ooas-waho

Specialised Institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

02/02/2026

Dear all

The official launch of the Lassa Fever End-to-End (E2E) Access Roadmap for West Africa will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, 3 February 2026.

Developed with the support of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and under the leadership of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), this roadmap represents a strategic milestone in strengthening equitable access to Lassa fever prevention, diagnostic and response tools across the region.

1 day remaining until the official launch

01/02/2026

Hello all,

This is a reminder that the Lassa Fever End-to-End (E2E) Access Roadmap for West Africa will be officially launched on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026.

Developed with the support of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and under the leadership of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the roadmap reflects a collective commitment to strengthening equitable access to Lassa fever prevention, diagnosis and response tools across the region.

2 days remaining until the official launch.

26/01/2026

A Organização Oeste-Africana da Saúde* (OOAS/WAHO) realizou um ateliê regional de validação do Plano Estratégico Regional de Saúde Digital 2026–2030, de 19 a 23 de janeiro de 2026, em Dakar, Senegal.

Este evento insere-se num processo rigoroso iniciado com um ateliê técnico em Lomé, em dezembro de 2024, e prosseguido com a revisão do documento na Praia, em maio de 2025.

A sessão reuniu diretores responsáveis pela Saúde Digital e pelos Sistemas de Informação dos Estados-Membros da CEDEAO, representantes dos Ministérios da Saúde, bem como peritos regionais e pessoas-recurso. Os trabalhos incidiram na validação técnica e institucional, na consolidação e na apropriação coletiva do projeto de estratégia.

Os participantes procederam a uma análise crítica aprofundada da primeira versão da estratégia, examinando domínios prioritários como a governação, a interoperabilidade, as infraestruturas, a cibersegurança e a inteligência artificial. As discussões em grupos e em sessões plenárias permitiram a elaboração de um documento estratégico consolidado, acompanhado de um plano operacional e de um orçamento, definindo de forma clara os papéis e responsabilidades para a sua implementação.

Implementada pela OOAS em colaboração com os Estados-Membros e parceiros técnicos e financeiros, esta iniciativa visa a construção de um ecossistema regional de saúde digital seguro e interoperável, alinhado com a Visão 2050 da CEDEAO, com o objetivo de reforçar a resiliência dos sistemas de saúde e melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados prestados às populações da região.

26/01/2026

ECOWAS APPROVES REGIONAL GUIDELINES TO STRENGTHEN THE INTEGRATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE INTO THE HEALTH SYSTEMS OF MEMBER STATES

On 23 January 2026, in Cotonou, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) concluded the meeting to validate the "Regional Guidelines for the Regulation and Promotion of Traditional Medicine in ECOWAS Member States", held from 21 to 23 January 2026.

The meeting brought together representatives from ministries of health, universities and research institutes, traditional medicine practitioners, experts and technical partners to review and technically validate a harmonised regional framework aimed at regulating the practice and regulation of traditional medicine in West Africa.

Participants emphasised the central role of traditional medicine in healthcare provision, particularly because of its accessibility, cultural roots and the trust it enjoys within communities. They stressed the need for a framework based on safety, quality, regulation and evidence to strengthen its contribution to Universal Health Coverage, in line with the WHO Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2025–2034, the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the ECOWAS Regional Health Policy.

In his closing address, WAHO Director General Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. AÏSSI called for the recognition of an evolving African medicine that values indigenous knowledge, innovation and complementarity with conventional medicine. He reaffirmed the mandate entrusted to WAHO by ECOWAS to harmonise practices, strengthen regulatory frameworks and promote effective integration for the benefit of the populations.

Speaking on behalf of the Chair of ECOWAS, the representative of Sierra Leone, Dr Brima Osaio KAMARA, commended the collective efforts of Member States and reaffirmed his country's commitment to the adoption and structured integration of Traditional Medicine into the national health system, in accordance with international best practices.

At the end of the meeting, a regional roadmap was adopted, focusing in particular on the finalisation of the policy document, the drafting of a Community Directive, its submission to the Assembly of Health Ministers (AHM) of ECOWAS for adoption, and its harmonised appropriation and implementation in Member States, supported by a monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

06/01/2026

🇬🇧
Happy New Year to us all!
May this new year bring us success in our projects, good health and peace of mind. May 2026 be a year of victories, laughter and blessings.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🎊🎉🥳

🇫🇷
Bonne et Heureuse Année à nous !
Que cette nouvelle année nous apporte la réussite dans nos projets, la santé, la paix du cœur. Que 2026 soit une année de victoires, de rires et de bénédictions.
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🎊🎉🥳

WAHO Communications

29/12/2025

The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) held the second joint drug evaluation session for 2025, as part of the West African Drug Regulatory Harmonisation Initiative (WADRI), from 15 to 19 December 2025 in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. as part of the West African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation Initiative (WA-MRH).

This session brought together expert members of the Technical Working Groups (TWG) responsible for the registration of pharmaceutical products and medical devices, as well as national evaluators and representatives of the regulatory authorities of ECOWAS Member States. The work focused on the joint evaluation of applications submitted by manufacturers in accordance with the ECOWAS Common Technical Document (CTD).

Participants conducted an in-depth review of the preliminary technical reports prepared by the experts, analysed the responses provided by manufacturers and finalised the evaluation reports. This work resulted in the development of technical recommendations to be submitted to the next meeting of the WA-MRH Steering Committee for decision.

Implemented by WAHO with support from technical and financial partners such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), AUDA-NEPAD, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the WA-MRH initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the harmonisation of regulatory systems and improve access to safe, effective and quality medical products in the ECOWAS region.

25/12/2025

Nesta época festiva, a Organização Oeste Africana da Saúde (OOAS) deseja paz, alegria e solidariedade a todas as comunidades e parceiros do espaço CEDEAO.

Que o espírito do Natal reforce o nosso compromisso coletivo para uma África Ocidental mais saudável.

25/12/2025

En cette période de Noël, l’Organisation Ouest Africaine de la Santé (OOAS) adresse ses vœux les plus sincères de paix, de joie et de solidarité à l’ensemble des populations et partenaires de l’espace CEDEAO.

Que ces fêtes renforcent notre engagement commun pour une Afrique de l’Ouest en meilleure santé.

25/12/2025

During this Christmas season, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) extends its sincere wishes of peace, joy, and solidarity to all communities and partners across the ECOWAS region.

May these festive celebrations strengthen our shared commitment to building a healthier West Africa.

02/12/2025

ECOWAS Takes Major Step to Strengthen Specialist Training in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Region

A major regional initiative to strengthen specialist pharmaceutical training across West Africa is underway in Lomé, where experts from ECOWAS Member States are meeting from 1 to 5 December 2025 to align, validate, and finalise Training Curricula in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The five-day workshop, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), brings together academics, regulators, professional bodies, and training institutions to ensure that pharmaceutical specialist training meets international standards, supports professional mobility, and enhances the quality of health services across the region.

The opening ceremony featured remarks and goodwill messages from representatives of the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, the West African Professional Colleges, the Deans of Health Sciences Faculties, the Regional Council for Health Professionals Training, the Director General of WAHO, and the Ministry of Health of Togo.

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