June 30, 2026
Towards better care for mothers and newborns: lessons from Central Asia
Health systems are often designed around institutions rather than people. For patients – especially pregnant women – navigating these systems can be complex, fragmented, and at times overwhelming.
Health Systems Strengthening
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Health systems strengthening (HSS) has been a longstanding priority for German development cooperation.
To rise to current and emerging challenges – ranging from climate change to pandemics, antimicrobial resistance and a steady increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases – health systems need to be guided by strong plans and evidence-based policies and backed by adequate funding, trained and motivated health workers, a well-maintained infrastructure and a reliable supply of medicines and technologies.
German development cooperation promotes a comprehensive approach to health systems strengthening that is aligned with partner countries’ national priorities. It provides its support at three levels:
- Globally, Germany contributes to coordinated global health system strengthening efforts
- Multilaterally, it promotes health systems strengthening as priority e.g. in Global Fund processes
- At partner country level, it supports governments in strengthening health systems and in moving forward on their paths towards UHC
What does this look like in practice? The articles, studies, podcasts and events assembled on this page illustrate how Germany supports health systems strengthening.
Stories
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Towards better care for mothers and newborns: lessons from Central Asia
Health systems are often designed around institutions rather than people. For patients – especially pregnant women – navigating these systems can be complex, fragmented, and at times overwhelming.
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Navigating a Changing World: Inside the GIZ Sector Network Health & Social Protection Global Conference 2025
As global health and social protection systems come under mounting pressure, the GIZ Sector Network Health and Social Protection (HeSP) Global Conference, held from 9–11 December 2025 in Addis Ababa, offered a timely space for reflection and strategic dialogue.
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The Digital Frontline: Africa’s One Health Champions
In an era where urbanization, climate change and recurrent infectious disease outbreaks are reshaping the public health landscape across the African continent, countries face not only increasingly complex epidemiological threats but also a critical shortage of expertise required to prevent, detect and respond to them. Yet amid these challenges lies a distinct comparative advantage: a…
Events
Studies
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Towards more and better jobs in health
German support for human resources in health: Lessons and recommendations
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Digitalising Nepal’s health sector
A country’s journey towards an interoperable digital health ecosystem
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How rewards improve health practice in Malawi
Learnings from a Maternal and Newborn Health Initiative
