International Working Group for Health Systems Strengthening

04/23/2026

The Opportunity is Here🥁

From policy to practice; hear directly from experts shaping Africa’s clinical trials ecosystem.

Featuring leaders from Africa CDC, Blue Cloud X & IWG Health Systems Strengthening, this session will cover:
- Pathways into clinical research
• Skills that matter
• How youth can close Africa’s trials gap

🗓 Tomorrow 23 April 2026
⏰ 14:00 GMT

🔗 Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/f-pOECRLSIegfc7JyxO

You don’t want to miss this!!!

11/26/2025

At IWGHSS, we’ve spent the past 3 months working with the Africa CDC Youth Programme and youth partners on a Youth in Global Health Governance Report – including a simple scorecard to track how global health institutions are really doing on youth mainstreaming.

We’re now ready to share some early insights and we want young people to help test, question, and improve this tool before we take it further.

🗓️ Webinars: 29 November & 1 December 2025
🎯 Focus: preliminary findings, youth mainstreaming scorecard, and youth pathways into research & publishing
✅ Attend both sessions = certificate as a youth consultant on the project

🔗 Link in the bio

We’d love for youth across Africa and beyond to join us in holding global health institutions accountable to meaningful youth inclusion.

08/29/2024

🚨 Urgent Call to Action 🚨

Ten months into the war in Gaza, the healthcare crisis has reached catastrophic levels. Over 413 humanitarian organizations have declared: “We are living in an era of impunity.” The relentless attacks on healthcare workers (HCWs) and facilities are not just violations—they are atrocities. As public health professionals living and working in Palestine, Duha Shellah and Sabreen Abeedallah urgently call on global health organizations to unite and protect the rights and lives of HCWs in Gaza. The status quo is no longer tenable—this is a moral and ethical crisis that demands collective action.

Read their full editorial here: https://iwghss.org/2024/08/29/protecting-gazas-healthcare-workers-a-global-responsibility-and-urgent-call-for-unified-action/

08/27/2024

NEW BLOG ALERT | 🌍 Youth are leading the charge in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs across the globe! In this insightful blog post, Bisrat Dessalegn takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH). Bissrat highlights how meaningful youth participation is not just a concept, but a powerful reality driving positive change worldwide.

Link: https://iwghss.org/2024/08/23/meaningful-youth-participation-in-adolescent-and-youth-sexual-reproductive-health-programming/

From the intricacies of decision-making to the hands-on implementation of initiatives, young people are shaping policies and services that directly impact their lives. This blog delves into the strategies that have proven effective, the challenges that remain, and the inspiring success stories from various regions. Whether you are a youth advocate, a policymaker, or simply interested in how youth are making a difference, this post is for you.

Together, we can amplify youth voices and create sustainable change in SRH programs. 🌟

With editorial support from Bettina Buabeng-Baidoo.

When youth are meaningfully involved, programs become more effective, sustainable, and responsive to their needs, while empowering youth and enhancing their skills. True engagement aligns strategie…

07/08/2024

NEW BLOG ALERT | One Health: A Veterinarian’s Perspective

In this important blog post written by Peterkin Munywoki and edited by Dr. Bettina Buabeng-Baidoo, Peterkin reflects on the importance of meaningfully integrating and embedding the expertise and perspectives of veterinarians to advance the 'One Health' approach. This blog, inspired by an enlightening discussion between Peterkin and our team in response to his reflections about the omission of veterinarians' during an IWG-led panel discussion on World Youth Day, has given us plenty of food for thought, and we hope it does the same for you too. This blog serves as a clarion call to global health institutions, organizations, and movements: It’s time to prioritize and integrate a 'One Health' approach, which recognizes and values the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.

As Peterkin notes: Recognizing the importance of the One Health approach is just the beginning; it’s essential to actively incorporate veterinarians’ perspectives into broader discussions and strategic initiatives aimed at fortifying health systems globally. Veterinarians bring a wealth of knowledge in managing not only the health of animals but also in understanding the intricate ways in which animal and human health intersect.

