Coordination for health system resilience – what, why and how?
Coordination between stakeholders is widely emphasised in frameworks on health systems resilience and emergency management. The ReBUILD for Resilience research framework also highlights the importance of coordination and partnership. In particular, it suggests that collaborative networks can support the availability of resources and information, monitoring systems, and the comprehensiveness, inclusivity and equity of resilience strategies.
This brief draws on country experience with COVID-19, health system resilience to climate change, including climate-related shocks, such as drought and floods, and other emergencies to highlight lessons for strengthening coordination. It considers coordination across government sectors, between national and local government, and between government and other health system stakeholders, such as development partners and NGOs. Coordination across all these axes is important for health system resilience and emergency management.
The key determinants of effective coordination outlined are:
- Functional coordination platforms
- Adequate capacities
- Political dynamics
- Informal relationships and practical entry points
Image: Fight against COVID-19 at Jangamakote Village, India – Trinity Care Foundation via Flickr