Content Overview

The catalytic role of health systems strengthening (HSS) for the improvement of populations’ health and the protection against health-related financial risks in low- and middle-income countries is well-documented. During the last few decades international donor and technical agencies intermittently used disease-specific („vertical“) and system-specific („horizontal“) strategies for providing health support to LMICs. While epidemiotic impact of the former has been impressive, sustaining results, due to poorly performing health systems, has been a challenge. The integrated approach has recently emerged as a more effective strategy, which implies designing system-related solutions to address disease-related challenges. This approach has been embedded in the global Sustainable Development Goals framework (SDGs 2016-20130), which places increased emphasis on achieving universal health coverage through improved performance of countries‘ health systems. This course aims to provide participants with the necessary tools to develop and successfully implement HSS interventions in LMICs in order to maximize impact of national disease-control programmes, such as HIV, TB, malaria and maternal & child health

Course Topics

• Overview of health systems and health systems strengthening in LMICs
• Comparative health systems and reforms in LMICs
• Diagnosing gaps in health systems performance
• National health strategy as the entry point for health systems strengthening programs
• How does the health system deliver healthcare? Understanding the supply factors that are necessary for healthcare delivery
• Resources for an effectively performing health system: Human resources, money, data
• How does health systems strengthening maximize the impact of national disease programs?
• Creating enabling partnership environments for health systems strengthening at the national and global levels
• Health systems strengthening in challenging operating environments
• Monitoring and evaluation of HSS programs

Learning Objectives

This course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to develop and to successfully implement Health systems strengthening (HSS) interventions in low/middle-income countries (LMICs), in order to maximize impact of national disease-control programs. At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Critically discuss theoretical and practical aspects of HSS in the context of LMICs, including multiple conceptual frameworks, strategic approaches to HSS, and political and economic aspects that determine health policy choices
• Apply operational aspects of HSS, including diagnosing the gaps in health systems performance, designing high-impact interventions and measuring performance of health systems strengthening programs
• Examine the global health landscape relevant to HSS, including global health funding architecture, partnership mechanisms and technical support mechanisms