Calling all those teaching health economics in sub-Saharan Africa

an invitation to participate in a survey to identify teaching institutions

This is a critical time for teaching health economics in sub Saharan Africa. Many countries are journeying towards Universal Health Coverage while transitioning from donor funding, and the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the essential convergence between health and behaviors, health financing, health systems and macroeconomics in decision-making and health policy.  The need for local health economists in Africa has never been more acute, but we have very little coordinated knowledge of where teaching health economics is taking place, what is being taught and how many graduates are being produced. This survey seeks to provide these answers and more.

The survey is a unique collaborative effort coordinated by the Health Economics Unit, University of Cape Town and supported by the International Decision Support Initiative (iDSI), the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA), and the Teaching Helath Economics Special Interest Group of the International Health Economics Association (iHEA).  It aims to generate a clear picture of teaching health economics in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a foundation for collaboration and planning and enabling a collective and locally-driven vision for the future of health economics on the continent. The survey is available in English and French and is aimed at post graduate degree coordinators at institutions in sub-Saharan Africa that are teaching health economics, the survey link is available below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Health_econ_ENG

Completion date for the survey is Wednesday, 17^th June 2020

If you are not a degree coordinator at an institution in sub-Saharan Africa but are interested in being involved in this initiative, please contact Tommy  Wilkinson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

New AfHEA Membership Rates

Dear colleagues, below is a table showing the various AfHEA membership categories and rates. Beginning from July 1 2019, some rates have been revised. Full Ordinary and Associate membership rates have been revised as follows;

 Read about benefits of AfHEA membership.

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

AfHEA

Feedback on review of abstracts (Version en français plus bas)

Dear author,
 
The first step of the abstracts' review process is complete and the scientific committee is pleased to announce that the results will be progressively sent to authors within the next 15 days. A second quality control procedure is currently underway for some abstracts.

Regards
 
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Cher auteur,
 
La première étape du processus de révision des résumés est terminée et le comité scientifique est heureux d'annoncer que les résultats seront envoyés progressivement aux auteurs dans les 15 prochains jours. Une deuxième étape de contrôle de la qualité est actuellement en cours pour certains résumés.
 
Cordialement

Reminder: October 31, 2018 is final deadline for individual abstract submission for AfHEA’s 2019 scientific conference in Ghana

AfHEA tribute to a great public health leader

The sudden passing of Dr. Frank Nyonator has struck the AfHEA family hard. This sad news was conveyed to us on August 13, 2018. The pain, grief and the feeling of helplessness seems unbearable. Indeed, a heavy branch has fallen and a big vacuum created by his sudden departure. But what does the bible teach about death? "For dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). Frank as we fondly called him, passed on after brief ill health. He was a quiet, supportive and a modest man with a strong sense of humour. Frank was a giant in African public health, especially in health financing, economics, policy and research methods, and a senior founding member of AfHEA.

His recent assignment for AfHEA was as the Chairman of the Fundraising committee for the AfHEA 2019 5th Biennial conference and a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

His support to AfHEA dates back to 2009 where he tirelessly supported to host the inaugural conference. Frank was involved in the set-up of an office for AfHEA in 2010 when he was the Director of the PPME Division of the Ghana Health Service. In fact AfHEA's first employee was stationed in his Division and he ensured that every process necessary for the organizational set-up was well managed and financed. Our staff recalls that he would always say, "If you need my help in any way, please let me know," and he meant it. He was willing to listen and never short of wise advice and counsel.  He never shirked his responsibilities.

He also played a crucial role in the conception and setting up of the Ghana Health Economics and Policy Association (GHEA). Not only has Frank played his role effectively within the community and family of AfHEA, but he had been playing a leading role in the development of Ghana's UHC program. He had much earlier also been one of the pioneers of the CHPS program in Ghana.

Frank was so hard working that even when he retired from active service at the Ghana Health service, he took up jobs, first at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, UHAS, Ho , and second as the Chief of Party of USAID's Evaluate for Health (E4H) where he worked until his passing.

We can no longer hear your voice, but we know you are watching from where you are. You will forever be our hero. We are all trying to cope with your passing, and dwelling on memories we have shared individually with you. We will find strength to carry on, and continue to make you proud. You will be deeply missed.

May Frank's soul rest in peace, may his life remain a shining example for all of us and may his brilliant ideas continue to live long after him!

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On behalf of the LOC and the AfHEA Secretariat