Health systems in lower income countriesare often not able to provide for the basichealth needs oftheir populations. The progress of recent initiatives suchas the WHO millennium development goals and new funds fordisease programs is slowed by the limitations of thesehealth service and systems. Strengthening these healthsystems has become a priority, but this cannot be achievedimmediately, the causes of these limitations are many,complex and with deep historical origins. It is important toensure that the new resources are used in ways whicheffectively strengthen these services and systems in boththe short and long term. There is some experience andresearch which has found effective ways to strengthenservice delivery and system functioning. However, thisresearch is largely unknown or unused by policy makers anddecision makers in ministries, local government, aidagencies and work bank advisors. Although evidence fromelsewhere will need to be adapted to the local situation,this research can help avoid expensive mistakes and savetime and money in choosing and implementing effective healthservice strengthening strategies. The purpose of this reportis to present some of the first guidance and materials fromthe world bank ‘improving health service program’ (WB IHSP).It gives interim guidance based on the best availableevidence which was identified in a rapid review of actionsfor strengthening health services and systems.
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