Strengthening health systems, particularly in poor countries, lies at the heart of reflections and programmes to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The objective is to increase access to health of all people in need through quality, equitable, people-centred and affordable care.

Strong health systems combined with coordinated community care are the guarantee of a global, sustainable and equitable response to health issues, and particularly to public health risks such as HIV / AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and all epidemics that could emerge in the future.

Contributing to building efficient and sustainable health systems while fighting the 3 epidemics is one of the top strategic objectives of the Global Fund.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) identified 12 sectors that underpin quality  health systems. Among them, the Global Fund selected 7 for priority support:

  • Community systems and responses;
  • Reproductive, maternal, new-born, child and adolescent healthcare as part of integrated platforms;
  • National drugs and health products supply and delivery systems;
  • The healthcare workforce;
  • Data collection and management systems as well as national capacities to analyse those;
  • National strategic health-related plans;
  • Financial steering and management.

Equally, integrating reflection and community work into the management of people-centred healthcare improves the access to services of most vulnerable and marginalised people and groups who are often excluded from information channels and from traditional health systems.