Health Systems Development

What is it?

A hot-button term in the international health community, health systems development, or health systems strengthening, refers to programs that address the actual infrastructure of health care delivery.

Brief History

After their Colonial eras ended, many newly independent governments took control of their national health systems, with help from missions and other private institutions. Over time, population growth, poverty and increasing disease overpowered these governments' capacity to manage the tremendous health needs of their populations.

Observing that conditions were not improving, international organizations began asking questions. How are health care services delivered to the people? Are finances properly managed? What about training and human resources? How do countries handle medical supplies and supply chain management? How can we help?

The answers revealed that the troubling health care situation in developing countries was not just financial in nature, but because the health systems themselves needed to be strengthened and better organized.

What We Do

IMA World Health's health systems development programs operate on the premise that when services are better financed, budgeted, planned, implemented and monitored—systematically—then the overall quality of health care will improve as well, allowing the system to serve more people, and better.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Project AXxes

Through the multifaceted USAID-funded Project AXxes, IMA has since 2006 worked to improve the availability, quality and capacity of overall health care among eight million people in heavily distressed post-conflict regions in eastern DRC.
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Republic of South Sudan: SuddHealth

Since 2008, IMA has managed a comprehensive program called SuddHealth. Funded by the World Bank/Multi Donor Trust Fund, SuddHealth seeks to increase access to essential health services to at least 50% of people in the Jonglei and Upper Nile states.
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Haiti: ACCorD

Following the 2010 earthquake, IMA conducted an assessment in Haiti to determine the best course of action for structuring an overall health care development plan. With a group of partners, IMA is developing an ACCORD (Area Cooperation and Coordination for Development) coalition to create and execute long-term health zone development activities.

Where We Work