Governance of Health Systems

This chapter considers the governance of national health systems. In the context of the WHO building blocks on health systems, the governance building block is fundamental in setting the direction of the overall system, identifying how different actors engage with both authority and accountability, and monitoring performance. The chapter identifies the core governance functions found in all systems. It further considers governance as it relates to key actors, be it within government at national and sub-national levels or with other sectors, i.e., non-state actors. The convergence of core functions and diverse actors contributes to governance as a dynamic function of health systems. The chapter concludes by noting the growing scholarship on the governance of health systems that provides novel insights into how health systems can achieve their health goals more effectively and efficiently.