Background      

The human resource for health in the region is marked by the lack of skilled health workers, disparity in the regulation of health professions, lack of recognition of qualifications thereby inhibiting the process of regional integration. In addition, training institutions have their capacity limited byinadequate qualified trainers, materials and equipments as well as inadequate networking among learned societies. The availability and quality of health care, and public and private investment in health are frustrated by the shortage of qualified health professionals. This situation is more pronounced in remote and underserved areas, where the majority of our populations live. The migration of health professionals to developed countries has further aggravated an already critical situation.

Problem Statement     

The lack of qualified health care professionals and their poor utilization within the ECOWAS region limit the provision of quality health services and care.

Programme Objective

Facilitate the training, utilization and free movement of health professionals in the ECOWAS region

Programme Outcomes

Quality human resources for health available and utilized in the ECOWAS region

Programme Components 

• Training of human resources for health
• Utilization of human resources for health

Specific Objectives 

• Promote harmonization of training curricula of health professionals
• Develop strategies for the continuous training of health professionals
• Develop strategies for motivation of health professionals;
• Develop strategies for inter-country mobilsation of health professionals
• Harmonise the regulation of the practice of health professions.

Major Interventions  

• Development and implementation of harmonized curricula for basic and in-service training
• Accreditation of training  institutions
• Promotion of continuous training
• Strengthening the structures for the regulation of health professions
• Updating the regional action plan for the motivation and retention of health workers
• Development of the regional plan for the development of human resources for health and supporting the countries in its implementation;
• Networking of learned societies.
• Establishment of a platform for inter-country mobilisation of health professionals
• Identification of country specialist training needs and development of a regional plan

Intermediate Outcomes   

• Curricula for basic and in-service specialised training harmonized and used
• Status of community health workers recognized
• Accreditation criteria of training institutions implemented
• Continuous training modules developed and placed on line
• Pool of regional and national trainers available
• Language skills and competences of health professioinals strengthened
• Codes of ethics and of practice for the different health professionals harmonized and applied
• Regional action plan for motivation and retention of health workers updated
• Regional plan for human resource development adopted
• Network of learned societies created or strengthened.
• Platform for inter-country mobilization of health professionals established and functioning
• Country specialist training needs identified and a suitable regional plan developed