The Six Components of the Health System
1. Introduction
The health system is a set of organizations, people, and resources that work together to improve the health of the population (WHO, 2010). There are six health system components identified by the WHO necessary to establish, promote, and strengthen the health system (Global Health). These six components are: workforce, facilities and institutions, information, financing, government policies, and preventive and curative services.
2. The six health system components
2.1 Workforce
The workforce is one of the most important components of the health system. It consists of all the people who work in the health system including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and community health workers. The workforce is responsible for providing care to patients, teaching people about how to stay healthy, conducting research to develop new treatments and cures for diseases, and advocating for policies that improve the health of the population.
2. 2 Facilities and institutions
Facilities and institutions are the places where health care is provided. They include hospitals, clinics, primary care centers, laboratories, and pharmacies. Facilities and institutions are responsible for providing care to patients, conducting research, and training healthcare providers.
2. 3 Information
Information is essential for making informed decisions about health care. It includes data on disease incidence and prevalence, risk factors for disease, and access to care. Information also helps to monitor and evaluate the performance of the health system.
2. 4 Financing
Financing is necessary to sustain the operation of the health system. It includes all sources of funding for the health system such as government funding, private insurance companies, philanthropic organizations, and out-of-pocket payments by patients.
2. 5 Government policies
Government policies play a vital role in shaping the health system. They can promote or hinder progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Government policies can also influence the allocation of resources within the health system which can impact equity in access to care.
2. 6 Preventive and curative services
Preventive and curative services are essential for improving population health. They include immunizations, screening programs, treatment of infectious diseases, and surgery. Preventive services help to prevent disease while curative services provide treatment for those who are already sick or injured.
3. strengthening the health system
There are many ways to strengthen the health system so that it can better meet the needs of the population. Some of these include: implementing human resources for health (HRH) strategies; improving infrastructure; integrating service delivery; and increasing financing for the health system.
3. 1 Implementation of HRH strategies
One way to strengthen the health system is by implementing human resources for health (HRH) strategies such as increasing salaries for healthcare workers; improving working conditions; providing training and continuing education opportunities; and increasing access to healthcare worker support services such as childcare and transportation assistance.
3. 2 Infrastructure improvement
Another way to strengthen the health system is by improving infrastructure. This can be done by constructing new facilities and institutions; expanding existing ones; and/or upgrading equipment and technology.
3. 3 Integration of service delivery
Integrating service delivery is another way to strengthen the health system. This can be done by providing services at multiple levels such as primary care, secondary care, and tertiary care; integrating physical, mental, and social health services; and providing services in both urban and rural areas.
4. Conclusion
The health system is a complex network of organizations, people, and resources that work together to improve the health of the population. The six health system components are: workforce, facilities and institutions, information, financing, government policies, and preventive and curative services. There are many ways to strengthen the health system so that it can better meet the needs of the population. Some of these include: implementing human resources for health (HRH) strategies; improving infrastructure; integrating service delivery; and increasing financing for the health system.