15th GAVI BOARD MEETING
Geneva, Switzerland, 28-29 April 2005
Summary Report

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9. Update on the Health System Support (HSS) investment case

• Much of the increase in resources for international health is going to global health partnerships. It is therefore important for these partnerships to look at systems issues. However, the work has to be aligned and this will take some time.
• In the country settings, programmes that are vertical at a global level are often integrated out of necessity. Solutions can often be found at the district level.
• Immunization provides a good entry point for looking at systems issues because it is concrete. Furthermore, if immunization does not work in a country it is unlikely that other basic health services are working well.
• The amount of funds that GAVI will give to health system is actually quite small, which is why it is so important to ensure that funding is complementary, and reflects national priorities.
• One of the greatest problems with health systems is turnover of staff; a common approach to this problem could be valuable.

The Board:

9.1 Endorsed the ongoing work on linking GAVI support to health systems support to other global health initiatives and specifically requested the Secretariat to engage with other initiatives to ensure complementarity, effectiveness and efficiency when investing in capacity building.

9.2 Supported in general the idea of a window for GAVI funding to strengthen health systems but expressed concern that a balance needs to be struck between focus on immunization, country-driven demand, and innovation. Clear mechanisms will need to be identified to ensure accountable use of resources while preserving maximum flexibility.

9.3 Agreed that the timeline for submission to the GAVI Board for decision on this funding window should be delayed until December to give sufficient time for full consideration.

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