A New Impetus for Health Policy and Systems Research in West and Central Africa particularly Francophone Countries Pierre Ongolo Zogo, a Health Policy and Systems Analyst and Advocate for Evidence Informed Health Policy in Africa is candidate to the HSG Board Yaoundé Cameroon 28 July 2016 1
Can West and Central Africa Achieve Universal Health Coverage? 2
On the following slides, I introduce my proposals to address the following questions related to our future, the future of the HSG 1. How can HSG be an attractive home and effective voice for a diverse membership of policy makers, researchers, NGOs, media and funders? 2. Should HSG be actively advocating on behalf of its members and the wider health systems community? 3. How can HSG grow its membership in geographic regions and stakeholder communities (policy makers, researchers, NGOs, media and funders) where its membership base is currently smaller? 4. Do you have any other suggestions or comments about strategic priorities, opportunities or activities that HSG should pursue? 3
As a health policy and systems analyst who has been advocating for evidence informed health policy in sub Saharan Africa for the last decade, Considering the Agenda for sustainable global development, Mindful of the critical attributes of Universal health coverage namely Equity, Resilience and Sustainability Considering the Transformation agenda set by health Ministers for the African Regional Office of WHO and the subsequent research for health agenda for Africa... 4
Assessments of the following features of governance in African Health Systems are showing unsatisfactorily improvements Strategic Vision Rule of Law Responsiveness Effectiveness & Efficiency Intelligence & Information Participation & Consensus Orientation Transparency Equity & Inclusiveness Accountability Ethics S. Siddiqi et al. Health Policy 90 (2009) 13 25 Considering the scarcity of skilled human resources to generate the evidence needed to inform appropriately the planning for Universal Health Coverage Report - WISH Universal Health Coverage Forum 2015 5
Mindful of the critical factors to achieve UHC 1. Stakeholder support Top level and leadership + Public support 2. Governance Strong institutions + Progress monitoring 3. Availability of resources Healthcare workers + Medicines, health technologies and products Report - WISH Universal Health Coverage Forum 2015 Mindful of the complexity of health financing functions related to UHC I. Mathauer, G. Carrin Health Policy 99 (2011) 183 192 6
Considering that Health Financing in most west and central African countries is inappropriate to achieve UHC Particularly, health financing policies are marked by confusion between policy tools and policy objectives Few are driven by the normative objective of enhancing the insurance function of health care systems Access to needed care without financial impoverishment Considering that the unique and viable policy option for UHC is publicly governed, mandatory financing mechanisms that compel wealthier and healthier members of society to subsidize the poor and the vulnerable based on general taxation + social health insurance contributions 7
I am committed to contribute the furthering of the following Strategic Priority Actions if I am elected as a member of the HSG Board Aligning the agendas UHC...SDG...Transformation in sub Saharan countries Mobilizing resources for evidence synthesis and health systems guidance Expanding HSG activities to West and Central Africa francophone countries Embedding HPSR approaches across Ministries of Health in sub Saharan countries Fostering knowledge/evidence to policy and practice at national and sub national levels Fostering synergies across local and regional initiatives to promote HPSR and EIHP 8
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