Systems Thinking for Health Systems Strengthening
The Alliance 2009 Flagship Report: Systems Thinking for Health Systems Strengthening
The Alliance launched its latest flagship report "Systems Thinking for Health Systems Strengthening," Tuesday 17 November in Havana, Cuba at the Global Forum for Health Research. The report offers a fresh and practical approach to strengthening health systems through "systems thinking". This powerful tool first decodes the complexity of a health system, and then applies that understanding to design better interventions to strengthen health systems, increase coverage, and improve health.
The report suggests ways to more realistically forecast how health systems might respond to strengthening interventions, while also exploring potential synergies and dangers among those interventions. Additionally it shows how better evaluations of health system strengthening initiatives can yield valuable lessons about what works, how it works and for whom.
It is hoped that this report will deepen understanding and stimulate fresh thinking among stewards of health systems, health systems researchers, and development partners.
The launch session in Havana was well attended by over 120 participants. The session was chaired by Sania Nishtar, Founding President of Heartfile in Pakistan. Speakers included Lindiwe Makubalo (Former Executive Director a.i., Alliance HPSR), Don de Savigny (Professor and Head, Health Systems Research Unit, Swiss Tropical Institute) and John-Arne Røttingen (Chief Executive, Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Norway and Chair of the Alliance Board).
In addition to receiving a copy of the Report, the Alliance has provided a small package containing a short overview of the report and a CD featuring the report in both English and Spanish.
The Flagship Report can be downloaded in English, French and Spanish on the following link. The Annex to the Flagship Report is also available in English.
The Alliance welcomes comments on the report − and encourages suggestions on the development of future reports.
Please send your comments and suggestions to alliancehpsr@who.int
Overviews of the Flagship Report are available in English, French and Spanish. Click on the following links as appropriate