UNDP's commitment to addressing HIV and other major health and development challenges is based on the principles that health is a driver for and an indicator and outcome of development.
As outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP’s support to countries aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformation for sustainable development and supporting governments to build resilience to shocks and crises.
UNDP defines capacity development as the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives over time.
Strong partnerships are the cornerstone of UNDP's work to strengthen systems for health. In its support to countries UNDP works closely with other United Nations entities, development organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia and key populations to develop resilient and sustainable systems for health.
The effectiveness of UNDP's model of health programme support, with its emphasis on end-to-end capacity development, is evident in the results of its long-standing partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).
Whether in its role as an implementing partner managing large-scale HIV, TB, and malaria programmes funded by the Global Fund or as a technical assistance
Investments in resilient and sustainable systems for health lay the foundation for the effective and equitable delivery of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.
Human rights barriers include stigma and discrimination, punitive laws, policies and practices, violence, harassment, gender, and social and economic inequalities.
People most affected by HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria are often the same people who are marginalised and have limited or no access to health care.
Gender equality is essential to achieving health and well-being for all, accelerate progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Investments in resilient and sustainable systems for health lay the foundation for the effective and equitable delivery of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria programmes, other essential health services and the achievement of universal health coverage. As a key partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund), UNDP supports investments in strengthening systems for health. UNDP is increasingly requested by governments to provide technical assistance in core functional areas of health system strengthening, such as procurement and supply chain management or financial management systems.
These investments in building enabling processes, capacities and policy environments for health yield cross-cutting benefits in terms of improving health outcomes and advancing countriesʼ achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes e orts to enhance the sustainability and resilience of health systems that enable governments to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage and withstand the impact of global health crises and other emerging threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vital role of health systems, revealing the costs of inadequate systems, processes and capacities as countries have had to cope with increased demands while maintaining the delivery of essential health services. The pandemic response has likewise illuminated the value of previous investments in building strong community systems for, for example, health, procurement and supply chain management systems, or health management information systems, which countries could adapt to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Key areas for building resilient and sustainable systems for health
The Global Fund’s Modular Framework Handbook underlines the following key areas for investment in resilient and sustainable systems for health:
Health product management and systems strengthening. This includes policy strategy and governance; storage and distribution capacity; procurement capacity; regulatory and quality assurance support; and avoidance, reduction and management of health-care waste.
Health management information systems and monitoring and evaluation. This includes routine reporting; programme and data quality; analyses, evaluations, reviews and transparency; surveys; administrative and finance data sources; and civil registration and vital statistics.
Human resources for health including community health workers. This includes education and production; remuneration and deployment; in-service training; and policy and governance frameworks.
Integrated service delivery and quality improvement. This includes quality of care; service organization and facility management; and service infrastructure.
Financial management systems. This includes public financial management systems and routine grant financial management.
Health sector governance and planning. This includes national health sector strategies and financing; and policy and planning for national disease control programmes.
Community systems strengthening. This includes community-based monitoring; community-led advocacy and research; social mobilization; building community linkages and coordination; and institutional capacity building, planning and leadership development.
Laboratory systems. This includes national laboratory governance and management structures; infrastructure and equipment management systems; quality management systems and accreditation; information systems and integrated specimen transport networks; and laboratory supply chain systems.
Examples
Case Study: Building Resilience Against Health Crises Through Long-Term Investments in Health Systems
In 2020, the simultaneous threats of malaria, Ebola, and COVID-19 placed immense strain on Burundi’s healthcare system. Since 2017, UNDP, with funding from the Global Fund, has supported the Ministry of Health in scaling up programs, procuring essential medical supplies, and strengthening supply chains. Key interventions included distributing 6.8 million bed nets, deploying mobile clinics, and conducting insecticide spraying in high-risk areas. Investments in health infrastructure and medical equipment enhanced Burundi’s ability to respond to emerging outbreaks. The national health crisis center, originally established for Ebola, became the coordination hub for COVID-19, equipped with 200 smartphones and laptops. Additionally, malaria control pumps were repurposed for medical decontamination, and a health monitoring app was adapted to track COVID-19 cases.
These efforts not only controlled disease outbreaks but also fortified Burundi’s healthcare system, ensuring life-saving medicines and diagnostic tools reached even remote communities. By strengthening disease surveillance and response capacity, Burundi reduced malaria-related deaths and enhanced its resilience against future health crises, protecting millions of lives.
Case Study: Building resilience through strengthened ICU care
Strengthening the Intensive Care Unit ICU care in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) play a crucial role in providing emergency care, particularly in regions affected by conflict, disasters and public health crises. With support from the Global Fund, UNDP upgraded ICUs in Kandahar, Logar, and Balkh provinces, enhancing emergency care and infectious disease treatment for over 500 patients monthly. These improvements included renovating ICU wards and installing oxygen plants that deliver oxygen directly to patients’ beds while also generating backup supplies in cylinders. These measures enable the ICUs to provide intensive care services to patients in need.
These investments provide the infrastructure, equipment and healthcare capacity to improve critical care, manage infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, improve maternal and neonatal health and respond to emergencies and disasters. Crucially, this also ensures a more integrated healthcare network, enabling telecommunication links between departments and boosting the long-term readiness of facilities to respond to crises. With hundreds of patients now receiving care each month from the upgraded ICUs, this approach helps safeguard communities, bolster health systems and build resilience against future health emergencies.
