AFRICA HEALTHY COMMUNITIES MOVEMENTSUMMARY PRESENTATION

This is a non profitable and non lucrative movement which aims to achieve development through health. Its vision consists of producing healthy African communities capable of meeting social, economic and political challenges. Its sole mission is to mobilize African communities in community health partnerships targeting the millennium development goals. Indeed, three out of eight goals have been targeted by this movement to achieve development through health. They include child survival, safe motherhood and healthy workforce.


The Africa movement will collaborate with public and private sector institutions to ensure that additional resources reach local populations and promote community participation, empowerment and ownership. The movement will target corporate behaviour, priority programmes and community benefits. Moreover, this Africa movement will:
• Promote partnerships for resources mobilization
• Ensure stewardship for transparent management
• Produce leadership for community development
The activities of the movement include:
Meeting health and development challenges
Implementing health for development packages and
Accelerating progress towards millennium goals.


The principal network components include member communities (local community entities, dialogue structures, young health experts), support structures (community support groups, health development centres, partner/twin communities), governance and leadership (Honorary Patrons, Board of Trustees, Executive management team).


I- GOVERNANCE

-Honorary patrons, distinguished African personalities, guarantors of the image of the movement.

-The Board of Trustees decides the policies and operations of the movement and the movement. The board would comprise “Partners” (shareholders) and “members” committed to community health development.

-The Executive management Team includes a small number of individuals, employees who ensure the smooth running of current business as determined by member communities, community support groups and the Board.


II- SUPPORT STRUCTURES

-Community support Groups would include individuals of varying backgrounds within a given country or elsewhere (Diaspora) willing and able to assist member communities achieve better health. They would intervene in priority activities as well as capacity building.

- Health Leadership Development Centres (HLDCs) are fixed structures established within a province or region, able to provide technical expertise. Community support groups will help create and sustain HLDCs. Health experts with varying backgrounds will operate from these centres.

-Partners/Twin communities are community groups or communities in other countries (in Africa or other continents) which enter into a partnership with member communities.

III- MEMBER COMMUNITIES

Local community entities

-Local government areas, local councils would be members of the movement. Under the umbrella of the “commune” or local council - health clubs, associations, schools, enterprises, faith based organizations, media, sports clubs, social clubs, cultural groups, health centres, youth and women’s groups etc would be associate members.

-Dialogue structures are groups established by local authorities and health promoters. They would include health care investors, providers and beneficiaries. They will aim to ensure better health at minimum cost with community participation.

- Health experts Multidisciplinary teams of young graduates and established researchers would receive accelerated orientations and assigned to work with local leadership, local entities and dialogue structures.


The Movement Website, maintained by the executive team is the virtual market place. It would display information on: Resource needs of participating communities, their structures and institutions Goods and services proposed by investors, providers, manufacturers, health business enterprises. Resources, goods and services, provided by dialogue structures/support groups, to participating communities.


THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES of this movement are achieving autonomy and self reliance with the support of a network of Africans and friends local, national and international (Diaspora), sponsors, promoters or investors living in Africa or elsewhere, local councils, committed community groups and their advisers.