• Role of civil society

Role of civil society in reaching the poor

This paper, published by the World Health Organization’s Training Research and Support Centre (TARSC), examines the role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in improving the responsiveness of health services, and in advocating and developing pro-poor polices that enhance health equity. Many studies have argued that CSO interventions support the health needs of poor people and reach population groups poorly served by the state, such as indigenous populations, poor rural and urban communities, those in informal settlements, and women. However, some have described CSO services whose coverage of poor communities was patchy, and which failed to offer better access to the poor than state services.

CSO contributions range from specifically providing or enhancing use of services in low-income communities, to increasing pressure and political momentum for wider pro-poor policies. The paper notes the need for more research into how CSO action organises the experience of poor people, facilitates service outreach, strengthens the voice and agency of poor people, and engages with the political and economic interests that influence health outcomes in poor communities. It concludes by noting the importance of research which is participatory and linked to action, as a way of ensuring stronger links between research and health equity outcomes.

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