To support the National Department of Health’s policy development, the WHO Country Office commissioned a review of policies and programs used to improve the quality of medical care and reduce practice variation.  The review found that quality of care is measurable, and variations in practice have been documented in most countries. Variations in the use of cost‐effective health procedures have important implications for efficacy and cost, and health outcomes. Variations in the use of cost‐effective health procedures have important implications for efficacy and cost, and health outcomes. The review found that health provider practice, quality, and performance reflect not only clinical competency but also provider and service payments mechanisms, patient decision‐making, and the overarching educational, policy, and regulatory frameworks upon which the health system is based.