Programs

Background  

During the implementation of the second strategic plan, the programmes health information and research made gains, which included the adoption of a regional policy and strategies for health information, development of a platform for health information sharing and management, networking of several health documentation centres and libraries within ECOWAS as well as some research institutions. In addition, WAHO...

Background       

The epidemiological profile of the region is marked by persist communicable diseases including neglected tropical diseases, increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases and problems of nutrition. Among the communicable diseases, malaria represents the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Tuberculosis continues to be of concern especially with the emergence of multi-resistance and co-infection tuberculosis/AIDS, which is the leading cause...

Background      

The West African region is frequently affected by recurring epidemics of measles, cholera, meningitis, Lassa fever and yellow fever, and since 2014 with the the Ebola virus disease, for which the national health systems are not adequately prepared to provide an appropriate response. In addition, very often the region is faced with natural and/or man-provoked disasters which can...

Background      

The health situation in the region is characterized by poor integration of the social determinants of health in development strategies and policies. The main elements are education, hygiene and basic sanitation, nutrition, communication for behavioural change, multi-sectoral collaboration, access to potable water, climate change and household incomes. In addition there is weak ownership of health programmes by communities....

Background       

Medicines are inaccessible for the majority of West Africans. This inaccessibility contributes to the persistence and spread of diseases in the ECOWAS region. Although production capacity exists in the region, most of the medicines are still imported. Furthermore, production and efficacy of medicines and vaccines depend on several factors among which  are, an effective regulatory regime, enforcement of...

Background

The products of Traditional Medicine (TM) continue to be the main source of health care for the vast majority of the population. It is for this reason that ECOWAS Member States have adopted several resolutions and declarations aimed at institutionalizing TM in their national health systems. However, weak regulatory and legislative frameworks, inadequate collaboration between practitioners of TM and...

Background      

Despite making significant progress, the health situation of mothers and children in the region is still marked by a high mortality rates, hence the inability of the countries to achieve MDGs 4 & 5. This is why MNCH continues to be a major priority for the region. Likewise the health situation of adolescents, young and old people is...

Background      

The health systems of the countries are now faced with enormous challenges, notably low health infrastructure coverage, inadequate and outdated medical equipment, lack of maintenance culture, insufficient qualified human resource and finance. Moreover, there is a lack of equipment and maintenance policy for the health sector in some countries in the region.

Problem Statement       

Insufficient health infrastructure...

Background 

The health systems of the countries are now faced with enormous challenges including low capacity for planning, monitoring and evaluation, coordination, organization, supervision, regulation, definition of standards and health information management systems. This affects the efficient management of health services and negatively impacts the quality of service and overall performance of health systems.

Problem Statement 

The weakness of the...

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....

Background

The national health systems of the ECOWAS countries face difficulties such as the low capacity for the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies; shortage of qualified personnel at all levels of the health pyramid; weakness in logistics management and institutional development. As part of its mandate, WAHO has provided technical assistance to Member States in these areas. However, this...

Background    

One of the essential characteristics of the regional health situation is the presence of several stakeholders in countries and in the region. The lack of an effective mechanism to coordinate partner interventions in the countries and in the region, can impair the use of resources by the various stakeholders in finding solutions to the health problems of the populations....

Background    

This Strategic Plan is being developed against the background of the institutional reform of ECOWAS, the existence of international health commitments, regional priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda. However, WAHO is facing challenges of limited human and financial resources, lack of institutional communication, use of information and communication technology and coordination of regional interventions, which calls for...