CHAPTER FOUR What Re ources are leelee Providing health care efficiently requires financial resources to be properly balanced among the many inputs used to deliver health services. Large num- bers of physicians, nurses and other staff are useless without adequately built, equipped and supplied facilities. Available resources should be allo cated both to investments in new skills, facilities and equipment, and to maintenance of the existing infrastructure. Moreover, these delicate balances must be maintained both over time and across different geographical areas In practice, imbalances between investment and recurrent expenditures and ng the different categories of inputs are frequent, an satisfactory performance. New investment choices must be made carefully to reduce the risk of future imbalances, and the existing mix of inputs needs to be monitored on a regular basis. Clear policy guidance and incentives for chasers and providers are necessary if they are to adopt efficient prac- ces in response to health needs and expectationWhat Resources are Needed? 73 CHAPTER FOUR
hat esources are eeded? Providing health care efficiently requires financial resources to be properly balanced among the many inputs used to deliver health services. Large num￾bers of physicians, nurses and other staff are useless without adequately built, equipped and supplied facilities. Available resources should be allo￾cated both to investments in new skills, facilities and equipment, and to maintenance of the existing infrastructure. Moreover, these delicate balances must be maintained both over time and across different geographical areas. In practice, imbalances between investment and recurrent expenditures and among the different categories of inputs are frequent, and create barriers to satisfactory performance. New investment choices must be made carefully to reduce the risk of future imbalances, and the existing mix of inputs needs to be monitored on a regular basis. Clear policy guidance and incentives for purchasers and providers are necessary if they are to adopt efficient prac￾tices in response to health needs and expectations. 73