USAID recognizes the importance of strong health systems to achieving health goals, such as ending preventable maternal and children deaths, and sustaining health gains. Last summer, the Office of Health Systems (OHS) launched a Global Call for Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Cases with the aim of understanding the “nature and impact of USAID’s substantial investments in HSS.”

Implementing partners submitted over 145 case studies for consideration. After careful evaluation, OHS’s review team and senior management selected the top ten cases, which were published online today.

Of several case studies submitted by the Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project, three submissions were selected by OHS and combined into one overall case example of USAID’s HSS support in Ethiopia. The case study, “Ethiopia Health Financing Reform: Three Examples of USAID Support,” showcases USAID/Ethiopia’s work in health finance and governance with the Government of Ethiopia and the Federal Ministry of Health. The three health financing activities selected and combined for the case study included:

1. Revenue retention and utilization in public sector facilities;
2. National Health Accounts; and
3. Financing Community-Based Health Insurance.

Summaries of the top ten cases, and downloadable copies of all submissions, can be found on the Global Call for Health Systems Strengthening Cases website.