Health Systems Strengthening
IHC’s approach to health systems strengthening (HSS) aligns with WHO’s
key building blocks. We have two decades of experience in providing
technical assistance to strengthen health systems in Africa.
We deploy a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to improve performance, efficiency, resilience, and overall quality of healthcare system. Our goal is to provide support to create a healthcare system that is responsive, equitable, and efficient.
We offer a wide range of technical support to strengthen health systems both locally and internationally focussing on leadership and governance, medicines and commodities, health financing, support for service delivery, health workforce capacity, and health information system.
We offer a wide range of technical support to strengthen health systems
both locally and internationally. Under our HSS scope of service, we provide TA to improve accountability and effective decision-making within the leadership and governance structure of the health system.
We design, implement, and manage health financing mechanisms, including health insurance and social health protections. We provide technical assistance to state insurance agencies to build institutional capacity to be fully operational to fulfil their mandates.
We support health systems to access essential medicines and commodities. We have national coverage and capacity to implement across all states in Nigeria.
Our Experiences
Leadership & Governance
Scoping Exercise of the Health Policies and Financial Structures.
IHC conducted the scoping exercise in five Nigerian states of Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, and Yobe. This scoping exercise was conducted to understand the states’ health policies & frameworks, leadership & governance, health service demand and supply, as well as health financing structures obtainable in these states.
Health policy frameworks were developed and health
service demand and supply information for all the
intervention states were developed and shared with
relevant stakeholders to guide health programmes
development and implementation.
Health Financing
Bonny Community Health Insurance Scheme (BCHIS) Study in Bonny Island, Rivers State
IHC was engaged by NLNG to conduct a study to ascertain the viability of introducing a community health insurance scheme into Bonny Island, to reveal the minimum amount an average community member will be able and willing to pay for the planned CHIS, and the approach and cost for implementing the scheme in Bonny Island.
Interviews were conducted with over 400 community members and stakeholders. Health facility assessments were also conducted in both private and public facilities on the Island.
Findings from this study contributed to the establishment of the community health insurance scheme in Bonny Island, Rivers State.
Support for Service Delivery
National Assessment of RH HIV service integration
IHC coordinated the national rapid assessment in 13 states of the country exploring the extent of policy and service integration in Nigeria
The extent of integrated services and policy environment was documented, and the changes were examined over time.
Health Workforce Capacity
Assessment of Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Management Capacity
IHC conducted the assessment to identify capacity gaps in the state’s PHC management system and to strengthen the PHC system service delivery. The diagnostic included health facilities assessment, key stakeholder interviews, and focused group discussions.
The process was concluded with reports validation and a state-led development costed PHC management capacity strengthening plan.
Medicines & Commodities
Market Research for the introduction of 7.1% Chlorhexidine Digluconate for Umbilical Cord Care in Nigeria.
IHC conducted market research in 4 States (Kano, Rivers, Osun, and Nasarawa states) to identify current practices around childbirth including cord care and value propositions, to segment the market, and develop recommendations for market entry.
The report from this market research was key in developing recommendations for market entry.
Health Information Systems
Lagos State Primary Healthcare Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Assessment
IHC conducted a Lagos State PHC M&E assessment to identify
the current gaps in the system, which was used to develop a
State PHC M&E strengthening plan. The plan includes activities
that will improve the M&E system of the State. The assessment
was conducted in line with the 12 components of a functional
M&E system and utilized the Performance of Routine
Information System Management (PRISM) framework. and it
was conducted at the State, LGA, and facility levels. It also
covers a statistically representative sample of all health facilities
under the PHC system across the five administrative districts
(20 LGAs) of the State; and at the state level, it includes key
informant interviews with selected relevant stakeholders. FGDs
were also conducted with Officers in charge (OiCs) and
designated record officers at the health facility level.
The results from this assessment were used to co-develop a costed PHC M&E strengthening plan with the relevant stakeholders in the State