The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said it has finalised a harmonised regional benchmark for health sciences training institutions.

The Head of Training and Human Resources for Health at WAHO, Joseph Olorunda, made the disclosure on Thursday at the close of a regional workshop involving health experts from ECOWAS member states.

Mr Olorunda said that the benchmark would set minimum standards for the establishment, accreditation and operation of health sciences training institutions across the sub-region.

Over 65 academics and health professionals participated in the workshop to validate the guidelines aimed at standardising the training of health workers across the 15-member regional bloc.

M Olorunda said the benchmark would serve as the minimum requirement for institutions seeking to establish health training programmes or obtain regional accreditation from WAHO.

He said the harmonised document had been finalised and would be uploaded to the WAHO website after the completion of administrative processes to enable institutions and member states to access it for self-assessment and accreditation.

He said institutions seeking WAHO’s support for training health professionals must comply with the minimum standards in the benchmark.

“Countries seeking regional accreditation can download the document, conduct a self-assessment and submit their applications through the approved process,” he said.

Also, WAHO Liaison Officer for Nigeria, Bosede Arogundade, said the benchmark would harmonise the quality of health professional training across ECOWAS and promote the free movement of health workers within the region.

She added that WAHO would continue to engage member states to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the regional benchmark. 

(NAN)