Health system governance in settings with conflict-affected populations: a systematic review

Health system governance has been recognized as critical to strengthening healthcare responses in settings with conflict-affected populations. The aim of this review was to examine existing evidence on health system governance in settings with conflict-affected populations globally. The specific objectives were (1) to describe the characteristics of the eligible studies; (2) to describe the principles of health system governance; (3) to examine evidence on barriers and facilitators for stronger health system governance; and (4) to analyse the quality of available evidence. Overall, this review highlights the need for more theoretically informed empirical research on health system governance in settings with conflict-affected populations that draws on existing frameworks for governance.