ORPE Human Rights Advocates programs and activities are centered on transformational public health and health equity initiative designed to restore human dignity for vulnerable populations across Africa. Grounded in a human-rights-based approach and aligned with WHO, USAID, Africa CDC, and UN development priorities, the initiative aims to strengthen primary health systems, expand equitable access to essential services, and address structural determinants of poor health outcomes.
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Africa continues to face a dual burden of infectious diseases and rapidly growing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), alongside persistent maternal and child health challenges, climate-related threats, and deep structural inequities. OHRA’s program advances integrated solutions that combine service delivery, community empowerment, capacity building, gender equity, and evidence-driven systems strengthening. Through coordinated partnerships at regional, national, and community levels, the initiative aims to reduce morbidity and mortality, expand universal health coverage (UHC), and empower communities to demand their health rights.

ORPE Human Rights Advocates is a faith-aligned, community-centered organization dedicated to advancing human dignity through health, education, and rights-based development. OHRA operates through a network of Community Action Centers (CACs), partnerships with ministries of health, traditional and faith institutions, youth associations, and civil society organizations.

OHRA’s mission is rooted in the belief that dignified life requires equitable access to health services, protection of human rights, and inclusive participation in decisions that affect community wellbeing. OHRA’s programming emphasizes justice, inclusion, accountability, and culturally grounded approaches to public health.

Across Africa, preventable illness and inequitable access to essential health services continue to undermine human dignity, economic development, and resilience.
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A. Communicable Disease Burden

• HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera remain leading causes of death.

• Limited laboratory capacity and weak community-based surveillance delay outbreak detection.

B. Growing Noncommunicable Diseases

• Hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer rates are rising quickly.

• Early detection and continuity of care remain inaccessible for rural and low-income populations.

C. Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH)

• High maternal and under-5 mortality persist across many countries.

• Lack of skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and prenatal follow-up contributes significantly to preventable deaths.

D. Climate & Environmental Health Threats

• Climate change drives increased vector-borne diseases, food insecurity, and water contamination.

• Mining, oil extraction, and poor waste management expose communities to toxic pollutants.

E. Structural Determinants of Health Inequity

• Poverty, gender inequality, rural marginalization, political instability, and cultural barriers deepen disparities.

• Rural communities suffer from poor infrastructure, weak supply chains, and limited water/sanitation.

 
These challenges require an integrated, equity-driven public health approach aligned with African Union frameworks, national health strategies, and community structures.

To restore human dignity and improve population wellbeing by strengthening public health systems, expanding equitable access to health services, and empowering communities across Africa to realize their health rights.

​Objectives:
1. Strengthen primary healthcare and frontline health workforce capacity

• In underserved regions

2. Improve equitable access to essential health services

• Including MNCH, communicable disease prevention, and NCD screening..

3. Enhance community surveillance, emergency preparedness, and epidemic response systems.​
4. Promote health literacy, behavioral change, and gender-responsive service delivery.​
5. Advance climate-resilient health services and WASH access.
6. Strengthen governance, community accountability, and partnerships across sectors and levels.
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If frontline health workers are trained and supported; and essential services reach underserved communities; and communities are empowered with knowledge, participation, and rights-based engagement; and surveillance, governance, and health system mechanisms are strengthened…

Then health outcomes will improve equitably, preventable deaths will decline, and communities will experience restored human dignity through improved agency, wellbeing, and access to essential care.

Because strengthened systems, empowered communities, and accessible services form the foundation for universal health coverage, resilience, and sustainable health equity.