Advancing collaboration with ECSA HC for strengthening human resources for eye health

In October of 2024, the ECSA HC expert committee on eye health held a meeting in Nairobi to deliberate on ways of integrating the regional Human Resources for Eye Health Strategy into national health plans. Following the meeting, the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA HC) highlighted a number of opportunities that the committee can leverage to advance the Human Resources for Eye Health (HReH) agenda. Recognizing the urgent need for skilled eye health professionals across the region, IAPB Africa team recently held a follow-up meeting with the ECSA HC team to explore these opportunities further and determine actionable next steps.

Key Outcomes and Opportunities for Collaboration

1. Dissemination of the ECSA HC Meeting Report
   • The IAPB team will liaise with the ECSA HC communications team to share the meeting report.
   • The committee secretariat will ensure that meeting minutes are widely circulated within ECSA HC networks.
2. Knowledge Sharing – Community of Practice (CoP)
   • ECSA HC’s Health Systems Department currently coordinates two CoPs:
     • Human Resources for Health (HRH)
     • Health Systems and Service Delivery
   • The committee will assess and agree on the CoP that is most relevant for eye health, and second a representative to the CoP ensuring greater collaboration and integration.
3. Policy Advocacy – Integration of the HReH Strategy
   • The committee will explore how ECSA HC can support member states in integrating the HReH strategy into national workforce plans.
   • ECSA HC will facilitate connections with Ministries of Health, allowing targeted advocacy and implementation in priority countries.
4. Engagement with ECSA HC’s New Leadership
   • Following the appointment of the new Director General in April 2025, a delegation from the committee will schedule a courtesy visit to engage and align priorities.
5. HReH Strategy Presentation at the Best Practices Forum (BPF)
   • The committee will submit an abstract for the HReH strategy to be presented at the Best Practices Forum (BPF).
   • If accepted, this will provide an opportunity to showcase regional efforts and gain further support.
6. Leveraging Existing ECSA HC Resolutions
   • Mapping existing resolutions that support the advancement of HReH will be a priority.
   • The next Health Ministers Conference (HMC) will include discussions on human resources, offering a key opportunity to align HReH with broader health workforce priorities.

The Path Forward

These outcomes provide a strong foundation for continued collaboration between ECSA HC, IAPB, COECSA, and the committee at large. By aligning efforts, we can drive sustainable improvements in Human Resources for Eye Health across the ECSA region.

Stay tuned for further updates as we work towards a stronger, more resilient eye health workforce in Africa!