Knowledge Library

The World Health Organization has released a Handbook for national quality policy and strategy, as part of its Global initiative on national quality policy and strategy. Such policy and strategy can help clarify the structures, roles and responsibilities within national quality efforts, support the institutionalization of a culture of quality, and secure buy-in from health system leaders and stakeholders.

The handbook outlines eight essential elements to be considered by teams developing national quality policy and strategy: national health goals and priorities; local definition of quality; stakeholder mapping and engagement; situational analysis; governance and organizational structure; improvement methods and interventions; health management information systems and data systems; quality indicators and core measures. The handbook was co-developed with countries each finding themselves at different stages of the development and execution of national quality policies and strategies.