Public-Private Partnerships in the Provision of Healthcare Services for Sustainable Development in Tanzania: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on the concept and practice of public-private partnership (PPP). Specifically, the paper reviews theoretical aspects of the concept and practice of PPP and the rationale and potential of PPP in the provision of healthcare services for sustainable development in Tanzania. Using a documentary review research method, different search engines and databases were used in information search from peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, among others. The search strategy involved keywords such as 'Tanzanian healthcare', 'healthcare', 'health insurance', 'public-private partnerships', 'sustainable healthcare provision' and 'sustainable development goals'.The literature search identified a total of 1,600 articles associated with a set of specific search terms. Only fifty (50) studies met the final criteria for review. Articles included were those published from the year 2000 to the present. PPPs are potentially essential tools to increase the delivery of public goods and services because the private sector is capable of complementing resources from the government. Private sector investors can substantially participate in the achievement of SDGs by complementing the available public physical and non-physical resources such as finances, expertise, health sector workforce, and readiness for risk-taking. PPP in the health sector needs to be promoted because sustainable development needs a healthy population, which needs access to essential healthcare services to live healthily.