Improving health services and strengthening health systems: adopting and implementing innovative strategies

In recent years a number of specific strategies for improving health services and strengthening health systems have been consistently advocated. In order to advise governments, WHO commissioned this exploratory study to examine more closely the track record of these strategies in twelve low-income countries. Data were gathered primarily from reviews of existing materials and interviews with key informants. Findings were reviewed at a consultation in July 2005. This paper presents main findings and conclusions.