Overview

Objectives

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Define concepts related to health systems and the six building blocks of the WHO framework
  • Apply the health system assessment guideline tool in order to translate a local situation analysis into concrete health interventions
  • Conduct systemic diagnoses of health systems in context of crises (climate-related, migration, health emergencies)
  • Evaluate the institutional and operational capacity and resilience in times of crisis
  • Conceive strategies of interventions that combine efficiency, sustainability and good governance

Audience

Professionals in the humanitarian, development or social sector looking to develop their competencies in the health sector
Professionals from any other sectors (policy making, donor agency, government officials, health sector etc) who wish to increase their understanding of health systems in humanitarian contexts
Graduate students with relevant volunteer or intern experience, looking to undertake a postgraduate course with a view to entering the humanitarian secto

Programme

  • Days 1–2: Introduction to health systems, systems thinking, the role of governance, and the Health Systems Assessment (HSA) tool
  • Day 3: Health service delivery and quality; governance
  • Days 4–6: Health systems financing and health economics
  • Days 7–8: Health workforce, health technologies, and health information systems
  • Days 9–10: Application of the Health Systems Assessment using a real-life case study

 

Registration

Registration deadline

22 March 2026

Fees:

  • Full price: CHF 1’700

  • Partner rate (MSF, ICRC): CHF 1’360 (20% discount) 

  • Special Rate: CHF 850. Available exclusively to nationals or staff from local/national NGOs, CBOs, government, INGOs, or IOs in low/middle-income countries (OECD DAC list) with salaries aligned to local living costs. Proof required.

  • Application form for partial tuition waivers

  • No scholarships are available.

 

Admission criteria

  • University qualification (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)
  • At least three years of relevant professional experience
  • Excellent command of English* 

*Documents and language requirements for Executive Short Courses

Application File

  • CV (Resume) 
  • Cover letter (explaining what is the reason why you apply for this course and how will the acquired skills help you in your career) 
  • Employer’s funding agreement, if applicable 
  • Partial tuition fee waiver form, if applicable 
  • Highest educational qualification obtained 
  • Work certificate or official document of your current job position 
  • Proof of English language competence to be dated less than 2 years (see details below) 
  • Portrait photo (ID format) 
  • Scanned copy of the passport 

More information about the application process is available on our admissions page.

Cancellation Policy

Please consult our cancellation policy.

Curriculum

Period

20 April 2026 - 1 May 2026

Credits

2 ECTS credits

Teaching hours

50 distance teaching hours
The primary purpose of this intensive executive short course, based on Professor Blanchet's book Health System Resilience and Applied Systems Thinking for Health Systems Research, is to provide practical tools to understand how health systems function and how to assess the performance and resilience.
The course will familiarise participants with a system thinking and complexity science approach to health system management in low- and middle-income countries affected by polycrises (e.g. climate change, financial crises, large-scale populations displacement, humanitarian emergencies). Learning is grounded in practical, interactive examples and case studies, and delivered by experts with extensive experience in low- and middle-income settings.
This course offers a unique focus on health system resilience in times of crises and is built on the latest available evidence.

Director(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva

Coordinator(s)

Prof. Karl BLANCHET, Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, Geneva

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

FAQ