Strengthening equitable health systems in West Africa: The regional project on governance research for equity in health systems

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) supported an innovative regional initiative that contributes to building effective decision making, community and researcher partnerships to strengthen equitable health systems and influence local programmes and policies. Four projects were funded in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Senegal, supported by a Regional Advisory Committee of experts and local Steering Committees. Based on a framework drawn from WAHO objectives, we reviewed documents, conducted 56 project stakeholder interviews and undertook thematic analysis. A diverse range of stakeholders perceived that the projects were in line with national priorities, were well managed and were equitably implemented. The projects generated evidence that could increase access to and improve quality maternal health services. Sustainable partnerships were formed and stakeholder and research team capacity were strengthened. Our study provides insight into project implementation in West Africa, bearing in mind context-specific issues. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[5]: 81-89).

The impact of governance quality on mortality rates in Sub Saharan Africa

Background: The study examined the impact of governance quality on infant mortality, maternal mortality and adult female mortality in sub Saharan Africa.Data Source and Methods: World Bank data covering 2002 to 2015 for 31 sub Saharan African countries were employed and analysed utilising the Driscoll and Kraay Fixed Effect Model. Results: Improvements in regulatory quality and total governance reduces infant mortality by 0.1441 and 0.0712 percentage points respectively. Improvements in the control of corruption, regulatory quality and total governance reduces maternal mortality by 0.0788, 0.1324 and 0.0654 percentage points respectively. Political stability reduces adult female mortality by 0.0485 percentage point.Conclusion: There is need for the pursuit of efficient and speedy execution of sound private sector development policies in order to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Enhancing the fight against corruption aids maternal mortality reduction. Political stable environment should be prioritised to reduce adult female mortality. An overall improvement in the quality of governance reduces mortality rates in the region