Learning and knowledge sharing are fundamental to the LHSS Project. We invite you to search LHSS knowledge products and resources for the latest approaches, insights, and learning in the field of integrated health systems strengthening.
![Kazakhstan Meeting 2.9](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2024-02/426252448_785353296964967_8140811615553209978_n.jpg?itok=7H250kjj)
With LHSS support, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted an Interagency Technical Working Group Coordination Meeting in Astana. Ministries of Health, Veterinary Services, Agriculture, and Ecology, alongside international organizations, discussed collaborative preparedness, human resource capacity for One Health, and joint disease investigation.
For countries wanting to strengthen health budget execution, learning about promising approaches used by others is one thing but putting them into practice is another. This blog reveals how two countries, Lao PDR and Peru, adapted promising practices and began to implement them.
![Image of two ministry of health in front of COVID-19 communications poster](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-05/Laos.png?itok=lyYtv0SX)
In response to an emergency request from the Government of Laos, the Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS) is on the ground in Laos working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to combat the spread of COVID-19.
![lessons from three countries blog](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2023-12/1_pJqi4VUgyKSGrIHEy2N75w_1.jpg?itok=PzQC6APd)
What do Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Kenya have in common? All three countries have strengthened their budget structures and processes to enable good health budget execution. Their experiences hold valuable lessons for others striving to increase budget execution and unlock significant resources for health.
![health worker in PPE analyzing a COVID-19 test](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2022-03/pasteur%20%281200%20%C3%97%20643%20px%29.png?itok=MpE3DBv_)
By now, much has been written about the egregious global inequities in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. But less has been said about another inequity that holds serious implications for global health: the disparities in genomic sequencing capacities and capabilities worldwide.
![Bangladesh Mother and Child (Credit: David Stanley)](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-11/Bangladesh%20mother%20and%20child_%20credit%20to%20David%20Stanley.jpg?itok=jceUofn3)
Poor budget execution results in inefficiencies that undermine the ability of health agencies to improve access to needed health services and improve population health. Yet billions of dollars in unexecuted health budgets are returned to treasuries every year.
![A laboratory specialist in Kazakhstan handles samples for testing in July 2020.](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-07/HSRblog%20%282%29.jpg?itok=nuvOgEr3)
The events of the past 18 months underscore the importance of generally strong, equitable, and accessible health systems. COVID-19 is not the only threat we face, and as we prepare for the future it is critical that we begin to sufficiently invest in the foundational health system strengthening required to develop lasting resilience.
![Khamphian Maithaphom, a fourth-year medical student volunteer, at the hotline center in April](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2021-10/answering%20the%20call_0_resized.png?itok=QP1GRg29)
At the request of the Laos Ministry of Health, LHSS helped mobilize volunteer medical students to support a national hotline for COVID-19. At the peak of the Pai Mai holiday, the hotline fielded 5,000 calls a day.