Preamble
The right to health is one of the fundamental human rights. Each individual everywhere in the world aspires to live in good health and no one can prevent him/her from having access to healthcare.
Healthcare in a region is linked to the level of development of the region. Hence the more one is poor; the less one has the chances of benefiting from quality healthcare.
Health needs differ from one region to the other and from one population to the other. Culture, environment, beliefs are some of the factors that influence healthcare needs.
Africa is a less developed continent where the majority of the population lives below the acceptable poverty line. Access to a minimum healthcare is thus a veritable luxury to many in Africa .
Solutions have often been proposed to ameliorate health coverage of the population but these solutions often prove unworkable notably because the people concerned have not been involved in determining these solutions.
African leaders faced with the fullness of the task and with the multiple battlefronts imposed on them by development imperatives, are not able to satisfy the health needs of their population.
The reflections and studies carried out to ameliorate the health of African populations have always undoubtedly highlighted three necessities:
• The involvement of the population in the definition of their real health needs with a view to appropriate solutions.
• The putting in place of a viable health system notably at the local level.
• Resorting to one of the fundamental values of African peoples: solidarity.
These necessities constitute the guiding principle of this constitution.
CHAPTHER I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
2007
In the course of several official meetings, African experts have often pondered on concrete solutions for achieving better healthcare for local African communities.
This is why in a recent international conference held in Addis Ababa November 2006, African experts met in a “special session” grouping individuals from several counties and decided to create an International Forum for Community Health in Africa .
Article1: Nature A global network of autonomous actors is hereby created by the undersigned persons. It is social and humanitarian in nature with the aim to support the development of African communities. It shall be managed within the framework of the laws on international associations.
Article 2: Name
The network shall be known and called “The International Forum for Community Health in Africa ” abbreviated (IFCHA) in English and as (Forum International pour la Sante Communautaire en Afrique” abbreviated as (FISCA) in French.
Article 3: Objectives The objectives of IFCHA are the following:
• Inform and educate local partners and the population about the prerequisites for viable local systems.
• Assist communities in the identification of the defects of their health structures in order that corrective measures can be put in place to ensure better community health.
• Collaborate with community groups/associations with a view to sustainable health development by:
+ Improving community healthcare in local health centers and hospitals.
+ Intensifying the fight against diseases, notably HIV/AIDS.
+Ensuring that data and information are collected.
Collaborate with local councils, community health associations and health committees with a view to promote community development activities.
Generally to participate in the fight against the health crisis in Africa and in the fight for the development of the continent.
Article 4: Headquarters The Headquarters shall be at the International Dialogue Centre at Mahele – Kribi in Cameroon . However the headquarters can be transferred to any other place by virtue of a decision of an extra ordinary general meeting.
Article 5: Activities
In order to achieve its objectives, the IFCHA proposes to carry out among others the following activities:
• Assist in the resource moblisation (human, material and financial) locally, nationally and internationally for the benefit of the local communities, health districts or municipalities in order to carry out concrete actions on the field.
• Contribute as experts, promoters/investors within the framework of local, national and international networks with a view to helping the population to enjoy better health.
• Establish a bridge between the different members of the Forum, the African Diaspora in order to create a synergy, which would accelerate overcoming the persistent health crisis.
• Work for the creation of a system of emulation and competition between health districts at the local, national and international level.
Article 6: Duration
IFCHA shall have an unlimited duration.
CHAPTER II: MEMBERSHIP
Article 7: Profile of members:
Section I: Membership to the Forum is open to the following categories of members:
• Local communities in African countries that wish to accelerate achieving a better health status.
• Groups of experts, promoters/investors having the appropriate competence for the exchange of information s and experiences in the health and development domains.
• Groups formed by the African Diaspora in the different continents.
• Personalities admitted as members with particular status.
Section 2: Groups wishing to apply for membership must respect the following criteria:
• Be legally constituted in conformity with the laws of their country of origin.
• Adhere to the ideals of IFCHA particularly pledging to work for better healthcare and development in African communities.
• Be constituted of persons of good morality.
Article 8: Conditions for Admission
• The group applies for membership through the Executive Secretariat of the Forum.
• The applicant group must meet up with the criteria presented in Article 7 above.
• The applicant group must pay its membership fee whose amount is fixed by the Internal Regulations of the Forum.
• The applicant group must commit to itself in writing to respect the present constitution.
Article 9: Advantages and Obligations of IFCHA
The members of the forum are expected to make available the following information:
• Local Communities: An annual report clearly indicating actions carried out, objectives achieved and the perspectives for the next year.
• Experts, Promoter/Investors: A trimestrial report indicating activities in support of community members and local health districts. This report will specify the zones covered and the participating collaborator.
• Groups constituted by the African Diaspora: A periodic report showing the support and aid given as well as those envisaged for the future.
The IFCHA commits itself to undertake the following:
• A trimestrial Information Letter and a copy of the annual review “Health of African Communities” in English and in French.
• Reports of activities, management and evaluation of member groups, which will be published in monthly or bi-monthly bulletins as the need arises.
Article 10: Special Membership Status
Section 1: The status of Founding Member shall be attributed to groups as defined in Article 6 above, who will have contributed in an exceptional manner to the initial capital of the Forum.
Section 2: The title of Sponsoring Institution shall be attributed to organizations, groups, associations etc, who would have contributed in an exceptional manner in the setting up and the continuing functioning of the Forum.
