Social agenda to improve performance of health system: case study

Abstract

Empowerment on the part of the Civil Association "Hijos de Morán" of the Health System of the Morán Municipality of Lara State, Venezuela. The fundamentals of the Harol Lasswell and Douglas Torgerson methodologies were implemented to create a Social Agenda and conduct a technical assessment of the healthcare system. To develop the Social Agenda, the Logic Framework and the Public Problem Structuration methodologies were implemented. For the technical assessment, multiple instruments were generated, complying with engineering standards and medical service requirements. Finally, a five-year cost approximation was made to improve medical technologies. The Social Agenda was discussed with all the health care system stakeholders, including politicians. Decision-making was divided into two aspects: the first referred to the determinants that influence health, and the second to the constituent elements of the health system. The five-year cost necessary for improving medical technologies is USD 5 421 818. The methodology implemented is considered replicable in different regions, especially in those are where there is a consensus deficit, which unfortunately are the vast majority. Public policy recommendations are made aimed at improving the institutional performance of the health care system.