Health System researchers from Western Africa have set up their own network: WANEL. We asked Felix Obi to present us this regional initiative - its objectives and its governance structure. We hope that many researchers from the region will join.
At the 18th Summit of the African Union in February 2012, member states adopted the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA); one of the key projects was the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Project which aimed to connect 5 country capitals: Abidjan, Accra, Lome, Cotonou and Lagos. Although the project was aimed at enhancing regional integration within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, as well as increasing access to HIV prevention, basic treatment, care and support to underserved and vulnerable population, little effort has been made to strengthen and integrate the health systems of the countries within the region. The weak links in the health system of West Africa got exposed during the Ebola outbreak, and inhabitants of the region watched helplessly as Ebola ravaged their communities and sent beloved ones to mass graves.
Against the backdrop of poor performance of the ECOWAS region’s health systems and the poor cooperation between member states in the control and containment of cross-border epidemics, the West African Health Organization (WAHO) developed a 2016-2020 strategic plan which seeks to find solutions to health priority areas. Goal 1 seeks the promotion of priority health policies and programs of which ‘health information and research for health’ is the first among WAHO’s 10 priority goals. For proper use of health information and research in planning and decision making, it has to be made available and accessible to policy makers and end users in reader-friendly formats and platforms.
However, the research output of ECOWAS region in the areas of health policy and systems research (HPSR) is relatively low. Overall, there’s limited multi- and interdisciplinary research with persistent dominance of biomedical research approaches. In addition to poor funding, policy engagement and knowledge brokering within the region. To increase capacities for conducting and utilizing locally-driven and locally-generated HPSR in the region, it is imperative that a platform be created to harness the potentials of the region and building a critical mass of skilled HPSR generators and practitioners.
Following series of consultation with key stakeholders, the West African Network of Emerging Leaders (WANEL) in Health Policy and Systems was set-up to be a key regional network of junior and mid-level academics, researchers, managers, policy-makers, media and civil society practitioners active in health policy and systems work in the West African sub-region. WANEL seeks to support the increasing numbers entering the field of health policy and systems (HPS) in practice and research based in West Africa, by creating a space for peer-to-peer exchange and learning, supporting access to research training and leadership opportunities, and linking to related global networks such as the Emerging Voices for Global Health (EVGH) and the Consortium for Health Policy, Systems and Analysis in Africa (CHEPSAA) Emerging Leaders Programme.
WANEL held its first annual meeting in Accra in 2016, and is currently hosted by Ghana Health Service as a component of the Consortium for Mothers, Children and Adolescents, and Health Policy and Systems Strengthening (CoMCAHPSS) project funded through a grant from the International Development Research Centre. Members of WANEL are already thinking beyond the grant to think of setting up sustainable governance mechanisms to realize the objectives of the network, and this was discussed extensively during the 2nd annual meeting in Niamey (6-10 February 2017). Through further consultation and engagement, members reached a consensus on the key values and principles for building the superstructure of WANEL as a ‘multi-lingual, cross-country network based on peer-to-peer learning and exchange’. In conceptualizing a governance structure for WANEL, the evolving governance structure of EVGH provided useful reference and lessons that shaped the discussions.
The proposed governance structure for WANEL is one that makes a trade-off between having a ‘zero’ bureaucracy and an adaptive and flexible structure that meets the changing needs of the network as it evolves. Thus, a two-tier system of ‘activity-oriented’ governance (regional and country-level) has been agreed upon. The Regional Governing Committee (RGC) will have representation from country blocs (e.g., French, English and Portuguese), with broad, but not mandated priority for having professional affiliations (e.g., researcher, health communications media, civil society, sub-national and national government). The RGC will comprise about five to nine members to serve for two years, with at least one seat reserved for a Portuguese speaker, although preference may be given to multi-lingual candidates. In the main, each member will take the lead in one of the identified activity areas:
• Fundraising (proposal development)
• Resource management
• Policy engagement
• Promoting scientific rigour
• Mentorship programme
• Membership management
• Action and communication channels (marketing and branding)
Country-level activities will be decentralized and managed by country coordinators who are to be nominated by WANEL in-country members, and each country coordinator will report to the RGC on a quarterly basis, and will ensure that such country-level activities align with WANEL’s guiding vision and ethos. Based on the pivotal role played so far in the establishment of WANEL, members unanimously agreed that WANEL Secretariat will be hosted by Ghana Health Service under the CoMCAHPSS project.
Like every new network, members have identified potential challenges that may hamper the smooth running of WANEL, such as lack of transparency and openness, misunderstandings between the network’s values and capacities, challenges with coordinating cross-border activities, and more importantly sustainable funding of the networks activities, especially post the CoMCAHPSS grant. Notwithstanding these challenges, there is palpable optimism among the pioneer members of the network, and efforts are underway to develop strategic plan that will define strategies for institutionalization and sustainability of WANEL which will take into consideration the legal, institutional, and fiduciary mechanisms that will make the network weather the storms ahead.
Already WANEL members have set-up active a fairly active Community of Practice through a google group managed by Jean-Paul Dossou and also social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter, while Aku Kwamie holds forth as the head of the Secretariat. WANEL members received abstract review support that saw to a reasonable number making oral and poster presentations at the HSR Global Symposium in Vancouver in 2016, and we are looking forward to being active participants in regional and international conferences and for a to make our voices heard. To underscore the optimism behind WANEL, members who attended the annual meeting in Niamey have started reaching out to potential members that will form the Nigeria hub for WANEL.
Dr. Ejemai Eborieme, a doctoral researcher at Wits University School of Public Health in Johannesburg and one of the newest members of WANEL, recently shared his thoughts in an interview with Felix Obi.
| What can you say about the idea of forming WANEL? Given the similarities in challenges across the sub-region with respect to health systems and the deficit in evidence-based policy making, WANEL was envisioned to bring together existing emerging HSPR specialists to cross fertilize ideas and strategies to influence evidence-based policy making as well as inspire and mentor upcoming specialists. What stirred your interest in WANEL and do you think WANEL has potential to thrive in the years ahead? My interest was inspired by the above (vision behind WANEL) and, paticularly by the opportunities which abound by having such sub-regional network of people with similar ideas. We could learn from each other and advance the field together. We could also influence prioritizing West African interests in global agenda. WANEL has the potential to thrive in the years ahead given the vibrancy of its youthful composition. Furthermore, there has been no small interests from other individuals and groups to key into WANEL. The association of WANEL with WAHO also provides an opportunity to sustain the vision through strategic partnerships with WAHO to realize the regions health research agenda. |  |
What role can WANEL members play in shaping health policies in the ECOWAS region?
Many members are internal actors within their various governments. Others are key influencers in CSOs, media organizations, development initiatives etc. and as such, are positioned to influence agenda setting in the health policy arena
What are the likely challenges WANEL might face as a new network?
Sustainable funding is a challenge to any such initiative. However, efforts are being made to see how this can be addressed. The language variety may be perceived as a challenge but WANEL views this as an opportunity to foster integration within the region.
Many members are internal actors within their various governments. Others are key influencers in CSOs, media organizations, development initiatives etc. and as such, are positioned to influence agenda setting in the health policy arena
What are the likely challenges WANEL might face as a new network?
Sustainable funding is a challenge to any such initiative. However, efforts are being made to see how this can be addressed. The language variety may be perceived as a challenge but WANEL views this as an opportunity to foster integration within the region.
