Reviewing national health programmes to leave no one behind

WHO supports efforts to leave no one behind in national health programmes by identifying ways to make concrete, meaningful and evidence-based  change. This includes putting in motion a review process which results in recommendations for specific entry points and actions to make health programmes more equity-oriented, rights-based and gender responsive, while addressing critical social determinants of health influencing programme effectiveness and outcomes.

The Innov8 approach is an 8-step review process undertaken by a multidisciplinary national review team to reduce inequities in health service access, financial protection and health status, including through reforms towards universal health coverage, enhanced intersectoral action, stronger social participation, gender-responsive and rights-based programming, and health inequality monitoring. This resource supports the operationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the progressive realization of universal health coverage and the right to health. It is best applied in synergy with a national health programme’s planning and review cycle.

The Innov8 approach for reviewing national health programmes to leave no one behind can be adapted to, align with and feed into specific regional, national or programmatic contexts, as well as existing programme planning and review processes. It complements and links with other existing tools, processes and capacity building efforts developed by WHO and by its partners. Innov8 should also be considered in conjunction with other WHO resources for strengthening the programme under review.