Dear Neil,
THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN ACCESS FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WITHIN AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA) GLOBAL NETWORK
Access to reliable, up-to-date, and evidence-based information is vital for effective healthcare delivery and policy-making. For members of the Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) — a network of health, environment/climate/energy and sustainable development professionals and
stakeholders across Africa—Open Access (OA) is not just a convenience, but a lifesaving necessity. Open Access enables doctors, nurses, researchers, and community health workers to freely access the texts of the latest research, clinical guidelines, and innovations without financial or institutional barriers.
In many parts of Africa and the Global South, subscription-based journals are prohibitively expensive, limiting the ability of health workers to make informed, data-driven decisions. Open Access removes this barrier, allowing AHOA professionals to stay current on global best practices in disease prevention, maternal health, nutrition, climate-health linkages, health-related Sustainable Development Goals (health-SDGs), and pandemic responses.
By democratizing knowledge, OA empowers healthcare professionals to translate research into action, improving patient outcomes, enhancing local innovations, and informing effective policy. Ultimately, Open Access saves lives—as it will be ensuring that no African health worker or researcher is denied life-saving information simply because they cannot afford it.
Knowledge must be shared, not sold, if we are to achieve health equity and the SDGs.
*Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje*
*CEO and Perm. Rep. to the United Nations,*
*Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)** - CSOs Global Network and
Think-tank for Health, Climate Actions and Development (Winner of the SDG 3
– Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award). *
*<https://afrihealthcsos.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-ass...
<https://afrihealthcsos.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-ass...
*National Coordinator, *
*Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
(CSP-SDGs Nigeria)*
HIFA profile: Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a leading voice in health education, community health, and advocacy, with decades of experience advancing people-centered development across Africa and beyond. His approach to health education emphasizes participatory learning, knowledge transfer, and behavior change communication, ensuring that individuals and communities gain the skills and awareness to make informed decisions about their health. He develops and delivers innovative health promotion strategies tailored to local realities, particularly in resource-limited settings. In community health, Dr. Adirieje has championed integrated primary health care, preventive medicine, and grassroots health initiatives. Through Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), which he leads, he connects civil society, community groups, and health institutions to strengthen healthcare delivery, tackle health inequities, and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations. His work addresses infectious diseases, maternal and child health, nutrition, climate and health, environmental health, and emerging public health challenges. As a passionate advocate, Dr. Adirieje works with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to influence health policy, mobilize resources, and promote sustainable development goals (SDGs). He amplifies community voices, ensuring that health systems are inclusive, accountable, and responsive. His advocacy extends beyond health to governance, environment, and social justice, positioning him as a multidisciplinary leader shaping healthier and more equitable societies. afrepton AT gmail.com