Forum attached to E-tivity 4.1

A health system is all the building blocks that contribute to the promotion, prevention, curative and interventions intended to maintain and restore health of the people. This system can be made up by sub-systems but all involve planning, analysis of the health status of a country, demographic profile and social economic status with the ultmate goal of establish a sound health system that address the health needs of the population with  cost effective and sustainable measures.

The key components and functions of the health systems are ; 1) leadership and governance that set strategic policy framework, facilitate effective management and accountability, 2) health care financing that mobilise adequate funds, pools funds and purchases services, 3) health workforce that is responsive, fair and efficient, 4) medical products and technologies that ensure equitable access to scientifically sound and cost effective use, 5) information and research that produces, analyses, disseminates and use reliable and timely information and lastly 6) service delivery that provides effective, safe and good quality health care. 

The health care system is a component of the health system. The health system defines the health care system in the process of facilitating the smooth planning and implementation of health service delivery. The health care system defines the health structure of the country for services delivery such as service package at different level of service, staffs and equipments. Example : In Rwanda, the structure of the health care from the community to referral hospital is made up by community health workers, health posts, health centers, district hospitals, provincial hospitals and university teaching hospitals and referral hospitals.

It is not easy to differentiate the health system and the health care system as the two are interconnected but a well sound health system defines and produce an appropriate health care system.

Universal health coverage is the goal for achieving the provision of cost effective care accessible by the general population of a country regardless of their social economic status and not exposing the poor to the financial hardship. The universal health coverage goals include equity in the use of health services, quality care and financial protection that is the degree to which households are protected from financial risk when ill and able to afford to use health services when they need them.