By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), has officially launched a Regional Community Health Policy aimed at strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage across the region.
The policy which was unveiled on March 24, 2026, at the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou, Benin, during a ceremony was attended by government representatives, development partners and delegations from ECOWAS Member States.
The initiative seeks to reposition community health as a central pillar of healthcare delivery by bringing services closer to the people and reinforcing preventive healthcare strategies. It marks a significant shift from facility-based healthcare systems to more people-centred and community-driven approaches.
Launching the policy on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Director-General of WAHO, Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël Codjovi Aïssi, described it as a turning point in addressing longstanding weaknesses in health systems across West Africa. He emphasised that the policy represents a paradigm shift towards multisectoral collaboration and called for its swift and effective implementation.
Representing Benin’s Minister of Health, Chief of Staff, Dr. Sibylle Assavoedo highlighted that health begins within communities, describing community health as a critical tool for building resilient and equitable systems. She noted Benin’s progress through citizen participation initiatives at the household level, positioning the country as a model for innovative community health strategies.
However, she also pointed to persistent challenges, including climate change, zoonotic diseases, limited political commitment, workforce gaps, weak health information systems and the need for sustainable financing.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin, Ambassador Amadou Diongue, stressed that countries in the region face similar health challenges that require coordinated responses and strong political will. He added that community health is essential for human capital development and equitable access to healthcare, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of community-based approaches.
Speaking on behalf of technical and financial partners, UNICEF Representative Ousmane Niang underscored the importance of continued investment in extending healthcare services to remote populations. He described community health as one of the most cost-effective strategies for reaching underserved communities and commended the role of community health workers.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the policy by Dr. Arístide Talon, Special Adviser to the President of Benin on Health. Member States were also presented with copies of the policy, alongside key supporting documents including Consensus Standards and Principles and a Regional Guidance Framework to support implementation.
Sierra Leone, which currently chairs ECOWAS, WAHO Liaison Officer Magdalene Harding described the launch as historic. She noted that it marks not just the introduction of a policy, but the beginning of a movement that places communities at the centre of healthcare delivery. She urged Member States to integrate the policy into national systems and translate it into tangible action.
The Regional Community Health Policy is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening health systems across West Africa, improving access to care, and enhancing resilience against future health challenges.
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Source:
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