Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Government response to the Fifth Report of the International Development Committee, Session 2014-15, HC 816, whether the Department has developed its position paper on health systems strengthening.

As recognised by the Fifth Report of the International Development Committee, DFID is a world-leader in health systems strengthening. A good health system delivers quality services to all people when and where they need them, addresses the social determinants of health such as nutrition and sanitation, and can prevent and respond to shocks such as disease outbreaks. DFID is in the final stages of developing a position paper on how we will work with developing countries to create strong and resilient health systems.