Principles and practices of health systems strengthening in fragile settings: conceptual reflections and operational perspectives

These slides (see below) and posters (download them here) were presented at a satellite session of the 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research 2024 in Japan in November 2024. The speakers were Maria Bertone of Queen Margaret University, UK and Jieun Lee of World Vision [opens new tab]

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 health systems strengthening’ displayed in the room.