WHO Africa Hosts Inaugural Africa Health Forum in Rwanda

Ebere Nwoji

The World Health Organsation (WHO’s) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), is convening a meeting of global leaders and thinkers to explore Africa’s healthcare priorities and challenges and find new ways to achieve better health for all in the continent.

The Africa Health Forum, holding for the first time, will take place in Kigali, Rwanda between June 27 and 28, 2017.
The forum, which has the theme ‘Putting People First: The Road to Universal Health Coverage in Africa’, will provide a platform to forge new partnerships for delivering Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a mechanism for improving access to quality, affordable healthcare for all, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A statement made available to THISDAY by Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the forum, would provide a unique opportunity for its partners. “Health is at the heart of the SDGs, and is critical for better quality of life.”

He said the WHO AFRO, is committed to working with countries and partners to attain the highest possible level of health for Africa’s people. “This forum will help pave the way to attain UHC across the continent. We are convinced that together, we can do more to save lives and achieve a prosperous and sustainable future for all,” Moeti said.

According to him, the forum, will witness experts from a wide range of backgrounds speaking on relevant health issues, including academics, government representatives, the private sector and youth organisations. He said topics to be covered at the two-day event will include health financing; health security; health research, innovation and data, UHC and the private sector in Africa. He said issues on old enemies such as HIV and the rise of new threats such as non-communicable diseases will be discussed. Moeti, also said there would be special sessions on e-health in Africa and the health of young people in the healthcare debate.