This report summarises the study which aimed to: assess the extent to which Gavi HSS support provided to DPR Korea during this period achieved, or is on track to achieve, its objectives; determine to what extent it has contributed to strengthening the health system of the country; identify issues encountered during implementation that have affected the overall results; and share the lessons learnt for informed decision-making with regard to future support from Gavi and other international donors to the DPR Korea. This study was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) DPR Korea.
This report includes an in-depth discussion of factors and variables that affect unit costs, including labor (the most prominent), fixed costs, and potential contribution to epidemic control (e.g. achievement of targets). Key factors impacting input costs include staffing number and type, and capital costs, output costs vary based on factors including number and type of activities, innovations, and capacity to achieve targets. However, assessment of technical efficiency by model and site posed challenges. Assessed sites provide different activities along the services cascade depending on KP group, geographical location, and other contextual factors. This variation also makes it difficult to determine specific drivers of unit costs. In addition, differenced in number and type of program inputs and outputs for activities result in variations in unit costs.