BUILDING RESILIENT HEALTH SYSTEMS FOR EQUITABLE HEALTH OUTCOMES

Abstract

Health system strengthening (HSS) has become a central strategy for improving population health, advancing universal health coverage (UHC), and promoting global health equity. Despite remarkable advances in medical science and public health, significant disparities in health outcomes persist across and within countries. These inequities are driven by weaknesses in health systems, unequal access to healthcare services, and broader social, economic, and political determinants of health. This chapter explores the concepts of health system strengthening and global health equity, examines their interrelationship, and discusses key strategies for building resilient, inclusive, and equitable health systems. Particular attention is given to governance, financing, workforce development, primary healthcare, community engagement, and the social determinants of health. The chapter concludes by highlighting future directions and policy implications for achieving equitable health outcomes globally.