INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH SYSTEMS 

Course Description: This course is intended for students who are planning a career in health care management and/or health care policy studies. The primary aim of this core course is to achieve in postgraduate students understanding of basic concepts of health systems, their classifications, complexity and approaches in health system reforms. Issues to be covered by this course include: 

• Definition of a system, explanation of health system goals (health status improvements, addressing health inequalities, responsiveness and fairness in financial contribution);
• Introduction to students health systems functions (stewardship, resource generation and provision of health services) and components (infrastructure, referrals, technical competence, equipment and drug supply);
• Explanation of processes of decentralization and privatization;
• Identification of key problems systems faces in transition and how they adapt to changes and reforms;
• Development of system approach in analysis and performance assessment of national health systems.