Despite its importance, health system strengthening (HSS) remains an elusive concept – even more so in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS), where HSS efforts are complicated by weak governance and fragmented response. This participative session reflected on the principles and practices of HSS in FCAS, from an operational perspective. Recent work was presented that combined conceptual thinking drawing from expert interviews, and photos and stories from a PhotoVoice exercise with non-governmental and civil society organisations active on HSS in a variety of FCAS. A participatory discussion followed with panellists and audience, engaging with the images and stories of ‘doing HSS’ displayed in the room.
Two main set of questions were addressed:
The session was chaired by Egbert Sondorp (KIT, Netherlands and ReBUILD Advisory Group member) and featured Maria Bertone (ReBUILD and Queen Margaret University, UK), Jieun Lee (World Vision UK), Ali Ardalan (WHO EMRO), Fouad Fouad (ReBUILD and AUB, Lebanon/ LSTM, UK), Cynthia Maung (Mao Tae Clinic, Thailand/Myanmar), and Wastina Sintayehu (ACF, Somalia).
Find sessions linked to ReBUILD members and our areas of study here.