GLOBAL Capacity Development
for Health
WHO WE ARE
OUR APPROACH
AREAS OF WORK
OUR IMPACT

Overview

UNDP's commitment to addressing HIV and other major health and development challenges is based on the principles that health is a driver for and an indicator and outcome of development.

Strategy

As outlined in the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNDP’s support to countries aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformation for sustainable development and supporting governments to build resilience to shocks and crises.

Capacity Development role

UNDP defines capacity development as the process through which individuals, organizations and societies obtain, strengthen and maintain the capabilities to set and achieve their own development objectives over time.

Partners

Strong partnerships are the cornerstone of UNDP's work to strengthen systems for health. In its support to countries UNDP works closely with other United Nations entities, development organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia and key populations to develop resilient and sustainable systems for health.

UNDP-Global Fund partnership

The effectiveness of UNDP's model of health programme support, with its emphasis on end-to-end capacity development, is evident in the results of its long-standing partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund).

Overview

UNDP works with governments and partners to support the implementation and management of health programmes in challenging operating contexts.

Capacity Development of key partners

Implementing partners of health programmes require support and oversight to execute, manage and monitor their assigned roles effectively.

The Capacity Development plan

Whether in its role as an implementing partner managing large-scale HIV, TB, and malaria programmes funded by the Global Fund or as a technical assistance

Transitioning programmes to government

External donors have historically contributed a significant amount of financing for health programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

Health system components

Investments in resilient and sustainable systems for health lay the foundation for the effective and equitable delivery of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

Human rights

Human rights barriers include stigma and discrimination, punitive laws, policies and practices, violence, harassment, gender, and social and economic inequalities.

Key populations

People most affected by HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria are often the same people who are marginalised and have limited or no access to health care.

Gender

Gender equality is essential to achieving health and well-being for all, accelerate progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Latest

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Overview

Strengthening national systems for health: focus areas

 

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Investments in resilient and sustainable systems for health lay the foundation for the effective and equitable delivery of HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria programmes, other essential health services and the achievement of universal health coverage. As a key partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund), UNDP supports investments in strengthening systems for health. UNDP is increasingly requested by governments to provide technical assistance in core functional areas of health system strengthening, such as procurement and supply chain management or financial management systems.

Key areas for building resilient and sustainable systems for health

  1. The Global Fund’s Modular Framework Handbook underlines the following key areas for investment in resilient and sustainable systems for health:
  2. Health product management and systems strengthening. This includes policy strategy and governance; storage and distribution capacity; procurement capacity; regulatory and quality assurance support; and avoidance, reduction and management of health-care waste.

Examples

Case Study: Building Resilience Against Health Crises Through Long-Term Investments in Health Systems

In 2020, the simultaneous threats of malaria, Ebola, and COVID-19 placed immense strain on Burundi’s healthcare system. Since 2017, UNDP, with funding from the Global Fund, has supported the Ministry of Health in scaling up programs, procuring essential medical supplies, and strengthening supply chains. Key interventions included distributing 6.8 million bed nets, deploying mobile clinics, and conducting insecticide spraying in high-risk areas. Investments in health infrastructure and medical equipment enhanced Burundi’s ability to respond to emerging outbreaks. The national health crisis center, originally established for Ebola, became the coordination hub for COVID-19, equipped with 200 smartphones and laptops. Additionally, malaria control pumps were repurposed for medical decontamination, and a health monitoring app was adapted to track COVID-19 cases.

These efforts not only controlled disease outbreaks but also fortified Burundi’s healthcare system, ensuring life-saving medicines and diagnostic tools reached even remote communities. By strengthening disease surveillance and response capacity, Burundi reduced malaria-related deaths and enhanced its resilience against future health crises, protecting millions of lives.

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Case Study: Building resilience through strengthened ICU care

Strengthening the Intensive Care Unit ICU care in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) play a crucial role in providing emergency care, particularly in regions affected by conflict, disasters and public health crises. With support from the Global Fund, UNDP upgraded ICUs in Kandahar, Logar, and Balkh provinces, enhancing emergency care and infectious disease treatment for over 500 patients monthly. These improvements included renovating ICU wards and installing oxygen plants that deliver oxygen directly to patients’ beds while also generating backup supplies in cylinders. These measures enable the ICUs to provide intensive care services to patients in need.

These investments provide the infrastructure, equipment and healthcare capacity to improve critical care, manage infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, improve maternal and neonatal health and respond to emergencies and disasters. Crucially, this also ensures a more integrated healthcare network, enabling telecommunication links between departments and boosting the long-term readiness of facilities to respond to crises. With hundreds of patients now receiving care each month from the upgraded ICUs, this approach helps safeguard communities, bolster health systems and build resilience against future health emergencies.

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