Section 3: The title of Sponsor will be attributed to eminent personalities who would have voluntarily given their moral, material, financial or other support to the activities of the Forum.
Section 4: The title of Ambassador of Goodwill would be attributed to eminent personalities who agree to promote the goals and objectives of the Forum.
Article 11: Loss of Membership Status
Will cease to be part of IFCHA:
• Any group of members that hand in its resignation letter to the Executive Secretariat of the Forum.
• Any group of members whose attitude or acts are judged contrary to the spirit of the present constitution.
• Any group dissolved by decision of its members.
CHAPTHER III: ORGANS OF THE FORUM
Article 12:
The following organs shall be put in place to manage the activities of the Forum:
• At the International Level
- The General Assembly
- The Board of Governors
- The Executive Secretariat
• At the National Level
- IFCHA Branches
- A Committee of Advisers made up of Sponsor Institutions and Members with Special Status
Article 13: The General Assembly
It is the supreme organ of the forum.
Section 1: Its Functions • Defines the major orientations of the Forum
• Puts in place the Forum's Internal Regulations and oversees its application
• Appoints /designates members to the Board of Governors
• Appoints members to the Executive Secretariat
• Evaluates the activities of the different organs of the Forum
• Approves the budgets of the Board of Governors and of the Executive Secretariat
• Resolves at the last resort all pending problems and matters.
Section 2: Its Composition
The General Assembly of the Forum shall be composed as follows:
• The Board of Governors
• The Executive Secretariat
• The Members of the National Council of Local Coordinators
• The Branch Representatives of IFCHA
• The Special Status Members (without voting rights)
• The members invited by the Board of Governors.
Section 3: Its Meetings
The General Assembly of IFCHA meets virtually every year by means of the New Information and Communication Technology (NICT). It shall meet physically every three years at its headquarters.
The dates of its meetings are predetermined and confirmed latest three months before its holding by the Board of Governors.
Section 4: Its Head
The General Assembly of the Forum appoints a President and five Vice-Presidents to run its affairs for a period of three years renewable once. The modalities of appointments of its members are defined by the Internal Regulations of the Forum.
Article 14: The Board of Governors
Section 1: Its Functions
• Supervises and controls the activities of the Forum in conformity with the orientations of the General Assembly
• Evaluates the work of the Executive Secretariat
• Makes recommendations to the General Assembly on the good functioning of the Forum.
Section 2: Its Composition
Composed of thirty members appointed by the General Assembly according to the following representation:
• 5 seats for the Ministries of Health
• 10 seats for the National Coordinators
• 5 seats for the Sponsors
• 5 seats for the Members with Special Status
• 5 seats for Inter-African Organisations.
Section 3: Its Meetings
The Board of Governors meets physically once a year in a country, which has IFCHA Branches. Hold virtual meetings once per trimester.
Section 4: Its Head
The Board of Governors appoints for each of its meetings a moderator to conduct its deliberations. The modalities of appointment are defined by the Internal Regulations.
Article 15: The Executive Secretariat It is the daily administrative organ of the Forum.
Section 1: Its Functions
• Ensures the administrative and financial management of the Forum
• Ensures the holding of all General Assembly and Board of Governors meetings
• Ensures the collection and exchange of information between the different parties/actors
• Make available support to the branches
• Evaluates the impact of IFCHA actions on the communities in the domains of health and development
• Ensures cooperation with active sponsors at the international level.
Section 2: Its Composition
Is composed of the following members:
• An Executive Secretary
• An Assistant Executive Secretary
• A Finance Officer
• A Technical Officer
• And support personnel.
Article 16: The Council of Branch Coordinators
It brings together IFCHA Branch Coordinators within a country.
Section 1: Its Role
• Enables different branches of a country to exchange information and experiences, which permits them to be more efficient in their actions.
• Ensures cooperation with active sponsors at the national level
• Serves as a framework for the preparation for the participation of IFCHA Branches to the General Assembly of the Forum.
• Manages conflicts between national branches.
Section 2: Its Meetings
It holds virtually once per trimester and physically once per year. One of the Coordinators is chosen as moderator of each of the council's meetings.
Article 17: IFCHA Branches These are based in communities and constitute the basic structures of the Forum. They implement the goals and objectives of IFCHA on the field.
The IFCHA Branches are composed of persons of good will and morals that pledge to help communities to define and express their health needs and help them find practical solutions through the solidarity network of the Forum.
An IFCHA Branch may have a maximum of 50 members and a minimum of 10 members.
How IFCHA branches are created as well as conditions for membership are defined in the Internal Regulations.
CHAPTER IV: RESOURCES
Article 18: Nature of Resources
- The resources of the Forum are:
- Registration and membership dues
- Contributions from IFCHA partners
- Gifts from persons of goodwill
- Revenue generating IFCHA activities
- Revenue accrueing from IFCHA properties
Article 19: Use of Resources The resources of the Forum are meant for:
• The financing of its actions towards the beneficiary communities
• Ensures its running expenses.
CHAPTER V: AMENDMENT AND DISSOLUTION
Article 20: Amendment of the Constitution
The constitution can only be amended during an Extraordinary General Assembly proposed by the Board of Governors or by a 2/3 majority of members of the General Assembly.
Article 21: Dissolution
The Forum may be dissolved during an Extraordinary General Assembly proposed by the Board of Governors or by a 2/3 majority of members. |
