A strong health system is the backbone of any nation’s path to improved well-being and resilience. When well-functioning and equitably structured, health systems reduce disease burden, raise life expectancy, and move countries closer to achieving global health targets such as Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Globally, health systems are under increasing pressure from rising costs, aging populations, emerging diseases, and inequitable access to services. Many countries are reforming their systems to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) but face persistent challenges around sustainability, financing, and service quality.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, health systems are strained by political instability, refugee movements, and non-communicable disease burdens. While some high-income countries have strong health infrastructures, others face disparities in access and quality, requiring more resilient, inclusive systems.
Europe has generally strong health systems, yet pressures from aging populations, migration, and rising healthcare costs are forcing reforms. Eastern and Southern European countries, in particular, face gaps in financing and workforce shortages compared to their Western counterparts.
African health systems face persistent challenges including limited infrastructure, health workforce shortages, and fragmented service delivery. However, regional initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and increasing cross-border collaborations present new opportunities for strengthening health system resilience and specialization.
Efforts to strengthen health systems in Africa have often fallen short due to donor dependency, siloed programs, and lack of coordination. Unsuccessful past practices have shown that a one-size-fits-all approach is unsustainable. However, there is growing momentum to replace these with context-specific, self-financed, and inclusive models that emphasize equity, accountability, and regional investment.
The key opportunity now is to support innovations that are scalable, integrated into national policies, and aligned with multidisciplinary partnerships. Countries are encouraged to adopt policies that prioritize health equity, promote community ownership, and engage all levels of the system—from national ministries to district health teams and facility-based leadership.
A strong health system is not only the backbone of a country's public health, but the key to creating sustainable and equitable health for all."
At Bodmando Consulting Group, we work with national and sub-national governments, development partners, and institutions to strengthen the foundations of resilient health systems:
World Health Organization. (2023). Building resilient health systems. https://www.who.int
African Union. (2022). Continental Health Strategy 2016–2030. https://au.int
McIntyre, D. & Kutzin, J. (2016). Health Systems Performance and UHC. WHO Bulletin.
African CDC. (2021). Framework for Strengthening Public Health Systems in Africa.
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