Institute for Resilient Health Systems

Transforming health systems to achieve health for all

after flooding of the Nakhu River in Lalitpur, Nepal.

We are dedicated to establishing and growing a cross-disciplinary network of researchers who, through partnerships with a special focus on underserved communities, contribute to health systems’ abilities to prepare, adapt, and transform in the face of shocks and stressors and reduce avoidable and unfair differences in health worldwide.

Fragile and unprepared health systems struggle to respond effectively to disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, and conflict. This leads to preventable deaths and widening inequities.

Resilient health systems are better equipped to handle interconnected shocks and stressors, ensuring the continued delivery of essential health services. This is essential for protecting vulnerable populations, promoting health equity, and contributing to sustainable development.

Work with us

Our research focus and approaches

We conduct transdisciplinary and participatory research for health equity

At IRHS, we prioritise health system anticipation and preparedness to shocks by drawing on local knowledge, trusted partnerships, and analysis of stakeholder relationships and power dynamics.

Using innovative, transdisciplinary, and participatory research embedded in systems thinking, we co-create and evaluate resilience strategies with a focus on strengthening primary care functions, aiming to transform health systems and advance health equity and justice.

We support health systems researchers and organisations worldwide

IRHS aims to deliver training programmes and develop toolkits for health systems researchers worldwide so they can generate rigorous evidence and drive impactful health systems and policy change.

We also support our partners in grant writing and research implementation.

We translate knowledge and evidence into action

Our growing team of partners in the majority world, including researchers, programme managers, and postgraduate students listen to local priorities and continually contribute to knowledge translation and advocacy.

We amplify our reach and influence through publications, policy briefs, practical frameworks, symposia, media interviews and events, and multimedia content.

Dr Euphemia Sibanda

Euphemia Sibanda is an epidemiologist based at the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research Zimbabwe, where she is Deputy Executive Director (Science).

Professor Miriam Taegtmeyer

Professor Taegtmeyer leads research to strengthen community health systems in low-resource settings, focusing on HIV, universal health coverage, and quality improvement. Her work informs global policy and builds local capacity through collaborative, implementation-focused approaches across Africa and Asia.

Dr Joanna Raven

Joanna Raven is a professor in health systems, specialising in the health workforce in low- and middle-income countries.

Our impact

We have been driving health system transformation for over 30 years

While the IRHS is a new institute within LSTM, our staff involved have a 30-year history through the former Centre for Health Systems Strengthening (CHESS).

Our teams have long worked to tackle health system challenges in low- and middle-income countries and more recently in Liverpool on urban health and community health, and on health system preparedness and response to antimicrobial resistance, outbreaks, conflict, and climate change.

Today, we continue to leverage this expertise in collaboration with partners on various projects spanning over 20 countries.

We lead cross-sector collaborations with lasting impact

Our collaborations with local partners are driving real change in health systems in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and the UK.

By working across sectors and disciplines, LSTM has helped shape solutions that are grounded in context, embraced and owned by stakeholders, and built to last.