To enable better health outcomes, we need resilient health systems emphasising integrated and people-centred care, especially at primary and community levels
We focus on building sustainable, resilient, and equitable health systems that provide high-quality services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) throughout people’s lives. Our main area of intervention is to strengthen access to care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by helping partners create models that effectively address diabetes and related NCDs.
Our support is based on lessons learned from our extensive projects and the WHO’s health system strengthening framework. This framework enhances resilience, effectiveness, and responsiveness in health systems. It includes six essential building blocks:
The aim is to tackle systemic challenges and promote fair access to quality healthcare. By urging partners to use this approach, we want to contribute to the development of comprehensive and inclusive health systems centred around patients. We encourage them to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, even if they cannot address all building blocks.
Effective care models can help reduce the burden of disease by:
We guide our partners to follow WHO’s essential non-communicable disease interventions, focusing on integrating services at the primary healthcare level. This integration is crucial for improving access, especially for those in poverty or vulnerable situations.
To enhance equitable access to care and improve health outcomes, we take a multilevel approach that addresses individual, organisational, and systemic levels.
At the individual level, we support awareness raising, screenings, and patient education to empower people to manage their conditions.
At the organisational level, we support efforts to improve access and quality by building the capacity of healthcare professionals and strengthening clinics. We prefer to focus on public health systems at the primary and community levels. These are often the first points of contact, where screening, prevention, and diagnosis can occur to avoid overloading specialised services. Research shows that strong primary health care leads to lower costs, better health outcomes, higher patient satisfaction, and greater equity.
At the systemic level, we need to partner to advocate for an enabling policy environment and mobilise resources to ensure sustained efforts in strengthening NCD care.
We take integrated care seriously to enhance efficiency and optimise resources. People may have multiple health conditions at once and need care that addresses them as whole individuals. Breaking down disease-specific barriers in primary care is essential.
We support partners in providing a comprehensive range of health services, including:
We aim to promote people-centred care that focuses on individual needs and recognises co-morbidities throughout people’s lives.
We aim to leverage digital health solutions when needed and requested by local stakeholders to improve health service efficiency and effectiveness.
Our experience confirms that digital solutions are vital for enhancing the efficiency of health systems. A well-rounded digital approach can strengthen care pathways, improve patient case management, support referrals, and enhance decision-making.