285 Strengthening health system financing in complex humanitarian contexts: analysis from Northwest Syria and its implications for other disrupted contexts - PTH 8 - Miscellaneous

Sep 30, 2026

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Health financing in northwest Syria is shaped by protracted war, forced displacement, fragile donor-dependent systems, weak governance, and limited state presence. This study provides actionable evidence on allocating scarce financial resources to reduce fragmentation, increase resilience, and strengthen sustainability. Using a mixed-methods case study, desk reviews, key informant interviews, expert meetings, thematic analysis, and causal loop diagrams are used within the WHO Health Financing Progress Matrix (HFPM). Findings diagnose financing bottlenecks, especially coordination across multiple actors, and test guidance fit for disputed, complex emergency settings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Aims

Northwest Syria context and study goal

Methods

Mixed methods approach and analytical tools

Results

Diagnostic of financing arrangements using HFPM

Conclusions

Challenges and opportunities for system strengthening

2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi107 financing and system recovery. We also propose areas of adaptation of the framework to make it more suitable to these disrupted settings. Conclusions: We highlight health financing challenges but also opportunities for system strengthening in northwest Syria. While specific, these challenges reflect features that are commonly found in other disrupted settings, so better understanding of their nature and how to address them is important for moving ahead with UHC globally. Suggested adaptations of the HFPM for complex emergency and disputed settings is also a contribution to the development of this important normative and measurement tool. Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.293 285 Strengthening health system financing in complex humanitarian contexts: analysis from Northwest Syria and its implications for other disrupted contexts Ibrahim Bou Orm1, Abdulkarim Ekzayez2, Sumit Mazumdar3, Sophie Witter4, Fouad Fouad1 1ReBUILD for Resilience, Liverpool School Of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom 2Kings College London, London, United Kingdom 3University of York, York, United Kingdom 4ReBUILD for Resilience, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom PTH 8: Miscellaneous 1, B304 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 11:30 - 12:30 Aims: In Northwest Syria, successive periods of protracted war and forced displacement have led to shifting, fragile, and donor-dependent health systems. Our study aims to contribute to actionable evidence on the optimal use of scarce financial resources to reduce fragmentation, increase resilience, and build sustainability in the context of Northwest Syria and similar areas which lack strong governance and/or state presence. Methods: The study took a mixed methods case study approach, using data from (1) a desk review of key reports, agency publications, and relevant databases, (2) key informant interviews and (3) an expert meeting, including drawing on the expertise of the research group. These were analysed thematically and used to develop causal loop diagrams that capture the complexities of financing in this setting. Findings were then compared with international health financing guidance to probe how fit this guidance is for disputed areas and protracted emergency settings. Results: We present a diagnostic of financing arrangements in Northwest Syria, using the framework of the WHO Health Financing Progress Matrix (HFPM), highlighting specific financing bottlenecks, especially around coordination across the multiple actors, and propose interventions to support sustainable health

FAQs

What is the main aim of the study on northwest Syria’s health systems?

To generate actionable evidence on how to optimally use scarce financial resources to reduce fragmentation, increase resilience, and build sustainability in northwest Syria and similar disrupted areas.

Which methods does the study use to analyze health financing complexities?

A mixed-methods case study using a desk review, key informant interviews, and an expert meeting, followed by thematic analysis and causal loop diagram development.

What does the study identify as key bottlenecks in financing?

Specific financing bottlenecks, particularly coordination challenges across multiple actors, are highlighted in the diagnostic of financing arrangements using the WHO HFPM.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Adam