Health Systems Advocacy for Africa Alliance signs Partnership Agreement with Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

on Friday, 13 November 2015.

A partnership agreement aimed at strengthening the capacity of local organizations to advocate and influence the sexual and reproductive health and rights of marginalized groups, such as women and children was on November 12, 2015 signed between Health Systems Advocacy for Africa Alliance and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Members sign the Partnership AgreementMembers sign the Partnership Agreement

The Health Systems Advocacy for Africa Alliance, consisting of Amref Health Africa, the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST), Health Action International (HAI) and Wemos.

The partnership comes at a time when maternal morbidity and mortality continues to be the cause of unacceptable disability and death. Despite the fact that maternal mortality is high on the international agenda, the goal to reduce maternal mortality by 75%, is still far from being reached.

 

By advocating and influencing the availability of affordable medicines and family planning commodities and increasing the availability and accessibility of skilled health workers, The Health Systems Advocacy Alliance for Africa works on stronger health systems and the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality.

The partnership falls within the policy framework ‘Dialogue and Contradiction’ of Dutch Minister Lilianne Ploumen, whereby 25 partnerships (alliances of) social organizations work together with the Ministry to strengthen social organizations in low- and low-middle income countries in the areas of advocacy and influence. The focus on advocating and influencing is essential to address to governments and businesses, because of their responsibility to contribute to growth and development and reducing inequality.

The Strategic Partnership between the Ministry and the Health Systems Advocacy Alliance for Africa will initially be implemented in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia and will extend to other countries later. The collaboration between the organizations provides the opportunity for joint sharing of instruments and methods of advocacy and influence, which will improve their effectiveness.

ACHEST will contribute the strengthening of capacity for health workforce, leadership and governance in countries and work with WEMOS for regional and global advocacy.