Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Africa and the Caribbean must strengthen their capacity to safeguard the health and well-being of their people, Vice President of Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party and Head of the Democratic System Building Center with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister, Adem Farah, urged.
The 2nd Africa–Caribbean Health Ministers’ Meeting is kicked off today in Addis Ababa under the theme “Forward Together: One Voice, One Future.”
Speaking at the occasion, he recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic reminded the world of a hard truth: it exposed the vulnerabilities of global systems and the risks associated with the unequal distribution of essential health supplies.
“The lesson is clear: Africa and the Caribbean must strengthen their capacity to safeguard the health and well-being of their people,” he underlined.
Stating that health sovereignty is essential from vaccine production to essential medicines, from resilient supply chains to regional manufacturing, Adem stressed.
“We must advance our shared commitment to self-reliance. Our people deserve timely access to the most basic human right—the right to health.”
Universal health coverage and the achievement of SDG 3 must be accelerated with urgency.
“We cannot build prosperous economies on the foundation of fragile health systems. By investing in primary health care, we create the strongest foundation of all,” he said.
He noted that prevention begins at the primary level, where trust is built and the promise of health for all becomes real not through speeches, but in the daily lives of people.
By empowering community health workers and harnessing digital and technological innovation, he explained, it is possible to deliver equitable, affordable, and quality health services to every citizen, not as charity, but as justice.
Adem also underlined that financing is central to this vision. Health is not simply an expense. It is the greatest investment a nation can make in its people, its productivity, its stability, and its future, he noted.
Therefore, he stated that we must mobilize domestic resources, develop innovative financing mechanisms, and continue to advocate for global fairness in development financing.
Finally, he underlined that Africa and the Caribbean, though least responsible for the climate crisis, are among the most affected.
“Together, we must lead the call for climate justice, urging that commitments made are matched with concrete action and resources.”
For More News And Analysis About Ethiopia Follow Africa-Press
