Project profile — World Health Organization Health Systems Strengthening

• Sri Lanka (5.47%)
• Ghana (5.32%)
• Kenya (5.54%)
• Sudan (5.88%)
• Pakistan (5.10%)
• Bolivia (4.60%)
• Ukraine (6.48%)
• Mongolia (5.49%)
• South Sudan (5.62%)
• Mali (4.93%)

• Africa, regional (4.39%)
• America, regional (1.12%)
• Middle East, regional (2.45%)
• Far East Asia, regional (1.46%)
• Asia, regional (1.46%)
• Europe, regional (34.69%)

• Health: COVID-19 control (12264) (100.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)

The project aims to strengthen national and local primary healthcare systems in 10 priority countries to enhance continuing essential health services in the context of COVID-19. Project activities include: (1) providing Gender Equity and Human Rights technical assistance to Primary Health Care strategies and guidance; (2) training of medical personnel in clinical management of patients with COVID-19; and (3) strengthening national procurement plans and supply chain processes. This project targets disadvantaged populations, including those in vulnerable situations, such as sex workers, adolescent girls and young women. It also targets lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and others (LGBTI+), focusing on gender equality and human rights.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened equitable and resilient primary health services in targeted countries, particularly in regard to COVID-19 response and recovery; and (2) strengthened equitable and resilient primary health care system governance in targeted countries, particularly in regards to COVID-19 response and recovery.

Results achieved by the WHO through the support of the Government of Canada and other international donors at the end of the project (December 2024) include: (1) conducted multi-country implementation research on integrating WHO guidelines on safe abortion, postnatal care, and violence against women into national health strategies. For instance, in Pakistan, the WHO supported capacity building efforts to improve service provision and referral systems, training 122 Lady Health Workers (LHWs) across 12 districts, benefiting approximately 122,000 people. In collaboration with Emergency response departments in Pakistan, WHO trained 170 frontline responders from 79 districts in gender-responsive psychosocial support for gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and people in emergencies; (2) strengthened procurement and supply chain systems for essential medical supplies, enhancing laboratory and surveillance capacities; (3) integrated infection prevention and control measures into healthcare infrastructure; and (4) enhanced the safety and quality of health products through updated policies, strategic frameworks and legislative reforms. For example, the WHO supported the implementation of the Nigeria package of essential non-communicable diseases (Nigeria PEN) program in 12 PHC facilities. Between January and September 2024, screened over 25,000 people for hypertension and 9,000 for diabetes, with a significant number diagnosed and enrolled for treatment. WHO Nigeria also piloted integrated TB and diabetes screening in 12 PHC facilities, screening 66,915 people and diagnosing TB and diabetes cases.

• Proactive disclosure
• Related activities:
• Strengthening local and national primary health care in the context of COVID-19
• Strengthening primary health care in the context of COVID-19 in Ukraine