Some reflections on priorities for health systems strengthening in the WHO European Region

2015

This report takes stock of the measures that Member States of the WHO European Region have put in place to strengthen health system accountability since the Tallinn Charter: Health Systems for Health and Wealth (2008) and the Health 2020 policy framework (2012) were adopted. These last years have been undoubtedly marked by significant challenges facing the health systems in the Region, including international and national environments affected by an economic crisis, increased health needs, as well as resource scarcity. However, and in spite of the challenging context, Member States across the Region have taken abundant and significant steps to improve health system accountability. This report summarizes the experiences of Member States strengthening health system accountability in the context of the momentum created by the Tallinn Charter and Health 2020 through rigorous goal setting, as well as health system performance measurement and review.