Insights for the future of health system partnerships in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract Background: Despite growing support for the private sector involvement in the provision of public health services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), a lack of clear information on the future of the provision of such services restricts the ability of policy-makers to assess how feasible integration between public and private actors may be, especially in LMICs.Methods: This paper presents a structured literature review performed to comprehend the dynamics and boundaries of public-private partnerships for the healthcare sector in LMICs. A total of 723 articles indexed in Scopus were initially submitted to bibliometric analysis. Finally, 148 articles published in several academic journals were selected for independent full-text review by two researchers. Content analysis was made in order to minimise mistakes in interpreting the findings of studies in the sample.Results: Public-private partnerships identified through the content analysis were categorised into four research areas: 1) Transfer of resources; 2) Co-production of goods, services and health practices; 3) Governance networks; 4) Criteria for successful partnership development. The results provide a useful overview of the phenomenon and a useful baseline for policy implications of evolution of partnerships in LMIC healthcare sectors.Conclusions: The structured literature Review thus carries out a mapping of the areas and sectors where governments need support, and a careful analysis of all those factors which may or not facilitate a public-private partnership in LMICs.