Health Services Planning and Budgeting

Health services planning and budgeting involve the systematic process of setting health objectives, determining resource requirements, and allocating funds to achieve desired health outcomes. This topic covers needs assessment, priority setting, strategic planning, operational budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation within the health sector. For Zambian university students in health economics and management, these skills are fundamental for roles in Ministry of Health, district health offices, and hospital administrations. It includes techniques like program budgeting, zero-based budgeting, and results-based financing. Effective planning and budgeting ensure that limited resources are directed to high-impact interventions, supporting Universal Health Coverage goals in Zambia. Mastery enables graduates to contribute to evidence-based policy, efficient resource use, and accountability in public health spending.