The Regional Health Governance Study (RHGS) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the CIHR Catalyst Grant: Partnering for Impact, funded by the Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH). This grant supports co-produced research and knowledge mobilization activities that are positioned for real-world implementation and impact.
About the Project
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health threats of our time, projected to cause up to 10 million deaths annually if left unaddressed. In West Africa, AMR continues to weaken fragile health systems and deepen health inequities across 15 Member States. Despite the Africa CDC’s 2020–2025 AMR Framework calling for coordinated regional action, governance gaps, fragmented monitoring, and the absence of an operational Community of Practice have slowed meaningful progress on the ground.
This project directly responds to these challenges through a tripartite co-leadership model involving the Africa CDC West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (Principal Knowledge User), Sociocapital (Knowledge User), and the RHGS at Toronto Metropolitan University (Academic Partner).
What We Will Do
The project unfolds across three phases:
Phase 1 | Policy & Practice Review (May – Aug 2026) A comprehensive literature review and environmental scan mapping national AMR policies, governance frameworks, stakeholder networks, and implementation gaps across West Africa and the broader African continent.
Phase 2 | Virtual Consultations (Aug – Sept 2026) Online focus groups and key informant interviews with national AMR focal points, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations to identify barriers, enablers, and shared priorities for regional AMR policy action.
Phase 3 | In-Person Convening in Abuja, Nigeria (October 2026) A three-day in-person workshop bringing together thought leaders and delegates from all 15 West African Member States to validate findings and officially launch a regional Community of Practice (CoP) on AMR policy consultation and implementation.
Throughout all phases, the project will embed knowledge mobilization activities including policy briefs, radio programming, multilingual digital content, and peer-reviewed publications — ensuring findings reach policymakers, practitioners, and communities across the region.
Project Leadership
This project is co-led by:
- Dr. Kokou Alinon — Regional Director, West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, Africa CDC (Principal Knowledge User)
- Dr. Victor Igharo — Principal, Sociocapital (Knowledge User)
- Dr. Uchechukwu Ngwaba — Nominated Principal Investigator, RHGS, Toronto Metropolitan University (Academic Partner)
The broader project team includes researchers and experts from Toronto Metropolitan University, University of British Columbia, York University, University of Toronto, and the University of Massachusetts (Boston), spanning disciplines including global health law, epidemiology, midwifery, AI governance, public health policy, and implementation science.
Why This Matters
This award reflects RHGS’s sustained commitment to advancing equitable, evidence-informed, and community-anchored global health governance. It operationalizes two key recommendations from the 2025 CAHS/RSC Report Renewing Canada’s Role in Global Health:
- Advancing One Health Security through Sustainability and Equity
- Bolstering Research and Innovation Systems for Global Health
By centering co-production, linguistic inclusivity, and gender-responsive approaches throughout, this project ensures that AMR policy recommendations are developed with — not for — the communities and institutions they are designed to serve.
Partner Organizations
- Africa CDC, West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre
- Sociocapital (Canada) Inc.
- Lincoln Alexander School of Law, Toronto Metropolitan University
For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact RHGS Project Lead Dr. Uche Ngwaba at uche.ngwaba@torontomu.ca
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