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Empowering communities for health: the unseen heroes of Universal Health Coverage

Universal Health Coverage is impossible without the involvement of the communities involved. Gavi’s Daniella Biraaro explains why putting communities at its heart is essential.

13 December 2023
3 min read
by Daniella Biraaro
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<article> <h1> <span>Empowering communities for health: the unseen heroes of Universal Health Coverage</span> </h1> <div><p>Universal Health Coverage is impossible without the involvement of the communities involved. Gavi’s Daniella Biraaro explains why putting communities at its heart is essential. </p></div> <ul> <li> <b>13 December 2023</b> </li> <li> <b class="me-2">by</b> <span> <a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/authors/daniella-biraaro" hreflang="en">Daniella Biraaro</a> </span> </li> </ul> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p> </p><p>The success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is intricately woven into the fabric of community empowerment, emphasising inclusivity, accountability, and a commitment to leaving no one behind. In the realm of immunisation, the engagement of communities becomes a cornerstone for achieving health for all, making the dream of UHC a reality. Through real-life examples and empowering strategies, we unravel the profound impact of community engagement on achieving UHC goals, with a specific focus on immunisation.</p><p>In the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, the world is witnessing a transformative journey where health is not just a privilege but a fundamental right for all. Communities and grassroots initiatives are reshaping the landscape of global health.</p><blockquote><h2>“Community engagement transforms health systems from a top-down paradigm to a people-centred approach, ensuring that Universal Health Coverage responds effectively to the diverse and specific needs of communities.”</h2><h6>– Mehr Gul Shah, Gavi Public Policy Engagement</h6></blockquote><p>"The involvement of communities is not just beneficial, but essential for promoting health and achieving UHC," Mehr Gul Shah of Gavi's Public Policy Engagement team tells <em>VaccinesWork</em>. "This approach puts health coverage in the hands of the people, ensuring that their needs and perspectives shape health initiatives and policies. By engaging communities, UHC becomes more than a top-down initiative; it transforms into a collaborative effort where local insights and experiences play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes."</p><h3>Community-led initiatives</h3><p>Gabriel Fatoye's community in Lagos faced the pervasive threat of malaria head-on. With nearly 600,000 malaria-related deaths in the WHO African region in 2021, the community took proactive measures. Embracing community-led action, they conducted regular fumigation, maintained proper drainage, ensured refuse disposal and collaborated with health workers for educational health talks. The community exemplified self-reliance and trust in addressing health emergencies.</p><div><h4>Have you read?</h4><ul><li><a href="https://www.gavi.org%20Here's%20what%20needs%20to%20happen">Progress has slowed on universal health coverage: Here's what needs to happen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-universal-health-coverage-underpins-pandemic-prevention-preparedness" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a80342df-2a1d-4deb-b527-28fa07fdb7df" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="How Universal Health Coverage underpins pandemic prevention, preparedness and response">How Universal Health Coverage underpins pandemic prevention, preparedness and response</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-zambia-improving-universal-health-coverage-we-asked-local-parliamentarian" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b0e9f5a4-6b3b-4313-981b-8e5f9298dd3d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="How is Zambia improving Universal Health Coverage? We asked a local parliamentarian">How is Zambia improving Universal Health Coverage? We asked a local parliamentarian</a></li></ul></div><p>In Lilongwe;s Kawalika region, passionate women led by Judith Nowa, Chairperson for Kawalika Mother Care Group, embarked on a journey to address inadequacies in under-five clinics. Frustrated with irregular clinics conducted under trees and unreliable health services, they built an "under-five shelter". This community-driven change became a symbol of hope, ensuring children receive timely vaccinations, check-ups, and essential care in a dedicated space.</p><h3>The four levels of engagement</h3><p>Examining community empowerment strategies, we delve into the four levels of engagement: community-oriented, community-based, community-managed, and community-owned. This progression toward empowerment represents a critical step in achieving sustainable health practices, aligning with the principles of UHC.</p><p>The World Health Organization defines community engagement as a dynamic process, fostering relationships to collaboratively address health-related issues. The benefits are undeniable, catalysing changes in behaviour, environments, policies, and practices. Community engagement becomes a dynamic force shaping health outcomes and contributing to the resilience of healthcare systems.</p><h3>Immunisation and community-led success</h3><p>Community engagement ensures that UHC strategies are responsive to the unique needs of different populations. By showcasing how communities take an active role in immunisation, we highlight the interconnectedness of community empowerment and the effectiveness of vaccination programmes.</p><p>"Community engagement transforms health systems from a top-down paradigm to a people-centred approach, ensuring that Universal Health Coverage responds effectively to the diverse and specific needs of communities," says Mehr Gul Shah.</p><p>As we celebrate the transformative potential of UHC, let us recognise the revolution led by communities and grassroots initiatives. From combatting malaria to establishing vital healthcare infrastructure, these initiatives showcase the versatility and resilience of community-led efforts. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/empowering-communities-health-unseen-heroes-universal-health-coverage">Original article</a> </p><p>This article was originally published on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork">VaccinesWork</a> </p><script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-M7H54VD');</script><noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-M7H54VD" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript></article>

