The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) has urged stakeholders to devise comprehensive strategies to address critical health sector challenges in the African region following the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Regional Multistakeholder Consultative Forum on Strengthening Public Health Systems and Enhancing Vaccine Access and Justice in West Africa held in Abuja, Omolara Balogun, the Head of Policy Influencing and Advocacy at WACSI, emphasized the pressing need for more concerted efforts.
Balogun highlighted a recent study indicating that the region continues to grapple with both longstanding and emerging health crises. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Cape Verde.
Emphasizing the urgency to bolster the region’s health sector to achieve universal health coverage, Balogun stressed the forum’s significance in collectively evaluating the progress made toward achieving public health objectives.
‘‘This introspection (at national, and regional levels) will enable us to identify the most pressing needs, shed light on prevailing policy gaps, raise awareness, and intensify advocacy for strong, resilient, and equitable public health systems that will enable us to achieve the universal health coverage and meet united nations sustainable development goals before or by 2030 (that is 6-years away).
‘‘The role of Civil Society Organisations in the pursuit and achievement of SDGs Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) cannot be overstated. CSOs are not mere observers, they are advocates, accountability partners, and drivers of change. Their role encompasses institutional preparedness, process reform, health financing, research, community engagement, and support for vulnerable populations.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Accountability and Inclusive Development, CAAID, has also warned that Africa needs to better prepare for the next post-COVID-19 era.
The Executive Director, CAAID, Aanu Rotimi said there was no way Africa could prepare without evidence or investment.
She called on Civil Society Organisations to step out of their boundaries and ensure that all stakeholders are part of the ecosystem for impactful action.
”We cannot prepare without evidence or investment, we must continue to produce local content and policy.
”Our policies, and our activities as Civil Society Groups must commit to continuous engagement with partners, all stakeholders, the donors, the government, regional level, local level, and the national level to ensure that all investments are effective and can deliver what we prepared for”.