Graphic recording of the Side Event. Copyright: © Susanne Asheuer

At the side event “Partnering for Efficiency: Strengthening Collaboration in Health Financing and Digital Health in Times of Resource Constraints”, hosted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), global health leaders showcased how smart, digitally powered partnerships can help countries build stronger, more equitable health systems – even when resources are tight.

This year’s World Health Summit (WHS) was held under the theme “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World“, putting a spotlight on shifting political priorities, shrinking donor funding, and growing competition for scarce resources. The fact that access to essential health services remains out of reach for more than half of the world’s population encapsulates the impact of these pressures on achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

Against this backdrop – and as a cornerstone for resilient health systems – strategic and innovative partnerships that bring together technical, financial, and digital health expertise are more critical than ever. The side event held on 14 October in Berlin during the WHS 2025 demonstrated how such collaborations can drive progress towards UHC, drawing on national experiences from Nepal, Cameroon, and Uzbekistan.

Anna Sophie Herken, member of the GIZ Management Board, emphasised the central role of strategic collaborations between health financing stakeholders, national governments, the private sector and development partners – and underscored GIZ’s active role in strengthening these partnerships. She also highlighted that digital transformation can help in using limited resources more efficiently and unlock domestic funding for health. Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO of Amref Health Africa, pointed to ongoing collaboration on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning platform for health insurance, calling for partnerships rooted in greater inclusivity, mutual accountability, and shared responsibility.

Coordinated Health Financing Efforts

Moderated by Serah Makka of The ONE Campaign, the panel featured Dr. Lisa Hoffmann (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ), Erika Placella (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, SDC), Dr. Tural Gulu (GIZ BACKUP Health Uzbekistan), Nadège Ngatsala (Cheque Santé, Cameroon), and Dr. Roshan Koju (Social Security Fund, Nepal).

The panellists underscored that health financing reforms require structured, long-term coordination across actors and levels of governance. Building on this discussion, Dr. Tural Gulu presented the Providing for Health (P4H) network, which unites national and international stakeholders to strengthen health financing capacity. By coordinating different health financing actors, P4H contributes directly to the more effective implementation of health financing reforms. Supported by Germany and Switzerland through GIZ, the network operates in multiple countries, including Uzbekistan, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Nepal.

Dr. Lisa Hoffmann emphasised the importance of uniting efforts and deepening collaboration for more coherent approaches. She reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to leveraging its expertise and trusted partnerships to support countries build stronger health systems – e.g. through sustainable, efficient financing mechanisms and by working together with partner countries on increasing domestic resource mobilisation.

Digitising Health Insurance Management: How Coordinated Digital Solutions Deliver Results

Digitalisation is transforming health systems, and initiatives like the open-source software openIMIS are leading the way. This free tool helps manage health insurance programs by tracking insured individuals, their benefits, and payment processing procedures – boosting transparency, efficiency, and sustainability. Countries such as Cameroon and Nepal have leveraged global networks and initiatives such as P4H and openIMIS to gain expert advice and technical support. Dr. Roshan Koju shared Nepal’s experience in using openIMIS to expand social protection nationwide. Nadège Ngatsala highlighted Cameroon’s progress towards achieving UHC. As a result of these efforts, around 23.4 million people across both countries now have better financial protection against illness.

Erika Placella praised the versatility of the tools and their successful application in various contexts, emphasising the value of long-standing cooperation with P4H, openIMIS, and Germany in advancing health for all. She also made the case for investing in health financing as a cornerstone of strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in times of resource constraints in official development assistance.

Leave No One Behind

Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department of the International Labour Organization (ILO), reminded participants that many people around the world remain unprotected and face financial barriers to essential healthcare. At the same time, investments in social protection and health sectors are not separate agendas but interconnected and mutually reinforcing social protection such as child benefits, unemployment benefits, and pensions. When they happen in tandem, countries can achieve poverty and health-related SDGs more efficiently. Shahra stated that we need a paradigm shift with a shared understanding of the mutually reinforcing nature of UHC and universal social protection. Partnerships like the P4H provide a unique space for breaking down silos between the social protection, health and finance sectors, and promoting a new culture of social development that is based on solidarity and equity, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Power of Partnerships

The side event demonstrated that coordinated partnerships and digital solutions are not optional – they are essential. Platforms such as P4H and openIMIS enable countries to expand health service coverage and make the most of limited resources. Success depends on sharing knowledge, pooling resources, and embracing shared responsibility to ensure health for all.

 Lara Müllner and Maria Gelen
November 2025