ИСТИНА

The main function of target-based health policies is to establish a clear link between targets and outcomes making health services accountable, thus providing a sound basis for implementing health care reforms. After the collapse of the Soviet Union a number of attempts were undertaking to develop specific health programmes. The 2-year health care modernization program, initiated in Russia 2011 was aimed to significantly improve health system’s efficiency and quality and access to health care in Russia. It had three main objectives: re-equipment of health services, developing information technologies, including use of Internet and electronic document workflow, working out standards of care. The main responsibility for development and implementation of the modernization program was delegated to the regions, which develop own roadmaps based on the specifics of their economic and social situation. The paper evaluates the ideology and results of the modernization programme and its impact on health care system in Russia in terms of increasing its efficiency. The analysis reveals that targets can serve the purpose of improving outcomes only if they are properly designed, the process and responsibilities are clear. The case of health modernisation programe demonstrates that the targets set were of a technical nature and though they were generally fulfilled- with a varying regional success - they were not properly linked to more strategic systemic outcomes. Therefore, to fully utilise the potential of specific health target programmes there is a need to develop an integrated approach, embedding them into strategic health policy framework.