From September 3rd to 7th, 2024, a decentralized meeting of members of the Joint Commission on Health/Education, Science and Culture/Telecommunications and Information Technology/Industry and Private Sector of the ECOWAS Parliament is taking place in Conakry, Guinea. The theme of the meeting, “Promoting Health Services and Education in West Africa: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” aims to equip parliamentarians with a better understanding of the challenges and issues in developing the health sector in the sub-region.
This is a development issue that the members of the Joint Commission on Health/Education, Science and Culture/Telecommunications and Information Technology/Industry and Private Sector of the ECOWAS Parliament will be addressing from September 3rd to 7th, 2024 in Conakry, Guinea. The 6th legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, presided over by a woman, Honorable Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, is experiencing a new dynamic marked by increased commitment from parliamentarians that can help build a healthier and more resilient West Africa.
Convinced of the crucial role they play in promoting effective health services and improving health education across the region, the President of the ECOWAS Parliament did not mince her words in outlining the countless challenges facing the sub-region and the objectives of this meeting. “This meeting will therefore, through its contributions, observations, and recommendations, raise awareness among Members of Parliament about health services and education in order to equip them to contribute significantly to the promotion of health policies in Member States, which continuously face challenges of limited resources, insufficient health infrastructure, health disparities, epidemic management, inter-country coordination, and training of health professionals. These challenges require continuous attention and concerted efforts from governments, non-governmental organizations, and international partners,” said the President.
Madame Mémounatou thus makes the suffering of the populations her own by calling for a holistic management of health issues. Management that takes into account the formulation of public policies, education, training, awareness-raising, participatory approach, behavioral changes, to name but a few aspects. “The Joint Commission will endeavor to reflect and formulate relevant recommendations aimed at strengthening local health systems, improving access to care and promoting community health.”
For the President, “health education is a fundamental preventive tool aimed at reducing premature mortality related to diseases and accidents, often associated with behaviors and lifestyles. In this context, the integration of specific health education curricula within education systems is essential. By aligning with national and regional public health priorities, these programs will make it possible to adopt a comprehensive approach that targets risk behaviors from a young age. By emphasizing innovative pedagogical approaches, curricula will contribute to promoting the well-being of individuals and communities, integrating health into local development, and encouraging the active participation of citizens in decisions affecting their health.”
The theme of the meeting, “Promoting Health Services and Education in West Africa: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” is well received by the Guinean authorities, who are strongly mobilized, including the Guinean Prime Minister of the Transition, the Guinean Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, and the Director General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO).
The meeting is timely as the first case of monkeypox is discovered in the country. An announcement was made on this occasion as well as the measures taken to prevent its spread.
The proceedings were officially opened by Dr Dansa Kourouma, President of the National Transitional Council. After welcoming Guinea back to ECOWAS and the honor bestowed on his country by hosting this meeting, he highlighted the efforts made by his country that take into account the concerns of parliamentarians, including the prescription of the priority nature of national education, the guarantee of free education, compulsory access and the retention of children in school until the age of 16, the guarantee to Guinean youth of free vocational, technical and higher education at all levels.