The African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) has commended the Community Scorecard approach, describing it as an important platform for communities and health service providers to identify challenges, set priorities and work together to improve the quality and responsiveness of healthcare delivery.
AMMREN says lessons emerging from the Community Scorecard process must be widely communicated to ensure that citizens’ voices are heard beyond the communities where the initiative is being implemented.
In her opening remarks in a webinar for journalists and key stakeholders, Executive Director of AMMREN, Dr Charity Binka, said sustained collaboration among communities, health service providers, the media and development partners is critical to strengthening accountability in the health sector.
She said support through the Expertise France 5% Initiative Grant provides an opportunity for stakeholders to deepen community participation and improve healthcare delivery.
Dr Binka said effective community participation requires not only strong systems, but also access to information, effective communication and sustained public engagement.
She emphasized the important role of the media in ensuring that the Community Scorecard process achieves its intended impact.
According to her, journalists can translate technical health information into accessible public knowledge, draw the attention of decision-makers to community concerns, highlight positive practices and follow up on commitments made to improve health services.
She added that responsible and evidence-based reporting can strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in the health system.
‘We believe that when communities are informed, when health workers are engaged, and when the media has the knowledge and tools to report effectively, we create stronger pathways towards responsive and accountable health systems’ Dr Binka stated.
Dr Binka said the webinar was also aimed at bringing together the Ghana Health Service, media practitioners and key partners to share experiences, assess progress and deepen journalists’ understanding of the Community Scorecard approach.
She reaffirmed AMMREN’s commitment to bridging the gap between health research, policy, communities and the media.
Dr Binka urged stakeholders to share their experiences, acknowledge challenges and identify practical ways of strengthening collaboration among communities, health service providers, journalists and other partners.
Executive Director of the West Africa Project to Combat AIDS and STIs, WAPCAS PLUS, Comfort Asamoah-Adu, disclosed that her organization has coordinated and facilitated Community Scorecard training for 46 out of 135 district hospitals in Ghana.
She said WAPCAS is also coordinating and facilitating data collection, mobilization and capacity-building activities for key populations.
Executive Director, WAPCAS PLUS, Madam Asamoah-Adu said WAPCAS will continue to expand training on the Community Scorecard to more health facilities to strengthen accountability and responsiveness in healthcare delivery.
The webinar brought together journalists, the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders, including the Africa Leaders Malaria Alliance, Hope for Future Generations and WAPCAS, to share experiences and strengthen partnerships around community participation and health accountability.
