Health systems strengthening
Health systems strengthening is a term used in global health that roughly means to improve the health care system of a country. Within this general definition, it can mean increasing funding for health infrastructure, improving health policy, trying to achieve universal healthcare, or any number of other health measures.
There has been some effort to use a systems thinking approach to health systems strengthening.
Usage
Various health organizations have claimed to use health systems strengthening. Some of these are:- World Health Organization
- US Agency for International Development ; USAID states that HSS has been "at the core of mission in health for the last 20 years", and defines HSS as "initiating activities in the six internationally accepted core HSS functions – human resources for health; health finance; health governance; health information; medical products, vaccines, and technologies; and service delivery".
- GAVI Alliance
- The Global Fund
- PEPFAR
- Roll Back Malaria
- Stop TB Partnership
Reception
Marchal et al., writing in 2009, called the term "vague" and argued that "most current HSS strategies are selective, and their effects may undermine progress towards the long-term goal of effective, high-quality, and inclusive health systems."
Peter Berman, who was the lead health economist at the World Bank, has pointed out that "Almost any support to health interventions can be considered HSS".