Oversight and regulation

Oversight and regulation are important functions that help assure quality performance of health systems and maintain public trust through transparency and assurance. This may be accomplished at the centralized level by various means, such as through the ministry of health, parallel governing bodies and/or sub-national/district-level authorities/offices. Oversight and regulation also help to focus attention and efforts on essential improvements, as well as work to maintain gains already achieved in the quality of health services.

Within the Toolkit, related tools provide guidance and support to agencies responsible for oversight activities and those responsible for defining – and monitoring compliance with – relevant regulations. This includes tools focusing on aspects of oversight and regulation that specifically relate to quality of care. However, the application of other oversight and regulatory functions may be transferrable to this work as well. Implementing these tools is based on an understanding of the standards supporting quality of care and also requires the input and participation of local level stakeholders in facilities, as well as the communities, families and people who receive and rely on the care provided by the health system. These functions also need and benefit from data and information generated through measurement and evaluation of health services quality.