Link to blog: https://iwghss.org/2024/07/08/one-health-a-veterinarians-perspective/

06/27/2024

WEBINAR ALERT | Beyond the Rainbow: Is Equality Within Reach for LGBTQ+ Individuals?

Register now: https://nus.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJrKH2Aiun6k2Fg

Despite growing calls for the recognition of same-sex marriage and equal rights for LGBTQ+ communities, significant challenges and disparities remain, particularly in Southeast Asia. How far have we come? Are we truly close to achieving equality?

Join us for an enlightening and thought-provoking fireside chat in celebration of Pride Month. This special event will explore the current state of LGBTQ+ equality in four diverse countries in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Our discussion will delve into the unique challenges faced and the progress made in each country, providing a comprehensive overview of the strides towards equality and the work that remains.

Date: June 30, 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 7:00 PM (UTC/GMT +8)
Register now: https://nus.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJrKH2Aiun6k2Fg

Featuring panelists Aivan Alvarez, Putri Widi Saraswati, June Chua, Jeremy Tan, Edith, Yu Sheng Teo. The session will be moderated by IWG WPR members Aysha Farwin and Rod Charlie Delos Reyes. Closing remarks will be provided by Elijah Tay.

06/25/2024

🚨 BLOG ALERT 🚨 If you haven't already, read this exciting blog by Dr Ng Yeuk Fan and Dr Teo Ken Wah from the Yishun Health Network on a method that combines design thinking, systems thinking, and complexity thinking to tackle the complex puzzle of health systems transformation: https://iwghss.org/2023/09/19/embarking-on-your-health-care-transformation-journey-health-system-transformation-playbook-is-here-to-help/

08/18/2023

🌍 Embrace the power of youth leadership in health! 🕒 Mark your calendars for August 19th (tomorrow!) and join us for an enlightening webinar on "Youth Leadership in Health." Discover how young leaders like Kachusha Nkosha, Mohammad Yasir Essar, Rebecca Cherop, and Lucy Fagan are making a significant difference worldwide. The session will be moderated by Sitra Nuredin, IWG Global Advocacy and Media Co-Director.

Gain insights, ask questions, and be part of the change. Secure your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iwg-webinar-youth-leadership-in-health-tickets-700273907107?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/13/2023

🌟✨ On this , we're proud to honor the inspiring young minds who are driving change in the world of public health! As the International Working Group for Health Systems Strengthening (IWG), we're dedicated to fostering a global community of emerging health leaders. Together, we're shaping stronger health systems that will make a lasting impact. Join us throughout this week in celebrating the passion and commitment of these incredible youth! Watch this space for more information.💙🌍

06/02/2023

📢 Join us for the IWG Eastern Mediterranean Regional Hub's webinar on Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the EMR! 🌍🌡️

🗓️ Save the date: June 5, 2023, at 12:00pm UTC
🌐 Online event

We're excited to invite you to our webinar, where we'll address the urgent need for equitable access to quality health services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. 🏥✨

🔹 Explore the challenges, progress, and potential solutions for achieving UHC in the EMR.
🔹 Hear from esteemed speakers and emerging public health professionals from the region.
🔹 Gain insights into the current state of UHC at the national level and learn from national experiences.

🎙️ Keynote Speaker: Dr. Shehla Zaidi - a distinguished Professor of Health Policy & Systems and a leading figure in global health.
🌍 Panelists: Ghiwa Nassereddine, Deena Mariyam, Saad Uakkas, Ahsan Ali, and Skander Essafi - passionate professionals dedicated to driving positive change in healthcare.

Don't miss out on this informative and engaging event! Join us as we work towards Universal Health Coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

🔗 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/strengthening-health-systems-in-the-eastern-mediterranean-region-uhc-tickets-642286896397