Health systems strengthening in conflict situations

Abstract

Many people in Africa live in fragile states where conflicts are common. These countries are under pressure to deliver health services within their limited capacity. This paper looks at ways of strengthening health systems in conflict and post-conflict situations at a time when many African countries are emerging from conflict. The paper concludes that health systems strengthening in post-conflict situations should focus on the delivery of primary health care services using existing human resources for health, community structures, NGOs and mobile clinics while pursuing renovation of health facilities and human resources for health development in the medium and long term.