Using a Partnership-Based Approach to Strengthen Acute Care Systems in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Health Systems Strengthening
• Emergency and Critical Care

Background:

• Emergency and critical care services are vital for universal health coverage.
• World Health Assembly Resolution 76.2 emphasizes integrated emergency, critical, and operative care systems.
• Partnership-based approaches enhance healthcare equity and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Regional Emergency and Critical Care Systems Strengthening Initiative (RECSI).
• To outline RECSI's aim to enhance acute care capacity and healthcare system resilience in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.
• To describe RECSI's alignment with World Health Assembly Resolution 76.2.

Main Methods:

• RECSI is an Australian Government-funded program under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) initiative.
• The program focuses on four thematic areas: workforce capacity and training, systems and processes, data and research, and leadership and governance.
• A structured program logic and a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan with sustainability indicators were developed.

Main Results:

• RECSI utilizes a partner-led, context-specific program design.
• The initiative aims to build genuine partnerships to leverage skills, knowledge, and opportunities.
• The program logic details activities, outputs, and their contribution to outcomes.

Conclusions:

• RECSI represents a rigorous approach to acute care system strengthening.
• The initiative is designed to enable ongoing benefits from program outcomes.
• Building strong partnerships is key to enhancing healthcare systems in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.