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Strengthening regional pooled procurement in Africa: Building capacity for equitable access to health products
Ensuring equitable access to affordable, quality-assured health products remains a critical challenge across many countries. Fragmented national procurement systems often lead to price disparities, supply insecurity, and unequal access—particularly for smaller markets.
One promising solution is regional pooled procurement, where countries collaborate to purchase health commodities collectively improving bargaining power, reducing costs, and strengthening supply security.
hera was recently commissioned for a consultancy by the The Global Fund focused on supporting African regional institutions to advance this approach.
Sustaining health system progress in fragile settings: Lessons from South Kivu
Improving health outcomes in fragile and conflict-affected settings requires sustained commitment, resilient systems, and alignment between programmes and broader contextual realities.
A recent assessment led by hera examined the impact of the fifth round of the Programme d’Appui au Système de Santé du Sud Kivu (PASS V) on the health system and population outcomes in South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The programme was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (DDC) through its office in Bukavu. The evaluation aimed to assess programme performance, capture lessons learned and inform future investments—including the ongoing Programme Santé Maternelle et Infantile (PSaMI).
Reducing financial hardship from healthcare spending in low- and middle-income countries: a rapid evidence assessment
Households across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to face significant financial hardship as a result of healthcare costs. Out-of-pocket payments can push families into poverty, deepen existing inequalities, and force people to delay or forego care altogether. Understanding which policies and interventions effectively protect households from these financial risks is critical for strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage. To tackle this challenge, hera recently completed a rapid evidence assessment (REA) for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Enhancing universal health coverage: Piloting of innovative tools for the Evaluation of the P4H Network (P4H)
The P4H Network aims to expand healthcare access, reduce financial burdens, and protect against catastrophic health costs. To measure and communicate its impact, a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation framework and tools were developed, including the innovative Critical Milestone Timelines tool.
Impact analysis of COVID-19 on humanitarian health response
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing humanitarian crises, overwhelming healthcare systems and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. To understand the impact on humanitarian health responses, the WHO Global Health Cluster commissioned hera to conduct a comprehensive assessment.
Developing vulnerability assessment tools for sexual and reproductive health and rights services in humanitarian settings
With the goal of better integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights services (SRHR) into humanitarian responses, and improving access to services for vulnerable populations, hera led a consortium to develop a handbook for East and Southern Africa. The project aimed to create standardised tools for assessing vulnerability and its impact on SRHR service delivery.
Update on the Spotlight Initiative Mid - Term Assessment: Eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls
In October 2020, hera was awarded a two-year contract with UN WOMEN for the Mid-Term Assessment of the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year initiative between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN), focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG).