Strengthening health systems
Children need strong, resilient and inclusive health systems to survive and thrive.
In recent decades, the world has made significant strides improving health outcomes for children and adolescents. But inequities among and within countries persist. Especially in low- and middle-income countries, millions of children still do not have access to quality health care and services. The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed many of the gains that have been made over the years.
In some places, health facilities are too far or expensive to reach. In others, facilities lack the medical supplies or trained personnel necessary to deliver basic essential and quality care.
Without quality health care and services, children are more susceptible to illness, environmental hazards and the devastating effects of humanitarian emergencies. They are also more likely to face challenges going to and staying in school – with consequences that ripple across society.
Fragile health systems can undermine progress in other areas. When disease outbreaks occur, nutrition services and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities come under strain.
Now, more than ever, strong health services are needed, as close as possible to the most vulnerable populations. Improving healthy systems is one of the most effective ways to transform children’s lives. UNICEF is committed to strengthening primary health care around the world by increasing financing and improving governance, in addition to supporting supply chains and the health care workforce.
UNICEF’s response
To help children survive and thrive, health systems need sufficient funding to be sustainable, resilient and inclusive.
Strengthening health systems is critical to the supply and delivery of quality, affordable primary health care and to the achievement of universal health coverage. It expands access to the most vulnerable children and adolescents, and integrates services in health, nutrition, early childhood development, HIV and AIDS, and water, sanitation and hygiene.
UNICEF supports primary health care – especially at the community level. We do this by focusing on multisectoral policy and action, inegrating health services with an emphasis on primary care and by empowering communities ang the people that serve them.
Community health workforce
Strong primary health care systems for children require skilled frontline professionals and community health workers. UNICEF works to build the capacity and skills of these people, providing the essential training and resources they need to thrive in their communities.
Quality of care
UNICEF works with governments to improve the quality of newborn, child, adolescent and maternal health care - especially at the community level. We do this through the development of cultural and age-appropriate health protocols and guidelines. We also train and equip health and allied personnel to better serve the needs of newborn babies, children, adolescents and their mothers.
Strengthening supply chains
UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen supply chains crucial to the health sector. These supply chains are vital for getting products and medicines from manufacturers and into the hands of health care staff and their patients.
Data and digital health
UNICEF works with governments and partners to strengthen supply chains crucial to the health sector. These supply chains are vital for getting products and medicines from manufacturers and into the hands of health care staff and their patients.
National investment and governance
Governments and health administrations are indispensable partners in improving the lives of children. In coordination with partners, UNICEF supports governments to develop effective policies that strengthen health systems for children, especially for the most vulnerable. UNICEF helps governments to establish packages of care, incentive and compensation structures for health workers, supervision and supply chain models. We also support governments with research that monitors and improves the effectiveness of health policies. Furthermore, we help to guide and oversee decentralized, district levels of authority.