MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

MODULE: PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 203

LEVEL: 2.1

LECTURER: MR. SAKAROMBE

NAME REG. NUMBER MODE OF ENTRY

QUESTION

What is a health system?

Explain the Health system building blocks: Leadership

Health workforce
Information
Financing
Service delivery
Medical products
A health system comprises all organizations, institutions and resources (elements) that are
devoted to producing health actions. The intrinsic goal of a health system is to protect and
improve the health of the people, that is it is concerned with people’s health. In addition to
patients, families, and communities, Ministries of Health, health providers, health services
organizations, pharmaceutical companies, health financing bodies, and other organizations play
important roles, such as oversight, health service provision, financing and managing resources.
The World Health Organization (2000) redefined the main purpose in its definition of a health
system as “all activities whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, and maintain health.” In
recent years, the definition of “purpose” has been further extended to include the prevention of
household poverty due to illness.

A health system’s many parts operate at many levels to provide coherence at community or
national level. WHO framework describes health systems in terms of six core components or
“building blocks” which are (i) service delivery, (ii) health workforce, (iii) health information
systems, (iv) access to essential medicines, (v) financing, and (vi) leadership/governance. These
building blocks form the health system of any country and the weakness in one building block
affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire health system. This essay shall look explain
the six building blocks in full a s follows;

Governance/Leadership
This refers to the rules, regulations, and processes that guide the functioning of health systems.
Good governance ensures that health systems are responsive to the needs of the population and
are efficient in their operations. Health systems governance is a critical component that serves as
a foundational building block for healthcare systems worldwide. It encompasses the processes,
structures, and institutions responsible for overseeing and managing a country’s healthcare
system. Effective health systems governance ensures that strategic policy frameworks are in
place and are combined with various elements such as oversight, coalition-building, regulations,
incentives, attention to system design, and accountability. By prioritizing good governance
practices within health systems, countries can work towards achieving better health outcomes for
their populations while advancing broader development goals.
Health workforce
This component involves the human resources required to deliver healthcare services. It includes
healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. A well-trained and motivated
workforce is crucial for the functioning of health systems. The health workforce is a crucial
building block for any health care system. The availability, accessibility, acceptability, and
quality of health workers are essential for improving health service coverage and ensuring that
individuals can enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. According to the World Health
Organization (WHO), there is a projected shortfall of 10 million health workers globally by
2030, with low- and lower-middle-income countries facing the most significant challenges in this
regard. Addressing challenges related to shortages, deployment issues, gender equality,
economic growth opportunities, and global strategies is essential for strengthening this critical
building block.

Information Systems
This component involves the collection, processing, and use of health-related data. It includes
various information systems such as electronic health records and disease surveillance systems.
Effective information systems support evidence-based decision-making in health systems. In the
context of the global health system and the WHO Building Blocks framework, information
systems play a crucial role as one of the key components in ensuring effective health care
delivery and management. Information systems within a health care system encompass the
technologies, processes, and infrastructure used to collect, store, manage, and transmit health-
related data and information. These systems are essential for supporting monitoring health
outcomes, tracking diseases, managing resources, and facilitating communication among various
stakeholders within the health system. Therefore, Information systems serve as a fundamental
building block for enhancing the performance and resilience of health care systems at both
national and global levels. By addressing challenges and implementing reforms to optimize
information systems’ capabilities within the WHO Building Blocks framework, stakeholders can
drive improvements in healthcare delivery outcomes worldwide.

Financing
Refers to the function of a health system concerned with the mobilization, accumulation and
allocation of money to cover health needs, in order to make funding available, as well as to set
the right financial incentives for health system development. Health financing is a crucial
building block of health systems, playing a significant role in determining access to healthcare
services and the quality of care provided. It is closely linked to governance within the healthcare
system and has a direct impact on achieving universal health coverage and meeting Sustainable
Development Goals targets. understanding the role of financing as a building block for health
care systems is essential for improving access to quality healthcare services globally. By
addressing key aspects such as payer identification, provider authorization, and their impact on
service quality and accessibility, countries can work towards achieving universal health coverage
and meeting development goals.

Service delivery
Is an immediate output of the inputs into the health system, such as the health workforce,
procurement and supplies and financing of the healthcare systems. Increased inputs, if framed by
appropriate policies and strategies (governance), should lead to improved health service delivery
and enhanced access to services. Ensuring availability of health services that meet a minimum
quality standard and securing access to them is a key function of a health system. In the realm of
healthcare systems, service delivery plays a crucial role as one of the fundamental building
blocks. Service delivery encompasses the provision of healthcare services to individuals and
communities, aiming to improve health outcomes and ensure access to quality care.

Medical products
This component includes all the tools and equipment used in healthcare service delivery. Access
to essential medical products and technologies is a critical aspect of health systems
strengthening. Medical products play a crucial role as a foundational building block for any
health care system. These products encompass a wide range of items, including pharmaceuticals,
medical devices, diagnostic tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and various other
supplies essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses and diseases. The
availability and quality of these medical products are fundamental to the effectiveness and
efficiency of healthcare delivery systems worldwide . These products are indispensable for
delivering quality care, promoting public health, and ensuring patient safety within healthcare
settings.

In conclusion, a healthcare system comprising of all organizations, institutions and resources that
are devoted to producing health actions cited as six building blocks contribute to the
strengthening of health systems in different ways. Some cross-cutting components, such as
leadership/governance and health information systems, provide the basis for the overall policy
and regulation of all the other health system blocks. Key input components to the health system
include specifically, financing and the health workforce. A third group, namely medical products
and technologies and service delivery, reflects the immediate outputs of the health system, i.e.
the availability and distribution of care. All these buildings blocks are essential in the efficient
and effective functioning of the health system such that the weakness in one block affect the
performance of the whole health system. There is therefore need to make sure that the six blocks
are fully functional and complimenting each other.
References
Chee HL, Barraclough S, Eds (2007). Health care in Malaysia: the dynamics of provision,
financing and access. London and New York: Routledge

World Health Organization (2000). World health report. Geneva: WHO

World Health Organization (2010). Monitoring the building blocks of health systems: a
handbook of indicators and their measurement strategies. Geneva: WHO

World Health Organization (2000). Health care systems in transition: production template and
questionnaire. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.