What is IHLFS?

IHLFS is a three year scheme that supports Health Links between health institutions in developing countries and the UK. Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the Department of Health (DH), it is jointly managed by THET and the British Council. The scheme aims to strengthen the capacity of health services in developing countries by providing £1.25 million each year to support the work of Health Links.

A Health Link (also known as a Link) is a formalised partnership between a health institution in a developing country and a counterpart in the UK. The purpose of a Link is to strengthen health systems and improve health service delivery in both developing and developed countries by allowing for a reciprocal transfer of skills and knowledge between people working in the healthcare sector.

What will the scheme support?

IHLFS supports activities that focus on training health staff and enhancing the capacity of health systems in developing countries. The Link’s activities also benefit the UK partners by developing staff skills and improving their understanding of global health issues.

Who can apply?

The scheme will focus on Links that support priorities set out in the national health plans of target developing countries.

Small grants will be open to health institutions in the UK and the following countries:

• Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam and Yemen.

Medium and Large grants will be available to Links between health organisations in the UK and the following countries:

• Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.
• Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.

The scheme will focus on Links that support the needs and priorities of local, district and national health plans in the developing country