2022 PHSSR Global Summit Recap - Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience

24 November 2022 – The Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) hosted its second Global Summit on 22 and 23 November. More than 500 delegates from the private and public sectors attended this virtual two-day event.

During the Summit, new research that examined domestic healthcare systems in 13 countries* was released that highlighted an urgent need for governments to invest in healthcare systems despite global economic uncertainty in order to build resilience against future crises and the growing burden of disease.

The research, commissioned by the PHSSR, highlighted the need for governments around the world to address weaknesses in healthcare services which leave countries exposed to crises and increase the economic, social and environmental impact of disease.

Dr. Shyam Bishen, Head of Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum commented on the crisis facing healthcare systems globally.

The research was created using a framework designed by academics from the London School of Economics to identify system strengths, potential weaknesses, opportunities and risks. The framework examines seven key domain areas: financing, governance, workforce, medicines and technology, service delivery, population health, and environmental sustainability.

Below are a few research finding highlights into system weaknesses:

Healthcare systems are underfinanced and the financing mechanisms in place are often ineffective and do not incentivise better health outcomes.
Health services are grappling with staffing shortages and wellbeing issues. In addition, healthcare workforces are inequitably distributed, impacting their capacity to meet needs. In particular this affects people in rural areas, underprivileged and marginalised groups, and those with chronic conditions.
In many of the countries studied, providing coordinated and proactive care remains a challenge. Investments in primary care, prevention and health promotion also tend to be low.
Inequities are pervasive in healthcare and have deepened during COVID-19. Equally the social determinants of health remain under-emphasised in national policies.
Despite the fact human and climate health are inextricably linked, many healthcare systems are struggling to understand, monitor and take action to reduce their environmental impact, and adequately protect their populations from the health impacts of climate change.
Among the countries researched, there is a wide variation in the availability, completeness, and use of health data to drive evidence-informed decision making, policy evaluation and learning. Interoperability of disparate electronic health records systems is also a key challenge in many countries.

Baroness Minouche Shafik, Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science, commented on the findings.

“Health systems are there to protect us. They are one of the foundations of a healthy society and a prosperous economy. When a crisis hits, we need them to stand firm. We cannot repeat the same mistakes from the post-2008 financial crisis era which left health systems ill-prepared to deal with COVID-19 and the ever-rising burden of chronic diseases. Maximum efforts should therefore be taken to ensure that health systems are made more resilient to future crises, and in turn sustainable in the face of long-term pressures.”

Baroness Minouche Shafik

Director of the London School of Economics and Political Science

The research also highlighted the importance of collaboration to build more resilient and sustainable health systems. Exchanging knowledge with other sectors and across borders can accelerate improvements and strengthen healthcare systems.

This new research builds on evidence gained through an earlier round of work in 2021 that studied health systems in an initial group of eight countries.** Findings from a specific regional cohort, CEEBA Health Policy Network, looking into the Central Eastern Europe and Baltics area were also presented and discussed at the Global Summit.

Link to 2022 PHSSR Global Summit session recordings

Link to press release

*Countries include: Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Greece, India, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

**Countries include: England, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain and Vietnam.