1. Regional Initiative for RHCS in West Africa October 2004: ECOWAS Health Ministers ask West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), partners, and Member States to: Prepare a regional RHCS strategy and convene donors to support it.Prepare a regional RHCS strategy and convene donors to support it. Develop an “informed buying” platform to support country procurementsDevelop an “informed buying” platform to support country procurements November 2004: Director General/WAHO makes presentation to RH Supplies Coalition November 2004: Director General/WAHO makes presentation to RH Supplies Coalition USAID, World Bank, UNFPA mobilize new resources to support development of RHCS strategy and “informed buying” USAID, World Bank, UNFPA mobilize new resources to support development of RHCS strategy and “informed buying”

2. Regional Initiative for RHCS in West Africa “Informed Buying” Consultations underway to assess data needs, readiness, implementation options. Preliminary results show:Consultations underway to assess data needs, readiness, implementation options. Preliminary results show: Countries want better market intelligence Countries want better market intelligence Technology and human resources are not limiting factors Technology and human resources are not limiting factors Champions and resources will be required for implementation Champions and resources will be required for implementation Additional country visits to Mali and NigeriaAdditional country visits to Mali and Nigeria Vet technical options (WAHO-led)Vet technical options (WAHO-led) Vet with Ministers (July 2005)Vet with Ministers (July 2005) Secure resources, skills, and workplan for implementationSecure resources, skills, and workplan for implementation

3. Regional Initiative for RHCS in West Africa RHCS Strategy Concept paper drafted; reviewed at WAHO meeting (April). The strategy will:Concept paper drafted; reviewed at WAHO meeting (April). The strategy will: Identify actors at country and regional levelsIdentify actors at country and regional levels Put special attention on WAHO’s rolePut special attention on WAHO’s role Ensure national programs drive the regional agendaEnsure national programs drive the regional agenda Be flexible to allow donors to support it within their mechanismsBe flexible to allow donors to support it within their mechanisms “10 wise people” to finalize concept paper (June)“10 wise people” to finalize concept paper (June) Paper presented to Ministers for approval (July)Paper presented to Ministers for approval (July) Country assessments to inform strategyCountry assessments to inform strategy Strategy to be presented to Ministers in 2006 meetingStrategy to be presented to Ministers in 2006 meeting

4. Regional Initiative for RHCS in West Africa Some Other Support KfW: 8 bilateral programs for social marketing; interest to develop regional project with WAHO.KfW: 8 bilateral programs for social marketing; interest to develop regional project with WAHO. UNFPA: Support for commodities and systems through thematic trust fund.UNFPA: Support for commodities and systems through thematic trust fund. USAID: Ongoing support for commodities, technical assistance and capacity building to WAHO, countries, and technical/management institutes.USAID: Ongoing support for commodities, technical assistance and capacity building to WAHO, countries, and technical/management institutes.