Decentralisation in a developing country: the experience of Papual New Guinea and its health service

This book is an excellent and detailed example of decentralization in practice, written by professionals closely involved in implementing these policies over several years. The authors are very clear on the general lessons that could be of great value to other countries adopting similar policies. As they point out, the present challenge after more than a decade of experience, is not to recentralize. It is to continue searching, with political support, for the balance between the 'centre and the periphery' that produces the greatest benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea, including improvements in their health status