Public consultations are crucial for several reasons: - Community Engagement: They foster trust and cooperation between health authorities and the community. - Informed Decision-Making: They provide valuable insights that can improve the relevance and effectiveness of health interventions. - Transparency: They enhance the legitimacy of public health policies by making the decision-making process more transparent. - Resource Allocation: They help in prioritizing health issues that are most important to the community, ensuring efficient use of resources.