Health Systems Capacity Development

Health systems capacity development includes various approaches and process of change through which individuals, organizations and societies achieve, strengthen and sustain improvements in public health and enhance access to effective, high-quality medical care for all.

Capacity development entails a wide range of activities by a broad spectrum of actors including individuals, households, healthcare facilities, biomedical, scientific, technological & social institutions, health & allied sector organisations, regulatory agencies, union & state governments. Health systems development is a dynamic process, continuously evolving to face emerging challenges and to fulfill shared social political notions of solidarity with respect to people's health.

The following is a partial list of priority areas work for health systems strengthening (HSS) and capacity development activities in India. The IHS Hyderabad strives in this direction with its modest contribution towards health systems capacity development in India.

1. Developing good colleges of public health:

A good college of public health would groom skills to enable a community effectively deal with its public health problems. Public health is an applied science seeking to enhance a public good, namely people's health. The institution should be a consortium of multiple disciplines, working towards improvement of public health. It should foster interdisciplinary work in the area of public health. Activities of the institute would encompass research, education, and public service.

Read about IHS Guidelines for Developing Good Colleges of Public Health

2. Civil Registration Systems and Vital Statistics.

Civil registration system (CRS) is a legally mandated universally applicable and continuous system for compulsory recording of vital events such as births and deaths.