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The success of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is intricately woven into the fabric of community empowerment, emphasising inclusivity, accountability, and a commitment to leaving no one behind. In the realm of immunisation, the engagement of communities becomes a cornerstone for achieving health for all, making the dream of UHC a reality. Through real-life examples and empowering strategies, we unravel the profound impact of community engagement on achieving UHC goals, with a specific focus on immunisation.

In the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage, the world is witnessing a transformative journey where health is not just a privilege but a fundamental right for all. Communities and grassroots initiatives are reshaping the landscape of global health.

“Community engagement transforms health systems from a top-down paradigm to a people-centred approach, ensuring that Universal Health Coverage responds effectively to the diverse and specific needs of communities.”
– Mehr Gul Shah, Gavi Public Policy Engagement

"The involvement of communities is not just beneficial, but essential for promoting health and achieving UHC," Mehr Gul Shah of Gavi's Public Policy Engagement team tells VaccinesWork. "This approach puts health coverage in the hands of the people, ensuring that their needs and perspectives shape health initiatives and policies. By engaging communities, UHC becomes more than a top-down initiative; it transforms into a collaborative effort where local insights and experiences play a crucial role in shaping health outcomes."

Community-led initiatives

Gabriel Fatoye's community in Lagos faced the pervasive threat of malaria head-on. With nearly 600,000 malaria-related deaths in the WHO African region in 2021, the community took proactive measures. Embracing community-led action, they conducted regular fumigation, maintained proper drainage, ensured refuse disposal and collaborated with health workers for educational health talks. The community exemplified self-reliance and trust in addressing health emergencies.

Have you read?

In Lilongwe;s Kawalika region, passionate women led by Judith Nowa, Chairperson for Kawalika Mother Care Group, embarked on a journey to address inadequacies in under-five clinics. Frustrated with irregular clinics conducted under trees and unreliable health services, they built an "under-five shelter". This community-driven change became a symbol of hope, ensuring children receive timely vaccinations, check-ups, and essential care in a dedicated space.

The four levels of engagement

Examining community empowerment strategies, we delve into the four levels of engagement: community-oriented, community-based, community-managed, and community-owned. This progression toward empowerment represents a critical step in achieving sustainable health practices, aligning with the principles of UHC.

The World Health Organization defines community engagement as a dynamic process, fostering relationships to collaboratively address health-related issues. The benefits are undeniable, catalysing changes in behaviour, environments, policies, and practices. Community engagement becomes a dynamic force shaping health outcomes and contributing to the resilience of healthcare systems.

Immunisation and community-led success

Community engagement ensures that UHC strategies are responsive to the unique needs of different populations. By showcasing how communities take an active role in immunisation, we highlight the interconnectedness of community empowerment and the effectiveness of vaccination programmes.

"Community engagement transforms health systems from a top-down paradigm to a people-centred approach, ensuring that Universal Health Coverage responds effectively to the diverse and specific needs of communities," says Mehr Gul Shah.

As we celebrate the transformative potential of UHC, let us recognise the revolution led by communities and grassroots initiatives. From combatting malaria to establishing vital healthcare infrastructure, these initiatives showcase the versatility and resilience of community-led efforts.