Lomé Hosts a Landmark Conference on Community Health Standards, Charting Path Towards Universal Health Coverage.
By Raymond Enoch
The Consensus Conference on the Standards and Principles of Community Health officially opened in Lome , Republic of Togo bringing together experts, government officials, civil society organizations, and key international stakeholders from across West Africa.
The conference organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO),is a significant step towards shaping a unified approach to community health, emphasizing the importance of equitable, accessible, and sustainable health systems in the region.
Held at the heart of Lomé, the conference is set to run until April 4 and aims to provide a platform for discussions that will solidify standards for community health systems and contribute to the region’s broader health strategy. Key figures in the opening ceremony included Dr. Kokou Wotobe, Secretary General of Togo’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene; Mrs. Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission; and Dr. Codjovi Aïssi, Director General of WAHO. Their remarks underscored the critical need for collaboration and inclusive governance to overcome the persistent health challenges faced by the region.
In his opening speech, Mr. Diakaridia Traore, representing the Financial Partners Forum (FPFs), commended WAHO’s leadership and reaffirmed the commitment of financial partners to long-term investment in community health. He emphasized that fostering resilience in health systems is not just about providing services, but also ensuring that these services are deeply rooted in community involvement and tailored to local contexts. Traore’s sentiments were echoed by Mrs. Tchintchibidja, who highlighted the importance of a multi-sectoral approach and underscored the regional significance of community health in enhancing overall well-being.
A key theme of the conference was the need for a strategic framework that builds on the legacy of the 1978 Alma-Ata Declaration, which laid the foundation for primary healthcare worldwide. Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël Codjovi Aïssi of WAHO emphasized that the conference provides a timely opportunity to reevaluate community health systems in light of recent global health crises and persistent disparities in access to care. “Community health is central to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” said Aïssi, pointing out that strengthening community health approaches is crucial in overcoming the challenges of health inequalities.
Dr. Kokou Wotobe, speaking on behalf of the Togolese government, expressed Togo’s deep commitment to strengthening its community health framework. He pointed to the country’s 2020-2025 roadmap aimed at achieving UHC and reiterated the importance of harmonizing community health policies across the region to ensure that no one is left behind.
Participants at the conference will engage in collaborative discussions over the next few days, working towards a final consensus and a roadmap for action that will serve as a collective framework for health reforms. With its emphasis on inclusive governance and cross-sector collaboration, the conference sets the stage for accelerating progress towards UHC in West Africa.
As the event unfolds, the central focus remains on ensuring that every individual, particularly those in underserved rural areas, has access to the essential healthcare services they need. The conference aims to reinforce the role of community health workers and integrate their efforts into broader health strategies that can bring about lasting, positive change for the region’s public health.
The conference would be reaffirming the shared goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage and strengthening community health systems across West Africa, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of location or circumstance, can access high-quality health services that are both equitable and sustainable.
