By Dr. N. Krishna Reddy, CEO, ACCESS Health International
Health shocks and other global events have disrupted health systems over the years, testing their ability to adapt and respond effectively. While we continue to focus on lessons learned and sharing best practices, it is also time to shift gears from collaborative learning to coordinated action. Theoretical knowledge has shaped our understanding, but the next crucial step is to put these learnings into practice, assess their impact, and refine strategies based on real-world application. To facilitate this shift, a framework to translate learning into action must be developed.
Multiple learning collaboratives are currently underway, yet the time has come to move beyond theoretical discussions and implement actionable strategies. Research on health systems resilience has primarily focused on developing conceptual frameworks and identifying key dimensions. However, a critical gap remains in understanding how to operationalize resilience effectively and determine ‘what works’ in different contexts.
Although health systems resilience is a relatively new concept in the health sector, multiple definitions and theoretical frameworks have emerged. The translation of theory into evidence and then into implementation research is crucial for identifying which strategies are most effective under varying circumstances. Currently, there is limited knowledge on successful strategies that have strengthened health systems resilience across different settings. Identifying these strategies could provide valuable guidance for policymakers, health system managers, and decision-makers to implement resilience-building measures before, during, and after a crisis.
Beyond research, strengthening governance and financing mechanisms, empowering middle-level leadership, improving surveillance systems, and bolstering human resources are key areas requiring attention. A renewed focus on health systems strengthening—integrating health security measures and international health regulations—has emerged as a crucial strategy for resilience.
The Global Learning Collaborative for Health Systems Resilience (GLC4HSR), initiated by ACCESS Health International in 2021, has embraced this challenge as its primary focus for 2025. Moving beyond cross-learning and research opportunities, GLC4HSR is now prioritizing collaborative action through communities of practice and pilot initiatives.
This shift will be reflected in our upcoming Annual Conclave, scheduled for March 11-12, 2025, in New Delhi. This landmark event will bring together global health leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to drive forward the operationalization of health systems resilience strategies.
A key initiative in this effort has been testing innovative approaches to assessing population health, its determinants, health needs, and health-seeking behaviors that contribute to the gap between health needs and healthcare demand. This includes evaluating health systems’ capacity to respond effectively to people’s health needs in both normal and crisis situations while ensuring financial protection. Additionally, the collaborative is developing a blueprint for future-ready surveillance, alert, and response systems and establishing a community of practice focused on resilient workforce strategies, among other critical initiatives.
ACCESS Health International remains committed to bridging the gap between knowledge and action. ACCESS Health is incorporating some of the lessons learnt from the previous GLC4HSR Annual Conclave deliberations in its various ongoing projects involving communities and health systems across the three regions in Asia. As we move forward, our focus must not only be on learning from past experiences but on implementing, testing, and refining strategies that will make health systems more adaptive, responsive, and resilient to future shocks.
We invite all stakeholders—researchers, policymakers, implementers, and funders—to join us in this mission. The time for coordinated action is now.