title: Can free open access resources strengthen knowledge-based emerging public health priorities, policies and programs in Africa?
abstract: Tackling emerging epidemics and infectious diseases burden in Africa requires increasing unrestricted open access and free use or reuse of regional and global policies reforms as well as timely communication capabilities and strategies. Promoting, scaling up data and information sharing between African researchers and international partners are of vital importance in accelerating open access at no cost. Free Open Access (FOA) health data and information acceptability, uptake tactics and sustainable mechanisms are urgently needed. These are critical in establishing real time and effective knowledge or evidence-based translation, proven and validated approaches, strategies and tools to strengthen and revamp health systems.  As such, early and timely access to needed emerging public health information is meant to be instrumental and valuable for policy-makers, implementers, care providers, researchers, health-related institutions and stakeholders including populations when guiding health financing, and planning contextual programs.
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universite des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon; Africa Disease Intelligence and Surveillance, Communication and Response (Africa DISCoR) Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: Ernest
authors: E
authors: Tambo
authors: Africa Disease Intelligence and Surveillance, Communication and Response (Africa DISCoR) Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: Ghislaine
authors: G
authors: Madjou
authors: Africa Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Khayeka-Wandabwa
authors: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), College of Health Science, University of Ghana, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
authors: Emmanuel N
authors: EN
authors: Tekwu
authors: Department of Public Health, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria.
authors: Oluwasogo A
authors: OA
authors: Olalubi
authors: National Institute of Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Midzi
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, Volta Region, Ghana.
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Bengyella
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Kampala International University, Kansaga, Kampala, Uganda.
authors: Ahmed A
authors: AA
authors: Adedeji
authors: Service de Biochimie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: Jeanne Y
authors: JY
authors: Ngogang
keywords: Africa; Open access; evidence; free access; information; intervention; policy; program