The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), will officially launch the ECOWAS Regional Community Health Policy (RCHP) on 24 March 2026 at the Sofitel Hotel in Cotonou, Benin.
This high-level event will bring together political and health authorities, representatives of ECOWAS Member States, technical and financial partners, as well as stakeholders from civil society, academia and the private sector.
It marks a significant milestone in strengthening community health systems across the region.
The Regional Community Health Policy provides a strategic framework aimed at bringing health services closer to communities, with a strong emphasis on prevention, health promotion, community-based surveillance and active community engagement.
This initiative is fully in line with the strategic guidelines adopted by the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS held in Praia, Cabo Verde, which called for strengthened investment and action in community health across the region.
Through this initiative, ECOWAS, under the leadership of WAHO, seeks to drive a renewed regional momentum for community health, with a view to accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage across the ECOWAS region.
The official launch will be preceded, on 23 March 2026, by a technical workshop bringing together Member State delegates, regional experts, technical and financial partners, as well as key multisectoral stakeholders.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to present the policy in detail, support country ownership, and examine practical modalities for its implementation.
It will also lead to the validation of a regional roadmap for operationalisation, ensuring a coordinated and effective roll-out across ECOWAS Member States.
This launch marks the beginning of a new phase of regional commitment towards more resilient, inclusive and community-centred health systems, and will contribute to accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage across the ECOWAS region.
