Africa Primary Healthcare Hub

Overview

The Africa Primary Healthcare Hub is a center that aims to transform Africa’s health emergency response and preparedness by strengthening the primary healthcare system. The hub was launched in 2023 by the Africa Economic Forum International Development, with the support of other partners. The hub provides technical assistance, training, and funding for primary healthcare initiatives in Africa. The hub also facilitates the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices among the African primary healthcare stakeholders. The hub covers four main thematic areas: universal health coverage, health security, health information systems, and health workforce development. The hub has partnered with several African countries and regions, such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and the West African Health Organization.

Vision & Mission

Vision

To be a leading center of excellence in primary healthcare for Africa, enabling better health and well-being for all.

Mission

To support and strengthen the primary healthcare system in Africa, by providing technical assistance, training, and funding for primary healthcare initiatives, facilitating the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices among the primary healthcare stakeholders, and supporting the implementation of the International Health Regulations and the One Health approach.

Aims & Objectives

The aims of the Africa Primary Healthcare Hub are to:

Support and strengthen the primary healthcare system in Africa, as the backbone and the first level of contact of the health system.
Enhance the health and well-being of African people, by providing comprehensive, integrated, and people-centered health services.
Reduce health inequalities and achieve universal health coverage, by ensuring the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of primary healthcare services for all.

The objectives of the Africa Primary Healthcare Hub are to:

Provide technical assistance, training, and funding for primary healthcare initiatives in Africa, covering the four main thematic areas of universal health coverage, health security, health information systems, and health workforce development.
Facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices among the African primary healthcare stakeholders, such as national and regional authorities, institutions, organizations, and communities.
Support the implementation of the International Health Regulations and the One Health approach, which promote the coordination and collaboration among different sectors and stakeholders in addressing health risks at the human-animal-environment interface.
Support the use of digital technologies and innovations, such as mobile health, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of primary healthcare data and information management and utilization.
Advocate for increased and sustainable financing for primary healthcare, as well as social protection and health insurance schemes.

Governance:

The Africa Primary Healthcare Hub is governed by a steering committee, which is responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing the performance, and ensuring the accountability of the hub. The steering committee consists of representatives from the AEF, AEFID, and other development partners. The steering committee meets at least twice a year and operates according to the terms of reference and the code of conduct established by AEFID.

The steering committee delegates the day-to-day management and operation of the hub to the hub director, who is appointed by the steering committee and reports to the steering committee. The hub director leads and manages a team of staff, consultants, and volunteers who work on the various activities and projects of the hub. The hub director also liaises and coordinates with the primary healthcare stakeholders, such as national and regional authorities, institutions, organizations, and communities, who are involved in or benefit from the hub’s work.

The hub has a technical advisory group, which provides independent and expert advice and guidance to the steering committee and the hub director on the technical and strategic aspects of the hub’s work. The technical advisory group consists of eminent and experienced individuals from various fields and sectors related to primary healthcare. The technical advisory group meets at least once a year and operates according to the terms of reference and the code of conduct established by AEFID.

The hub adheres to the principles and standards of good governance, such as accountability, transparency, integrity, stewardship, efficiency, and leadership. The hub follows the policies and procedures of AEFID, as well as the relevant laws and regulations of the countries and regions where it operates. The hub also conducts regular audits and evaluations of its activities and projects, and reports on its achievements and challenges to the steering committee, the partners, and the public.

What We Do

The Africa Primary Healthcare Hub does the following:

Support universal health coverage:

The hub supports universal health coverage, which means that everyone can access the health services they need, without facing financial hardship. The hub works with national and regional authorities, institutions, and organizations to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of primary healthcare services for all. The hub also advocates for increased and sustainable financing for primary healthcare, as well as social protection and health insurance schemes.

Enhance health security:

The hub enhances health security, which means that people are protected from the risks and impacts of health emergencies, such as outbreaks, disasters, and conflicts. The hub works with national and regional authorities, institutions, and organizations to strengthen the capacities and capabilities of primary healthcare systems to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. The hub also supports the implementation of the International Health Regulations and the One Health approach, which promote the coordination and collaboration among different sectors and stakeholders in addressing health risks at the human-animal-environment interface.

Improve health information systems:

The hub improves health information systems, which means that reliable and timely data and information are collected, analyzed, and used for health decision-making and action. The hub works with national and regional authorities, institutions, and organizations to develop and implement policies and standards that ensure the quality, interoperability, and security of health data and information. The hub also supports the use of digital technologies and innovations, such as mobile health, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of health data and information management and utilization.

Develop health workforce:

The hub develops a health workforce, which means that sufficient and competent health workers are available and motivated to provide quality primary healthcare services. The hub works with national and regional authorities, institutions, and organizations to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure the planning, production, distribution, and retention of health workers, especially at the primary healthcare level. The hub also supports the training, supervision, and motivation of health workers, as well as the recognition and regulation of their roles and responsibilities.

Why We Do It

The Africa Primary Healthcare Hub does it because:

Primary healthcare is essential for health improvement:

Primary healthcare is the first level of contact and the backbone of the health system, as it provides comprehensive, integrated, and people-centered health services, from promotion and prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. Primary healthcare can help improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities, reduce health inequalities, and achieve universal health coverage.

Primary healthcare is challenging for Africa:

Primary healthcare is challenging for Africa, as it faces issues such as inadequate and inequitable access, poor quality and safety, low efficiency and effectiveness, and weak governance and accountability. These issues limit the performance and impact of primary healthcare for health improvement in Africa.

Primary healthcare is promising for Africa:

Primary healthcare is promising for Africa, as it offers opportunities such as increased and sustainable investment, innovation and transformation, integration and coordination, and participation and empowerment. These opportunities can enhance the potential and impact of primary healthcare for health improvement in Africa.

How We Do It

The Africa Primary Healthcare Hub does it by

Using a primary healthcare approach:

The hub uses a primary healthcare approach, which considers the primary healthcare system, rather than its individual components. The hub recognizes the interdependence and interrelation of the primary healthcare system elements, such as governance, financing, human resources, information, service delivery, and community engagement. The hub also acknowledges the complexity and diversity of the primary healthcare system contexts, such as political, economic, social, and cultural factors.

Applying a data-driven culture:

The hub applies a data-driven culture, which values and prioritizes the use of data and information for health improvement. The hub fosters a data-driven mindset, which embraces data as a strategic asset and a source of learning and innovation. The hub also promotes a data-driven practice, which integrates data into the health processes and outcomes.

Adopting a user-centric design:

The hub adopts a user-centric design, which focuses on the needs and expectations of the primary healthcare users and beneficiaries. The hub employs a user-centric process, which involves the users and beneficiaries throughout the primary healthcare cycle, from assessment and planning to implementation and evaluation. The hub also delivers a user-centric product, which provides the users and beneficiaries with relevant, timely, and actionable primary healthcare services and solutions.

Join the Movement

Embark on a journey with the Africa Primary Healthcare Hub and become a catalyst for change in Africa’s media landscape. Register today to unlock a world of opportunities, resources, and community support.

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