As part of implementing the recommendations of MIDH/GI-ESCR's joint report on access to healthcare in GAGNOA using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) method, we organised a workshop to strengthen the capacity of members of the monitoring committee between 21 and 22 August in GAGNOA, Ivory Coast, together with MIDH.  

This workshop aimed to build the capacity of the 15 monitoring committee members to develop an advocacy strategy. Three new members have joined the monitoring committee between the presentation of the PAR findings in 2023 and the implementation of its advocacy this year. This demonstrates the community's growing interest in advocating access to healthcare in GAGNOA. 

The opening ceremony 

The following authorities attended the opening ceremony: Ms. Koffi Ange Dominique, Head of Division, representing the Regional Prefect; Prefect of the GAGNOA Department, Mr. Gnonhi Franck, Director General of the GÔH Regional Council; Ms. Ahi Marie-Laure Ahoty, representing the Mayor of the city of GAGNOA; and Ms. Ane Koko Madeleine, Director of Human Resources, representing the Regional Director of Health. 

The Deputy Secretary General of MIDH, Dr. Kouadjo Stéphane, announced the various future advocacy stages and called for local authorities' support.

Finally, Mrs. Koffi Ange Dominique stressed the importance of access to healthcare and expressed her hope that this project would lead to improved access to healthcare for the people of GAGNOA.  

Training 

Deputy Secretary General of MIDH, Dr. Kouadjo Stéphane, delivered the first training module. It consisted of presenting the participatory action research (PAR) report on access to healthcare in GAGNOA. The presentation focused on the context and objectives of the study, the research methodology, the actors involved, the research findings, and recommendations. This presentation enabled all the participants to grasp the project's dynamics fully.  

President of the GÔH Regional Human Rights Commission, Mr. Diarrassouba Daouda Moussa, gave the second advocacy presentation. He clarified the concept of advocacy and presented the types and different advocacy stages. Mr. Diarrassouba continued with the third and final presentation on the advocacy action plan. This led to comments on the outline of the advocacy strategy. 

 Group work 

The monitoring committee members were divided into three groups of five people each. Each group was asked to work on a key recommendation: 

- Group 1: receiving patients 

- Group 2: eliminating financial barriers 

- Group 3: making the national health coverage (CMU) operational 

The objective for each group was to develop an advocacy strategy around the theme of their recommendation.

Next steps

This advocacy project is taking place in various phases, which represent gradual levels of engagement with GAGNOA decision-makers regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the PAR report on access to healthcare in the city. 

Therefore, after this capacity-building workshop, the community-led monitoring committee will hold an awareness-raising workshop that is targeted only at political, administrative, traditional, and health authorities at the local level.