Are Global Initiatives Serving YOUR Health System Strengthening Needs?

According to Health Systems Action Network (HSAN), strengthening health systems to improve public health results is finally on the agenda of many global and bilateral players. HSAN would like feedback from developing country stakeholders from all sectors and regions of the world about whether needs are being addressed by these initiatives and whether there are gaps. The 30 people submitting the most relevant and constructive ideas will be invited to participate in a 2-day meeting in Toronto, August 18-19 (all expenses paid). Input from participants will help shape the future of the HSAN.

To learn more about the consultative process already completed to provide input into the design and organisational form of the Health Systems Action Network, please click here.

To be considered, prepare a short statement (50-100 words) that addresses the following questions. Please focus your comments on issues that a global network of country level stakeholders could contribute to solving.

• What suggestions do you have to improve the way global initiatives that focus on health system strengthening work with country-level stakeholders? How can they improve the way they seek and respond to input from country-level stakeholders?
• What are the priorities to support health systems strengthening on the ground that are not yet being addressed by global initiatives?
• What do you believe a Health Systems Action Network could contribute?

Include the following information in your response:

1. Name:

2. Position:

3. Place of employment (name, address, type of organisation or government entity):

4. Contact information (email addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers):

5. Are you attending the XVI International AIDS Conference? Yes/No

Please send your responses (email or attached word file) to webmaster@hsanet.org by July 10, 2006.

Meeting participant selection will be made the week of July 17, 2006 based on the quality of ideas submitted and an effort to ensure regional and sectoral representation. The consultative meeting in Toronto is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).