Support for Health Systems Strengthening 

The Global Fund recognized early on that fighting the three diseases and support for health systems go hand in hand. Since its inception, Global Fund resources have strengthened health systems indirectly by reducing mortality among health workers and by reducing burden on the health systems by tackling the three diseases, so creating capacity to address other conditions. Countries can apply directly for funding for health systems strengthening through the rounds-based funding channel.

Until 2005 the ways in which Global Fund-supported programs contributed to strengthening health systems could not be explicitly tracked as such. Round 5 made the first call for separate health systems strengthening grant applications. However, that option was discontinued because of low uptake. Since Round 8, countries have been able to include funding for strategic health systems strengthening activities as part of disease-specific grant applications, or as part of a distinct, but complementary cross cutting health system strengthening section. Health systems elements eligible for funding include human resources, infrastructure and equipment, and monitoring and evaluation. Activities are coordinated with in-country partners as well as with national health plans. Since Round 5, US$ 1.8 billion has been approved for cross-cutting health systems strengthening activities.

Under the new Health Systems Funding Platform, countries can apply for health systems strengthening support within disease proposals, or they can apply for cross-cutting health systems strengthening support using a new joint proposal form with GAVI. A pilot will also be conducted in four to five selected countries that have conducted a joint assessment of their national health strategy.