financing policies and plans
Cognizant of the challenges mentioned above, the 46 Ministers of Health from the African Region adopted and signed the Ouagadougou Declaration that proposes ways of addressing health system challenges. The Ouagadougou Declaration urges Member States to update their national health policies and plans according to the primary health care (PHC) approach; promote inter-sectorial collaboration and public-private partnership to address broad determinants of health; improve health workforce production and retention; set up mechanisms for increasing availability and accessibility of essential medicines, health technologies and infrastructure; strengthen health information systems; develop and implement strategic health financing policies and plans; promote health awareness and build behavioral change capacities among communities.
Summary
Efficient health interventions are available to help with the health care problems in Africa. Unfortunately, health systems are too weak to adequately and equitably deliver those interventions to people who need them. As nurses, we need to reach out to the health care teams and organizations in Africa to speak up for the population. Join International health organizations and write letters to the policymakers in countries in Africa. Let our voice be heard through international media to help curtail this problem. We need to make it a global problem and advocate for this population so they can have good health care and access to medical care by involving policymakers and legislators in their respective countries.
References
Cohen, G. (2016). Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Meeting Healthcare Challenges in Africa: A Perspective From the Private Sector. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases, 213 Suppl 2, S33. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1093/infdis/jiv578
Ebola: 2014 Outbreak in West Africa. (2014). Congressional Research Service: Report, Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=98496602&site=eds-live&scope=site
Hader, S. L. (2016). Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Meeting Healthcare Challenges in Africa: A Perspective From the Public Sector. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases, 213 Suppl 2, S34. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1093/infdis/jiv575
Knickman, J. R., & Knover, A. R. (2015). Health Care Delivery in the United States (11th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company
Olu, O., Petu, A., Ovberedjo, M., & Muhongerwa, D. (2017). South-South cooperation in Africa: experiences, challenges and a call for concerted action. Pan African Medical Journal , 28 , 1-7. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.28.40.12201
The Ouagadougou Declaration. (2002). Africa News Service. Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgov&AN=edsgcl.89001532&site=eds-live&scope=site
World Health Organization: Strengthening health systems to improve health outcomes: World Health Organization’s framework for action Geneva. Retrieved from http://www.wpro.who.int/health_services/strategic_plan_strengthening_health_system
