Guinea-Bissau has selected the Gabú and Oio regions as pilot areas for the implementation of the new ECOWAS Regional Community Health Policy, in a major step towards bringing healthcare services closer to vulnerable and underserved communities.
The decision was reached at a three-day National Engagement Workshop on the implementation of the policy, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health of Guinea-Bissau in Bissau from August 19 to 21, 2026.
The selection of the two regions signals the transition of the Regional Community Health Policy (RCHP) from the planning stage to concrete implementation, with national and local authorities, communities and other stakeholders expected to play defined roles in its execution.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, WAHO Director-General, Dr Melchior Athanase Joël C. Aïssi, described Guinea-Bissau as a pioneer among ECOWAS Member States for hosting the first information and engagement mission on implementation of the new policy.
He said the meeting should not be regarded merely as a forum for discussion but as the starting point for translating the regional policy into action.
Aïssi stressed that successful implementation would depend on national ownership, effective multisectoral coordination and a clear division of responsibilities among stakeholders.
He reaffirmed WAHO’s readiness to provide technical support, guidance and facilitation, but emphasised that Guinea-Bissau must take ownership and lead the implementation process.
The Minister of Public Health, Commodore Dr Quinhin Nantote, in his keynote address, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the policy, describing investment in community health as both a necessity and a national priority.
Nantote said expanding access to healthcare required deliberate efforts to reach vulnerable populations, particularly those living in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
He also highlighted the critical role of Community Health Workers (CHWs), describing them as an essential link between formal health services and communities.
The minister called for an approach anchored on equity, community participation and intersectoral collaboration, arguing that sustainable improvements in health could not be achieved by government and health professionals alone.
The workshop brought together representatives of government ministries and agencies, national institutions, civil society and community-based organisations, research and training institutions, as well as technical and financial partners.
Participants reviewed key regional and national community health instruments, including the Regional Community Health Policy, its norms and principles, regional guidance documents and practical tools for Community Health Workers.
They also identified priority interventions, assigned responsibilities to sectoral stakeholders and worked towards developing costed action plans for priority areas.
Discussions further focused on the proposed regional community information system platform, the national coordination mechanism and other steps required to establish an effective framework for implementing the policy.
WAHO Liaison Officer in Guinea-Bissau, Dr Plácido Cardoso, underscored the importance of sustained engagement among national stakeholders and development partners in ensuring the success of the implementation process.
With Gabú and Oio now designated as pilot regions, Guinea-Bissau is expected to test and strengthen the policy’s implementation mechanisms at the community level before lessons from the pilot phase inform wider application.
WAHO said the initiative underscores its commitment to supporting Guinea-Bissau and other ECOWAS Member States to strengthen community health systems and ensure that quality healthcare is brought closer to the people.
