Systems for Health: Exploring Diverse Pathways to Strengthening the Building Blocks
1
Global Programs, Children International, Kansas City, United States
2
Health and Nutrition, Action Against Hunger USA, Washington DC, United States
3
Health and Governance, CARE Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1779
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Strengthening health systems is critical for sustainable and equitable health outcomes, but pathways must adapt to each context1. Organizations increasingly use community driven, governance focused, and equity oriented approaches to reinforce the WHO health system building blocks. This session highlights how Action Against Hunger (ACF), CARE, and Children International tailor Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) strategies to diverse settings while supporting government led systems.
METHODS:
Using the WHO framework (service delivery; workforce; information systems; medicines; financing; governance and leadership)2 and the central role of communities3, the session compares three case studies. ACF Somalia applies an integrated model spanning health, nutrition, WASH, and protection, using fixed facilities, climate resilient infrastructure, and community outreach. CARE Malawi uses social accountability tools—youth led Community Score Cards, advocacy, and multi stakeholder engagement—to strengthen governance and connect community priorities to policy processes. Children International Dominican Republic employs youth led accountability mechanisms, collecting evidence through surveys, interviews, and dialogues to drive service improvements.
RESULTS:
Across contexts, these approaches enhanced service quality, responsiveness, and system resilience. ACF’s collaboration with government improved epidemic preparedness, infection prevention, continuity of care, and community health worker capacity. CARE’s accountability efforts helped address drug stockouts, integration gaps, financing challenges, and youth friendly service needs. Children International’s youth generated data informed improvements in provider responsiveness, access to medicines, and facility level service delivery. Key enabling factors included strong NGO–government partnerships, meaningful community engagement, context specific adaptations, and sustained investment in frontline workers.
CONCLUSIONS:
Diverse pathways can strengthen health systems without fragmentation when grounded in shared goals of resilience, accountability, and equity. The session encourages participants to consider trade offs, cross organizational learning, and how complementary approaches reinforce health system building blocks and community capacity across humanitarian and development contexts.
Strengthening health systems is critical for sustainable and equitable health outcomes, but pathways must adapt to each context1. Organizations increasingly use community driven, governance focused, and equity oriented approaches to reinforce the WHO health system building blocks. This session highlights how Action Against Hunger (ACF), CARE, and Children International tailor Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) strategies to diverse settings while supporting government led systems.
METHODS:
Using the WHO framework (service delivery; workforce; information systems; medicines; financing; governance and leadership)2 and the central role of communities3, the session compares three case studies. ACF Somalia applies an integrated model spanning health, nutrition, WASH, and protection, using fixed facilities, climate resilient infrastructure, and community outreach. CARE Malawi uses social accountability tools—youth led Community Score Cards, advocacy, and multi stakeholder engagement—to strengthen governance and connect community priorities to policy processes. Children International Dominican Republic employs youth led accountability mechanisms, collecting evidence through surveys, interviews, and dialogues to drive service improvements.
RESULTS:
Across contexts, these approaches enhanced service quality, responsiveness, and system resilience. ACF’s collaboration with government improved epidemic preparedness, infection prevention, continuity of care, and community health worker capacity. CARE’s accountability efforts helped address drug stockouts, integration gaps, financing challenges, and youth friendly service needs. Children International’s youth generated data informed improvements in provider responsiveness, access to medicines, and facility level service delivery. Key enabling factors included strong NGO–government partnerships, meaningful community engagement, context specific adaptations, and sustained investment in frontline workers.
CONCLUSIONS:
Diverse pathways can strengthen health systems without fragmentation when grounded in shared goals of resilience, accountability, and equity. The session encourages participants to consider trade offs, cross organizational learning, and how complementary approaches reinforce health system building blocks and community capacity across humanitarian and development contexts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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