Health Systems Infrastructure

Weak health systems constrain efforts to scaling up PHC and public health services in SEAR. The challenge is to strengthen these in an equitable and accountable manner while, at the same time, effectively integrating vertical programmes into a comprehensive and horizontal ‘systems approach’. SEARO is working to provide effective and appropriate resources and tools to meet the requests of ministries of health for support in developing strategic plans to accelerate HSS.

Currently, SEAR countries are designing and implementing innovative efforts at HSS. Some examples include decentralization to improve health system responsiveness and accountability, and intervention-anchored approaches such as immunization systems strengthening. The WHO health systems strengthening (HSS) strategy will evolve continually in response to the needs of member states, incorporating the latest evidence on ‘what works and why’ derived from country experiences and from new research.

The HSS framework advanced by WHO/SEARO answers the following questions:

1. What are health systems and why are they important?

2. How are health systems performing in the SEA Region?

3. What has been the experience with health reform/health systems strengthening in countries of the SEA Region?

4. What is the significance of health systems strengthening for disease specific programmes?

5. What does this experience mean for an operational framework to initiate an integrated health systems strengthening process?

The final, fifth question is answered using the above analyses. The five core elements of the WHO/SEARO HSS framework are:

Building evidence for analysis of systems issues