By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The Director-General of the West African Health Organization, Dr. Melachior Athanase J. C. Asissi, has called for stronger transparency, improved coordination, and enhanced workforce investment to boost the performance of health systems across West Africa. Delivering a statement at a high-level regional engagement, Dr. Asissi emphasized that beyond existing efforts, more structured and inclusive approaches are required to ensure that all forms of health sector support—particularly those directly implemented by development partners—are properly communicated and aligned with national priorities.
“Going forward, even support provided directly by our partners must be fully disclosed to the relevant authorities, including boards of directors,” he stated. “Effective coordination is essential if we are to maximize impact and avoid fragmentation in our health systems.” He underscored that improving health system performance across member states depends significantly on investing in the health workforce and implementing evidence-based interventions. According to him, policies and measures derived from research and technical committees must be actively translated into practice to enhance service delivery and overall quality of care.
Dr. Asissi further highlighted the importance of leveraging the expertise of various regional and international committees, including those linked to European institutions, to drive reforms and strengthen institutional capacity. Reflecting on past funding mobilization efforts, he disclosed that in 2014, approximately $9.3 million was requested for a specific country programme—an amount representing nearly one-third of the total demand at the time. However, he noted challenges in the application and disbursement processes, stressing the need for clearer financial tracking and accountability mechanisms.
“We must ensure transparency in how funds are mobilized, allocated, and utilized,” he said, adding that directors and technical teams must continue to provide oversight and detailed reporting on program implementation. The WAHO chief also called for greater regional solidarity in addressing health challenges, noting that improved access to healthcare, strengthened health security, and increased capacity for emergency preparedness remain top priorities for the sub-region. He emphasized that building resilient health systems will require sustained investment in local production of medical supplies, improved response mechanisms to health emergencies, and stronger collaboration among member states of the Economic Community of West African States.
Touching on partnerships, the Director-General acknowledged the contributions of key international partners, including the World Bank, the European Union, and German development institutions, while cautioning that global economic pressures may pose challenges to future funding flows. Despite these uncertainties, he reaffirmed WAHO’s commitment to strengthening regional health systems through coordinated action, transparency, and strategic investment. “Our collective goal remains clear—to improve health outcomes, expand access to essential services, and ensure the health security of our region,” he concluded.
