By Iyemah David
The African Health Budget Network (AHBN) has launched a new initiative aligned with the Community of Practitioners on Accountability and Social Action in Health (COPASAH) to boost health security in West and Central Africa.
Coordinator of AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba said this at the end of a three-day technical peer review retreat on strengthening accountability of health security finances in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal, on Saturday in Abuja.
COPASAH consists of advocates and social accountability practitioners who are committed to ensuring health rights and health equity.
This network aims to strengthen its members’ ability to demand accountability from their health systems and provides a platform for them to exchange resources, experiences, and lessons learned.
It also facilitates the joint production and dissemination of conceptual, methodological, and real-world best practices, while promoting networking and capacity exchange among member organizations to advance accountability for health.
COPASAH strives to elevate the needs also elevates the needs of the most at-risk individuals within the health systems and raises awareness of how all citizens can actively participate in improving health and rights in their communities.
Dr Magashi said that this strategic collaboration seeks to address regional health challenges by enhancing transparency, strengthening community-based monitoring, and promoting equitable access to healthcare.
He said that the West and Central African Health Security Accountability Hub, spearheaded by key stakeholders, would serve as a central platform to coordinate efforts across multiple nations, addressing critical health issues such as infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health, and the impact of climate change on public health.
“The hub aims to foster collaboration between governments, civil society organizations, the media, and international agencies, ensuring a holistic approach to health security.
“By aligning with COPASAH’s approach, which emphasises community empowerment and participation, the hub will encourage local communities to actively engage in monitoring healthcare services.
“This will include tracking resource allocation, reporting on healthcare delivery, and advocating for policy changes that prioritise the health needs of marginalized populations,” he said.
He explained the importance of social accountability in improving health outcomes:
“Health security is not just about preparedness for epidemics, but also about ensuring that everyday healthcare services are accessible and effective.
“Community engagement is key to holding health systems accountable and making sure resources are used efficiently,” he said.
He said that the initiative would prioritise building community resilience against health threats through education, capacity building, and advocacy.
“The goal is to empower local leaders to take ownership of health challenges, particularly in areas where government resources are limited or where infrastructure remains weak.
“A key feature of the program is training community health workers in surveillance, reporting, and response to public health emergencies,” he said.
He said that the hub would also work with governments to improve policy frameworks that support health security accountability, addressing gaps in current systems and ensuring that international health regulations were upheld.
“Innovative technologies such as mobile platforms for real-time reporting and data collection will be used to track disease outbreaks and healthcare delivery performance,” he added.
As West and Central Africa continue to face complex health challenges, he said that the establishment of this regional hub marks a significant step towards achieving health equity and strengthening accountability mechanisms.
“The collaboration with COPASAH not only brings a proven social accountability model to the region but also aligns with global efforts to ensure that health systems are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.
“By uniting the efforts of communities, governments, and international partners, the West and Central African Health Security Accountability Hub stands as a beacon of hope for a region striving to achieve sustainable health security for all,” he said.
