Abstract
WHO promotes a "systems strengthening" approach to improve the performance of health systems, with consideration given to six "building blocks," namely: leadership and governance, service delivery, human resources, health technologies, information systems, and financing. While this chapter addresses each component separately, it should be recognized that it is the interaction of these components - as well as coordination across other sectors such as education, employment and social welfare - that enables people with SCI to access the care they need.
SCI is relevant to almost all aspects of a health system. Therefore, measures to ensure that the needs of people with SCI are met effectively have the potential to benefit not just people with disabilities but also other people using the health system.
The chapter concludes with a series of recommendations that provide general guidance to countries willing to strengthen the capacity of their health systems to meet the needs of people with SCI.