The leadership of a number of health unions within the West African region, both anglophone and francophone, will join the meeting to discuss the theme in detail and their country specific situations regarding the pandemic. They will review the steps taken or steps they intend to take to better defend members rights and workplace safety.

The achievement of Sustainable Goal three (SDG 3) and Universal Health Coverage by the year 2030 makes it imperative for all nations to focus on the health for all agenda and improve health systems so that citizens can access quality health services.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the weak health systems across the globe and the unpreparedness of countries in dealing with public health emergencies. Health care workers have been challenged in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic amidst limited resources. Health workers have been infected and some have unfortunately lost their lives.

Health Sector Unions therefore have a great responsibility in understanding the dynamics of the impact of the pandemic in their countries and must develop steps to better defend members rights and fight for workplace safety. There is also the need for unions to build synergy of work for advocacy to increase funding of public health in their respect countries within the sub-region.