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From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy

Received: 26 September 2023     Accepted: 20 March 2024     Published: 2 April 2024
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Abstract

Africa faces persistent health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable illnesses, necessitating robust public health policies. However, the translation of these policies into effective practice remains a substantial challenge across the continent. This study employed a rigorous literature review, and policy analysis to shed light on the multifaceted factors impeding the successful transition from policy formulation to tangible health outcomes. Findings indicates that while Africa has made substantial progress in crafting health policies that align with global health goals, critical gaps persist in their execution. Major challenges include resource limitations, weak health infrastructure, insufficient capacity building, and complex socio-cultural dynamics that influence health behaviors and practices. In addition, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and lack of political will are identified as systemic barriers to policy implementation. The study highlights the need for adaptive and evidence-based policy making rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, and a multifaceted approach to bridge these gaps and address challenges. This includes strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, enhancing collaboration between governments and international partners, and fostering community engagement to ensure policies resonate with local contexts.

Published in Central African Journal of Public Health (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14
Page(s) 90-99
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

African Public Health Policies, Health Policy, Public Health Policy, Workforce, African People

References
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    Otorkpa, O. J., Otorkpa, C. O., Adebola, O. A., Emmanuel, S., Adamu, A., et al. (2024). From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy. Central African Journal of Public Health, 10(2), 90-99. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14

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    Otorkpa, O. J.; Otorkpa, C. O.; Adebola, O. A.; Emmanuel, S.; Adamu, A., et al. From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy. Cent. Afr. J. Public Health 2024, 10(2), 90-99. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14

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    AMA Style

    Otorkpa OJ, Otorkpa CO, Adebola OA, Emmanuel S, Adamu A, et al. From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy. Cent Afr J Public Health. 2024;10(2):90-99. doi: 10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14,
      author = {Oche Joseph Otorkpa and Chinenye Oche Otorkpa and Onifade Adefunmilola Adebola and Stephen Emmanuel and Ahamed Adamu and Ololade Esther Olaniyan and Saizonou Zinsou Jacques and Okolo Martin Luther Oseni and Abdirizak Mohamud Yusuf and Maman Laminou Ibrahim and Zakariaou Njoumemi and Ruhaima Issah Zorro and Francis Ngemba Kiese and Abechi Andrew Alapa and Dechasa Adare and Adamu Usman Musa and Fatima Ahmed},
      title = {From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy
    },
      journal = {Central African Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {10},
      number = {2},
      pages = {90-99},
      doi = {10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cajph.20241002.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cajph.20241002.14},
      abstract = {Africa faces persistent health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable illnesses, necessitating robust public health policies. However, the translation of these policies into effective practice remains a substantial challenge across the continent. This study employed a rigorous literature review, and policy analysis to shed light on the multifaceted factors impeding the successful transition from policy formulation to tangible health outcomes. Findings indicates that while Africa has made substantial progress in crafting health policies that align with global health goals, critical gaps persist in their execution. Major challenges include resource limitations, weak health infrastructure, insufficient capacity building, and complex socio-cultural dynamics that influence health behaviors and practices. In addition, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and lack of political will are identified as systemic barriers to policy implementation. The study highlights the need for adaptive and evidence-based policy making rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, and a multifaceted approach to bridge these gaps and address challenges. This includes strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, enhancing collaboration between governments and international partners, and fostering community engagement to ensure policies resonate with local contexts.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    T1  - From Policy to Practice: A Review of Africa’s Public Health Policy
    
    AU  - Oche Joseph Otorkpa
    AU  - Chinenye Oche Otorkpa
    AU  - Onifade Adefunmilola Adebola
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    AU  - Saizonou Zinsou Jacques
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    AB  - Africa faces persistent health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable illnesses, necessitating robust public health policies. However, the translation of these policies into effective practice remains a substantial challenge across the continent. This study employed a rigorous literature review, and policy analysis to shed light on the multifaceted factors impeding the successful transition from policy formulation to tangible health outcomes. Findings indicates that while Africa has made substantial progress in crafting health policies that align with global health goals, critical gaps persist in their execution. Major challenges include resource limitations, weak health infrastructure, insufficient capacity building, and complex socio-cultural dynamics that influence health behaviors and practices. In addition, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption, and lack of political will are identified as systemic barriers to policy implementation. The study highlights the need for adaptive and evidence-based policy making rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, and a multifaceted approach to bridge these gaps and address challenges. This includes strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, enhancing collaboration between governments and international partners, and fostering community engagement to ensure policies resonate with local contexts.
    
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