Raphael Oni
In a bid to promote health policies and improve healthcare services in West Africa, the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committee on Health/Education, Science and Culture/Telecommunications and Information Technology/Industry and Private Sector met in Conakry, Guinea, for a delocalized meeting.
The meeting, which was attended by Honorable Members of Parliament from ECOWAS member states, was aimed at raising awareness among MPs on health services and education, enabling them to contribute significantly to promoting health policies in their respective countries.
In his introductory remarks, Co-chair of the Joint Committee, Hon. Orlando Dias Pereira, emphasized the importance of integration and cooperation in achieving regional goals, citing the current situation in the region. He highlighted the ECOWAS Parliament’s efforts to get closer to the people through delocalized meetings and field visits.
“The overall objective of this meeting is to raise awareness among MPs on health care services and education with a view to enabling them to contribute significantly to the promotion of health policies in ECOWAS member states,” Pereira stated.
The meeting featured presentations from experienced resource persons, who shared insights on the various interventions of the ECOWAS Commission in the region, health policies applied in different interventions, and successful interventions and programs in member states.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit health and education facilities in Conakry, where they gained firsthand experience of the challenges and successes in the healthcare and education sectors.
At the end of the meeting, the Joint Committee will present its report at the forthcoming Ordinary Session of Parliament, with recommendations to be transmitted to stakeholders.
Pereira expressed confidence that the meeting’s recommendations would guide policymakers in promoting healthcare services and education in West Africa. He thanked the Guinean authorities for hosting the meeting and assured participants of a fruitful deliberation.
This meeting demonstrates the ECOWAS Parliament’s commitment to improving healthcare and education in the region and its determination to work together to achieve regional integration and development.
As the region continues to face numerous health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting’s outcome is expected to contribute significantly to the promotion of health policies and improvement of healthcare services in West Africa.