Non-State and Informal Actors in Fragile Settings – podcast
‘Stories of Resilience – Local Lives and Health Systems’ is a podcast series from ReBUILD for Resilience. Each episode examines a different resilience-related topic, with a particular focus on fragile and shock-prone settings.
In this fourth episode – ‘Non-State and Informal Actors in Fragile Settings’ – we explore the critical role of non-state actors and informal providers in health systems within fragile settings. Our guests share insights on the legitimacy, roles and the challenges faced by non-state and informal actors.
The transcript of this podcast can be read here.
The speakers
The series is produced by The SCL Agency [opens new tab] with Dr Kim Ozano hosting each instalment. In this episode Kim chatted with:
Dr Karin Diaconu – Institute for Global Health and Development, Queen Margaret University
Karin is a health policy and systems researcher interested in how to achieve better health outcomes for disadvantaged groups and persons living in fragile, conflict affected and vulnerable settings. She has been involved with the ReBUILD for Resilience programme since it began and is interested in understanding how communities and health systems can better work together to support health, particularly in situations where communities have often been disempowered due to longstanding crises.
Dr Kyu Kyu Than – Burnet Institute
Kyu Kyu is a health system researcher from Myanmar who is passionate about advocating for gender-equitable and inclusive healthcare access for the most vulnerable population. She is currently a Research Director at Burnet Institute Myanmar and is also one of the Principal Investigator for the ReBUILD consortium. Her expertise and leadership in public health have earned her recognition both nationally and internationally, making her a pivotal figure in shaping health policies and initiatives in Myanmar. She is a researcher who is well known for her dedication and courage towards health policy shift for the health care workers in the least developed communities.
Dr Ayesha Idriss – Institute for Development
Ayesha is an experienced pharmacist, dedicated educator, and accomplished multidisciplinary researcher. As the research lead at the Institute for Development for the ReBUILD for Resilience programme, Ayesha focuses on strengthening health systems in fragile and conflict-affected states. Her research addresses critical health challenges in Sierra Leone, including non-communicable disease interventions, Community Health Workers (CHW) motivation and health policy implementation. Ayesha’s doctoral research enhances healthcare delivery in diverse communities, including the informal health sector, emphasising culturally sensitive approaches. Ayesha’s work bridges research and practice, fostering positive change in healthcare systems and promoting equity in access to healthcare services.
The Stories of Resilience podcast series
- Episode 1: Revisiting resilience in health systems research
- Episode 2: Gender, health systems resilience and equity
- Episode 3: The Health Workforce in Times of Crisis
- Episode 4: Non-State and Informal Actors in Fragile Settings
- Episode 5: Migration, displacement and health systems
- Episode 6: Health systems financing in fragile settings
Further information
- More on the work in Sierra Leone to assess the role of community leaders during shocks
- More on the work in Myanmar on the role of non-state actors and also on liminal health systems on the Myanmar/Thai border.