Introduction: health in fragile states
Health in fragile states is not a concept that can be easily described in a single paragraph. With some of the worst health indicators and the least adequate health services in the world, providing health services and rebuilding health systems in fragile states is a complex undertaking. It involves a complex interplay between the specific context of a country, the need for meeting short term health needs as well as longer term health system strengthening, the interest of the international aid community in specific countries and not in others and the interests of the international donor community to invest in health.
This section provides a definition of fragile states, and explores issues related to meeting the health-related Millennium Development Goals in these states. Other sections of this dossier will explore approaches to health services delivery, review the six WHO health systems building blocks, discuss aid effectiveness and look at the role of health in the governance agenda, all in the context of fragile states.
Recommended resources
- Why we need to work more effectively in fragile states
- ( Department for International Development, UK , 2005)
- This paper lays out DfID’s commitment to working more effectively in fragile states. A working definition of fragile states is outlined as "where the government cannot or will not deliver core functio...
- Achieving the Health Millennium Development Goals in fragile states
- ( High-Level Forum on the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) , 2004)
- The success of the Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) requires major improvements in health systems and health outcomes across the developing world. This paper by The ...
- Fragile states strategy
- ( US Agency for International Development , 2005)
- This strategy sets out how USAID can most effectively respond to fragile states. The strategy’s overall goal is to guide USAID’s efforts in reversing decline in fragile states and advancing their reco...
- Fragile States, DFID
- High-Level Forum on the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
- High-level forum to accelerate action on the health-related MDGs
