Civil Society play a particularly powerful role in health campaigns, creating the political and social space for collaborations that are based on the core values of health as a basic human right and the collective good. By training to increase the capacity and effectiveness of the CSOs, we are shifting the ownership to countries and the CSOs within them. It is the CSOs who will bring communities together for collection action, mobilising society to articulate demands and voice concerns at local, national, regional and international levels.
The first African CSO coalition on NTDs, formed in July 2019, creates a connected, integrated, collaborative African CSO network, build CSO capacity to develop and implement locally relevant advocacy strategies, and engage political leaders on policy and budget support for sustainable NTD control and elimination programs.
This coalition provides a platform for CSOs, at all levels, to consult and collaborate with a view to maximize the impact of their efforts.
No to NTD Civil Society Network Speaks Up Against COVID
As Civil Society Organisations, we understand the pivotal role we can play in contributing to the design of public policies, including health policies, and in conducting awareness raising activities aimed at stopping the spread of misinformation, encouraging good practices, slowing down and ultimately preventing the spread of Covid-19 across Africa. This is why calls upon other civil society organizations, governments and partners to ensure that NTDs are not overlooked during the Covid-19 pandemic
The CSOs who are part of our Network have been taking extraordinary efforts to positively impact the fight against NTDs. In fact, 647 people have been mobilized across Guinea, Niger and Senegal, including 82 Parliamentarians, 80 journalists, 80 prefects and mayors, 221 community leaders, 125 civil society actors, and 59 communal technical services.
Commitment of local elected officials to integrate NTDs in their Operational Plans of Territorial Communities with a strong emphasis on the mobilization of endogenous resources.
Commitment by the Parliamentarians of the Finance, Health and Youth Committee to advocate during the committee work for a better consideration of NTDs in the budget of the Ministry of Health and Social Action in Senegal.
Parliamentarians in Guinea ensuring the improvement of the budget of the National NTDs Control Programme through the Ministry of Health.
Commitment by CDS health development committees to allocate financial resources to support community actors in integrating activities to combat NTDs in their service packages.
Signature of the Declaration of Commitment of CSOs in the fight against NTDs by local authorities.
Statement by the Minister of Health on financing the elimination of NTDs in Guinea Conakry.
Establishment of a coalition of CSOs for the fight against NTDs in Guinea and Niger.