Health system governance: Risk mapping approach

Abstract

Health system governance can be based on various decision support tools. Among these tools, risk mapping is crucial. Risks are probable events that have a negative impact on the performance of organizations. Informed decisions supporting good governance can be made after a risk assessment. In certain areas of governance of the public and parapublic sectors, the legislator has made risk assessment a regulatory requirement. However, stakeholders, unaware of its issues and managerial implications, are slow to systematize its application.

The objectives of this work were to identify potential risks that the Directorate of Planning, Research and Statistics may face and to document the importance of risk mapping in governance decision-making.

We held around ten interviews, three meetings and a workshop with stakeholders involving fifteen key agents mainly working on the study site. These hearings enabled the identification, qualitative assessment and analysis of potential risks.

Different types of risks have been identified. These included strategic, organizational, financial, IT and operational risks. This proactive approach allowed the Planning, Research and Statistics Department to decide on the implementation of means of control and resilience in the face of potential risks.

The inventory of these risks proves that mapping is indeed a decision-making tool in terms of health system governance.

Keywords: Governance, Health, Mapping, Risks

JEL classification: I118

Paper type : Empirical research