Afghanistan Afghan Public Health Institute Strategic Plan - ianphi

STRATEGIC DIRECTION: SUPPORT HEALTH PROMOTION AND COMMUNITYEMPOWERMENTBrief Description/Rationale and Current Situation“Strengthening Community Action” is one of the Population Health Promotion strategies originallyarticulated in the Ottawa Charter that was adopted at the First International Conference on HealthPromotion held in Ottawa in 1986 and co‐sponsored by the Canadian Public Health Association, Healthand Welfare Canada and the World Health Organization. The Ottawa Charter notes that:“Health promotion works through concrete and effective community action in setting priorities, makingdecisions, planning strategies and implementing them to achieve better health. At the heart of this processis the empowerment of communities ‐ their ownership and control of their own endeavours and destinies.Community development draws on existing human and material resources in the community to enhanceself‐help and social support, and to develop flexible systems for strengthening public participation in anddirection of health matters. This requires full and continuous access to information, learning opportunitiesfor health, as well as funding support” (p. 3)The intent of this Strategic Direction is to recognize the valuable contribution of communities and theirrole in supporting the adoption of healthy lifestyles at home, at work and in their communities, as wellas their participation in identifying community needs and assisting in the development andimplementation of relevant health programs and services. It also reinforces the importance ofprevention and health promotion as key strategies to prevent many causes of death and illness inAfghanistan.Health promotion is important for Afghanistan as it“ … focuses on achieving equity in health. Health promotion action aims at reducing differencesin current health status and ensuring equal opportunities and resources to enable all people toachieve their fullest potential. This includes a secure foundation in a supportive environment,access to information, life skills and opportunities for making healthy choices. People cannotachieve their fullest health potential unless they are able to take control of those things whichdetermine their health. This must apply equally to women and men” (Ottawa Charter, p. 1)Community Based Health Care (CBHC) has been demonstrated to be the foundation for the successfuldelivery of the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in Afghanistan; providing a platform for aconstructive interaction between the health care system and the communities it serves. Health workers,particularly those who work at the community level, require skills to not only work collaboratively withMinistry of Public Health Strategic Plan, 2011‐201540