Abstract
The World Health Organization African Region (WHOAFRO)
Transformation Agenda initiated in 2015 has emerged as an important health
leadership strengthening initiative in pursuing the 2030 health Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) and universal health coverage. However, there
remains need for research narrating health policy lessons from implementing
it with a focus on Pro-Results Values, Smart Technical Focus, Responsive
Strategic Operations, and Eective Communications and Partnerships, for just
and sustainable public health systems in pursuing universal health coverage.
Aim: This study explored health policy lessons from the implementation of
WHOAFRO Transformation from 2020 to 2023, and how this may help reinforce
health systems governance on the continent.
Methods: This paper is generated from a wider study commissioned by
WHOAFRO. The study design used was exploratory and qualitative. Secondary
data were collected from publicly available purposively selected WHO
documents. Narratives were first generated from the data, followed by coding
and then thematic analysis.
Results: Training and mentorship helped strengthen skills levels amongst
health leaders which helped contribute eciently toward Pro-Results Values.
Interventions were directed to align with continental health system leadership
goals for Smart Technical Focus. Leadership structures and systems were
streamlined to strengthen organizational functions for the delivery of desired
outcomes to achieve Responsive Strategic Operations. Collaboration with
donors and health system governance partners at all levels helped broaden the
resource base, which was complemented by the adoption of digital tools and
hybrid work arrangements for Eective Partnerships and Communication.
Discussion and conclusion: Transforming health leadership in the Africa Region
requires sustained eort to train health leaders to help strengthen health systems
governance toward meeting the healthcare needs of the population. There is
need for continued reinforcement of ethics values amongst health leadership
to maintain a high moral standards for health workforce protection. There is
also a need to sustain innovativeness in incorporating digital tools and hybrid
work models into health governance for eective and ecient communication
Frontiers in PublicHealth 01 frontiersin.org
Taderera 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1616655
in health system leadership work. Strengthening partnerships between actors
at all health governance levels helps contribute toward resource mobilization
required for health system functioning for just and sustained pursuit of universal
health coverage.