Afrigather Brazzaville – African well being ministers and authorities representatives gathering in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in the present day kicked off the Seventy-fourth session of the World Well being Group (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, the continent’s flagship well being discussion board held yearly to debate and agree on measures to handle well being challenges and promote folks’s well-being.
The assembly, which takes place from 26–30 August 2024 in Congo’s capital metropolis, brings collectively well being ministers from the 47 nations of the WHO African Area to debate and approve regional insurance policies, and undertake key resolutions to information the Group’s work on the continent. Throughout this yr’s assembly, the ministers can even nominate a brand new Regional Director to succeed Dr Matshidiso Moeti, who’s ending her 10-year tenure on the helm.
“The Republic of the Congo is honoured to host this vital session of the World Well being Group’s Regional Committee for Africa,” stated H. E President Denis Sassou N’Guesso on the opening of the Regional Committee, stating that “well being is our best asset … WHO’s dedication to this noble trigger to make sure folks’s survival is a superb encouragement …”
“This assembly is being held at a decisive second for Africa. The continent is going through unprecedented challenges that require quick and concerted motion on our half,” stated Ambassador Minata Samaté Cessouma, African Union Commissioner for Well being, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Improvement.
Key agenda objects embody a concentrate on mitigating excessive charges of kid mortality and the necessity to urgently flip the tide on this important menace to Africa’s youngsters. Polio and cervical most cancers are two different well being challenges that may obtain particular consideration. For polio, the purpose is to bolster commitments and strategize to realize full eradication; for cervical most cancers, a particular facet occasion will spotlight the necessity to prioritize prevention by human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening.
WHO Director-Normal Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Member States for strengthening emergency preparedness and first well being care, negotiating a pandemic settlement and supporting the Funding Spherical to extend sustainable financing for WHO.
However the brand new mpox outbreaks confirmed why sustained dedication and funding was wanted to guard and promote public well being in Africa, Dr Tedros added.
“WHO is dedicated to working with African nations and companions to deliver the mpox outbreaks beneath management rapidly, and I’m assured we will,” Dr Tedros stated. “However the emergency highlights the weaknesses within the well being safety structure, in Africa and globally. That is why all Member States ought to actively have interaction in negotiations on the Pandemic Settlement and spend money on WHO and public well being, to guard folks in the present day and tomorrow.”
This week’s occasions can even present a platform to acknowledge the numerous progress made within the WHO African area, particularly the celebrated Transformation Agenda, pushed by Dr Moeti throughout her mandate as Regional Director. The area has additionally been declared free of untamed poliovirus, marking a historic public well being victory, whereas 19 African nations have efficiently eradicated a minimum of one uncared for tropical illness.
“By no means earlier than have governments and companions been so decided to make a greater impression – by supporting built-in approaches to addressing well being issues; specializing in folks; and decreasing the fragmentation that has restricted the outcomes of great well being investments,” stated Dr Moeti.
About 800 members are attending the occasion, together with representatives from United Nations businesses, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia and growth companions, both in-person or just about.
