Guinea-Bissau has become the first ECOWAS member state to begin implementing the new Regional Community Health Policy, with Gabú and Oio selected as pilot regions.
The decision was reached during a three-day national engagement workshop in Bissau, organised by the West African Health Organisation, WAHO, and Guinea-Bissau’s Ministry of Public Health.
WAHO Director-General, Dr. Melchior Aïssi, described the initiative as the beginning of concrete action to strengthen healthcare delivery at the community level, stressing the importance of national ownership.
Guinea-Bissau’s Health Minister, Commodore Dr. Quinhin Nantote, says investment in community health remains a national priority, particularly for vulnerable populations in remote areas.
He also highlighted the role of Community Health Workers in connecting communities with the formal healthcare system.
Related Posts:
The initiative comes as West Africa continues to face recurring disease outbreaks, limited healthcare access in rural communities and pressure on existing health systems.
Officials say lessons from the pilot programme in Gabú and Oio will help shape the wider implementation of the Community Health Policy across the ECOWAS region.
