Health system resilience

We contribute to strengthening health systems by:

• Partnering with stakeholders in the development of research-based recommendations, advocating for health system policy reform and building capabilities to strengthen the delivery of health services.
• Improving access to quality healthcare and providing solutions along a continuum of care – from prevention, awareness, diagnosis and treatment to post-treatment and wellness.
• Supporting the continuity of integrated and essential quality healthcare in communities affected by humanitarian emergencies through disaster relief.

Our approach

Sustainable healthcare for all requires investment in strengthening health systems with the infrastructure required to be responsive to population needs. Our integrated approach puts health at the centre of a sustainable future by advocating for more strategic investment in health, earlier action on disease and enhance use of digital, data and technology.

As shown by the COVID-19 pandemic, where we learned what can be achieved when we collaborate at speed and at scale, partnering with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem is key to our shared success. We are investing in ground-breaking global collaborations, company initiatives, local partnerships and fast-tracked innovation to give access to higher quality healthcare for more people worldwide.

Specific activities include:

• Improving preparedness for future shocks and enhancing international coordination on scenario planning, response protocols and reserve capacities
• Optimising the location and focus of patient care through digital technologies
• Addressing the social, economic, and ecological costs of disease through targeted prevention measures that are optimised to address risk factors and local challenges, while leveraging our experience in health programming
• Improving the effectiveness of care for chronic diseases through defining, implementing and monitoring improved quality of care standards

We aim to build the capabilities of health systems to best respond to patient needs by:

• Ensuring programming is locally and culturally relevant
• Using our footprint to scale partnerships and collaborations
• Establishing mechanisms for collaboration with our partners, for example through joint coordination, planning, follow-up and alignment on key performance indicators
• Considering the long-term sustainability of our partnerships to effectively transfer resources, skills and capabilities, and enable local ownership
• Keeping the communities we serve at the heart of our partnerships by involving them in the design and delivery of programmes

Discover more about health system resilience

Our programme teams work in collaboration with local and global stakeholders and implementing partners to strengthen and protect health systems. They offer training to healthcare providers, promote health education and awareness-raising activities, and facilitate access to treatment where appropriate.