Strong health systems save lives and help children to not only survive, but thrive. Action Against Hunger provides technical expertise and support to strengthen health systems, helping to harness and build local capacity. Our aim is to transfer our knowledge, fill in gaps in supplies and funding, work in partnership with communities and government authorities, and improve local health and nutrition services to ensure sustainable impact.
Working globally with the World Health Organization, Action Against Hunger’s Health System Strengthening methodology employs a district-level approach to diagnose the six pillars of the health system:
We then identify and prioritize the actions needed to develop a strategy to strengthen system weaknesses. Using this methodology, Action Against Hunger enhances the resilience of the health system, bolstering its ability to prepare for, absorb, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stressors.
Around the world, Action Against Hunger has implemented this methodology in 15 countries and proven that we can improve local governance of health systems and strengthen pillars, while promoting a participatory process. Our approach has been successfully implemented in Madagascar for several years in select districts, producing solid results to the extent that the Ministry of Health has decided to scale up this approach and adopted Action Against Hunger’s methodology nationwide.
Together with partners, Action Against Hunger supports and trains community health workers to strengthen prevention services among children, including monitoring growth, promoting diverse diets, and treating malnutrition. We also advocate for universal access to health and nutrition services through strengthening community-based health services.
In crises – from pandemics to conflicts to natural disasters – health systems can be underprepared and overwhelmed. Action Against Hunger provides surge support in places like Somalia, helping to fill gaps, recruiting and paying qualified health staff, building facilities, securing supplies, and deploying emergency mobile health teams.
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In the countries where we work, Action Against Hunger advocates for governments to allocate at least 15% of total public spending budgets to health and an additional 1% of GDP to primary healthcare and supports enhanced planning and budgeting processes for more effective healthcare interventions.
Action Against Hunger supports and contributes to health and nutrition surveillance systems, such as Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) analyses, nutrition surveys, and health information management systems with the Ministries of Health. We provide technical assistance to support governments in reviewing and updating national protocols and policies and support civil society participation in health systems governance, advocating for dedicated participation procedures and mechanisms to strengthen health systems.
Action Against Hunger is the lead partner for PROPEL Adapt, a five-year project funded by USAID. PROPEL Adapt strengthens the health systems environment and helps health systems become more resilient, so countries can withstand shocks and stressors and ensure that more people have access to quality health care – from voluntary family planning resources to nutrition treatment.
I am happy we can save lives, change the lives of children, and raise awareness about what malnutrition is, its causes, and its treatment.”
— Dr. Salma Mahayu, Tanzania
Saving Lives and Restoring Hope for a Hunger-Free TanzaniaDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams stepped in to help thousands of people in hard-to-reach communities access vaccines.
Delivering Vaccines by Any Means NecessaryCommunity Influencers, trained by Action Against Hunger, help encourage people to visit health facilities and hospitals.
Not Your Average Influencer: These Women Save Lives in SomaliaReceive the latest news direct from our lifesaving teams.
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