The global COVID-19 pandemic tested health systems around the world. Many countries struggled to respond to the rapidly spreading pandemic while also maintaining the provision of essential health services. As we work to restore essential health services to pre-pandemic levels, strengthening health systems is an essential step, with primary health care as the foundation. 

Over the past year, USAID commissioned multiple learning activities to better understand the role of health systems strengthening approaches and digital health within COVID-19 investments in low-and middle-income countries, and how responses designed to address immediate needs also helped to prepare for future shocks and strengthen health systems for the long term. This work is evidence of how health system strengthening reinforces resilience, helps to ensure sustained quality primary health care, and can help countries be more prepared for future health emergencies. 

On Universal Health Coverage Day, please join the Wilson Center, in partnership with the US Agency for International Development, MOMENTUM Knowledge Accelerator, and the Local Health System Sustainability Project, for a robust discussion on lessons learned from incorporating health system strengthening approaches into COVID-19 response efforts to sustainably strengthen resilient health systems and advance our efforts to achieve universal health coverage and Health For All. Speakers will share context-specific examples of lessons learned and remaining challenges, as well as how the findings can support future pandemic preparedness and advance health system resilience. 

Follow the conversation on Twitter at @Wilson_MHI, @USAID_MOMENTUM, @USAIDGH, and @LHSSproject and on Instagram at @MaternalHealthInitiative using the hashtags #MHDialogue, #HealthForAll, and #HealthSystems. Find more coverage of these issues on the blog NewSecurityBeat.org/Dot-Mom.