West African Health Organization (WAHO)
The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is the regional Agency charged with the responsibility of safeguarding the health of the peoples in the sub-region through the initiation and harmonization of the policies of Member States, pooling of resources, and cooperation with one another and with others for a collective and strategic combat against the health problems of the sub-region.
The Protocol, grants WAHO status as a Specialized Agency of ECOWAS and describes the organization’s mission as ‘the attainment of the highest possible standard and protection’.
Visions and strategies:
WAHO is a proactive instrument of regional health integration that enables high-impact and cost-effective interventions and programs by:
- Maintaining sustainable partnerships
- Strengthening capacity building
- Collecting, interpreting and disseminating information
- Promoting cooperation and ensuring coordination and advocacy
- Exploiting information communication technologies
WAHO has through its strategic programs, undertaken measures to combat Malaria, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, maternal and infant mortality; prevention of blindness actions for easy access to medicines and vaccines, epidemiological surveillance as well as training and health information management in the sub-region.