versions of all of the references, as well as further readings and other resources, can be accessed freely via the online version, at www.eldis.org/ healthsystems/te.