Africa-Press – Botswana. African countries have been advised to invest in health systems to protect their citizens and boost their economies.
Speaking during at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC)in Kigali, Rwanda recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshediso Moeti said health was a key determinant of national development and security.
Dr Moeti said health impacted other sectors such as education, economy and security, hence the critical need to invest in it.
She said COVID-19 had highlighted the need to build more resilient health services, as it caused a global economic crisis, with crippling consequences across all sectors of the society.
Dr Moeti said the pandemic affected education, businesses, social interaction and mental health.
She said it also revealed a strong connection between politics, political leaders and health outcomes, as the leadership in health ministries suddenly had an issue of reaching the highest political decision in their countries.
She said response to the pandemic saw many countries getting involved not only at national levels, but at continental and international levels.
Dr Moeti hailed African political leaders who came together when access to ‘certain tolls were being limited’.
She said their coming together created a platform that took decisions, actions that made some difference, adding that in working together they realised vulnerability and therefore were able to factor it further into planning for global conversations around pandemics.
She also highlighted that equity should move forward at all levels and across the continent, adding that it was important to obtain tailored approaches that were relevant for countries.
She stressed that good health was a vital component of human wellbeing and enabled communities to build satisfying and productive lives.She lamented that public health was still a challenge in many African countries, citing Non-Communicable Diseases and new HIV infections, calling for unity to solve some of those health problems.
Dr Moeti further said she was delighted that WHO placed women at the centre of health leadership to achieve universal health and inspired them to take high positions in its system.
Meanwhile, she said there was urgent need for Africa’s health agenda to prioritise climate action.
AHAIC was held under a theme: Resilient Health Systems for Africa; Re-envisioning the Future Now.
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