Table 1 The WHO health system framework
Building block | Aims and desirable attributes |
|---|---|
Service delivery | To deliver effective, safe, quality personal and non-personal health interventions to those who need them, when and where needed, with minimum waste of resources. |
Health workforce | A health workforce which works in ways that are responsive, fair and efficient to achieve the best health outcomes possible, given available resources and circumstances; i.e. there are sufficient numbers and mix of staff, fairly distributed; they are competent, responsive and productive. |
Health information system | A health information system that ensures the production, analysis, dissemination and use of reliable and timely information on health determinants, health systems performance and health status. |
Medical products/ vaccines/technologies | A health system that ensures equitable access to essential medical products, vaccines and technologies of assured quality, safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and their scientifically sound and cost-effective use. |
Health financing system | A health financing system that raises adequate funds for health, in ways that ensure people can use needed services, and are protected from financial catastrophe or impoverishment associated with having to pay for them. |
Leadership and governance | To ensure strategic policy frameworks exist and are combined with effective oversight, coalition building, the provision of appropriate regulations and incentives, attention to system-design, and accountability. |