Linking programmes and systems: lessons from the GAVI Health Systems Strengthening window.

Objectives: To analyse the first four rounds of country applications to the GAVI Alliance Health Systems Strengthening (GAVI-HSS) funding window; to provide valuable insight into how countries prioritize, articulate and propose solutions for health system constraints through the GAVI-HSS application process and to examine the extent to which this process embodies alignment and harmonization, Principles of the Paris Declaration.

Methods: The study applied multiple criteria to analyse 48 funding applications from 40 countries, submitted in the first four rounds, focusing on the country analysis of health systems constraints, coordination mechanisms, alignment with national and sector planning processes, inclusiveness of the planning processes and stakeholder engagement.

Results: The applications showed diversity in the health systems constraints identified and the activities proposed.