Welcome to our course on Understanding and Strengthening Health System for Global Health. We will give you an overview of the key elements and building blocks of a global health system, based on the World Health Organization's guidelines. The course will allow you to examine four major areas of global health systems, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. The first area is about understanding the role of health service organizations and their challenges. The second module examines the six major components of WHO's health system components. It focuses on primary care, and how communities can participate in planning, delivery, and evaluation of these components. In our third module, we will examine the specific system component of capacity building and human resource development. The fourth area is health policy advocacy and making recommendations to stakeholders. This course is for learners who have experience in developing and managing health programs in low- and middle-income countries, or are currently preparing to do so. Each week will consist of approximately 2 to 4 hours of learning material. One peer-graded essay will be assigned. This essay will help you to use your skills in organizational diagnosis to better understand the challenges facing an organization in which you work or are currently working. Quizzes are also available. We hope that you will join other learners in discussion forums and learn from them.
