WHO Community Engagement Package: A Reinforcement of an Inclusive Approach to Public Health

Abstract

Community Engagement (CE) plays a crucial role in successful public health actions, achieving universal health coverage, and the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It has emerged as an effective strategy across different settings through prevention, preparedness, readiness and response, and recovery towards attaining community resilience, Primary Health Care (PHC) strengthening and universal health coverage (UHC), health security, and sustainable development. We reviewed the existing literature and various data sources and found that several CE training packages are available from international partners, focusing on the principles, theories, general questions, and CE techniques. However, there are still challenges because they are often fragmented, with little or no systematic procedures to guide the CE processes in different settings. In this light, WHO initiated a discourse on the CE Package (CEP) development in consultation with some selected international partners. The CEP Project will focus on developing a database, learning, and workshop packages based on curation of CE experiences in different settings using defined criteria. The CEP would harmonize CE processes and facilitate the reinforcement of the CE integration into public health. Further, the CEP Project serves as a collection of selected best practices for pre-service and in-service training packages for health professionals. Also, there is an anticipated inclusion into curricula of health training institutions and WHO staff capacity development. Finally, the database for compiling best practices is designed such that it can be periodically updated and becomes a compendium of CE for learning, research, and informing practice.

Tracking the uptake and trajectory of COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 15 West African countries: an interim analysis

“…To address the challenge of vaccine hesitancy currently encountered in the COVID-19 vaccination programmes in the West African sub-region, 28 national governments and partners need to adopt culturally acceptable, community-led strategies to implement effective messaging that highlights the risks and benefits of vaccination, addresses the myths and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccinations. 29 For example, in Côte d'Ivoire, the political leadership enlisted community influencers, religious and community leaders to address vaccine hesitancy. 16 Adopting this strategy in all ECOWAS countries would improve vaccination uptake and reduce the time lag between the arrival of vaccines and vaccine delivery.…”

Description of global innovative methods in developing the WHO Community Engagement Package

“…The design of the CEP project came about after consultations with WHO colleagues involved in CE work, bringing in experiences of WHO working with communities in different contexts and settings. 19 These colleagues work in different thematic areas: health promotion, social determinants of health, health systems, disaster risk reduction, risk communication, healthy cities, community readiness and resilience, and population-based focused work. As the CEP design was drafted, a working group (WG) was established to provide technical advice and CE resources related to their respective areas of work.…”

“…The WHO Department of Country Readiness Strengthening conceptualised and initiated the Community Engagement Package (CEP) project based on consultations within WHO Regional Offices and Headquarters. The CEP project 19 developed a database of CE experiences, a CE learning package (CELP) and a CE workshop package (CEWP) based on a broad scope of CE experiences in different settings. The compiled cases can guide programme managers, CE practitioners, in-service medical and non-medical trainees, non-governmental organisation staff and multidisciplinary teams to sharpen their skills in the CE approach.…”

Innovating tuberculosis prevention to achieve universal health coverage in the Philippines

“…This three-pronged innovative approach to TPT will support a paradigm shift wherein communities are empowered to decide about their own health, and participatory governance becomes instrumental in establishing a platform for community participation. 24 The approach would allow community members to demand for responsive and culturally sensitive programs, and in the process, create a dynamic relationship between the service provider, community, and local governance. Instead of a hierarchical governance approach, communities should demand high-quality health services that are inclusive and transformative.…”

“…Purposive involvement of communities in government-led initiatives has sustained initial gains in health. 24 , 25 Locally driven solutions enforced by leadership and policies have been demonstrated to increase health utilisation indicators. 25 , 26 Thus, participatory governance should ensure community involvement across provinces to improve access to TB preventive services.…”