Dr Nicaise Ndembi, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Public Health in Africa at Africa CDC, says Africa’s health crisis demands a departure from conventional approaches and a shift to innovative, people-centered solutions.
According to him, funding, governance, accountability, and workforce gaps have plagued Africa’s health systems for decades.
Ndembi spoke ahead of Africa Health Business Symposium 2023 (AHBS VIII), taking place on June 29 and June 30 in Johannesburg, South Africa, a statement by GHS said on Wednesday.
The theme for the AHBS VIII is: “The Role of the Private Sector in Africa’s New Public Health Order’’.
AHBS VIII brings together esteemed stakeholders from the health and business sectors.
They will discuss and explore the critical role of the private sector in bridging the private-public health gap, advancing public health, and reshaping Africa’s health systems.
AHBS VIII provides a platform for comprehensive deliberations on Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order, a bold and ambitious framework that urges greater investment in Africa’s health institutions, health workforce, and medical manufacturing capacity, while calling for respectful, action-oriented partnerships across the continent.
“Addressing Africa’s health crisis demands a departure from conventional approaches and a shift to innovative, people-centered solutions that address the funding, governance, accountability, and workforce gaps that have plagued our health systems for decades.
“These gaps have resulted in us shouldering 26 per cent of the global disease burden despite accounting for just 16 per cent of the world’s population.
“This symposium, therefore, will seek to rally stakeholders across sectors to implement the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and collectively chart a path towards resilient and self-sufficient health systems for Africa,” Ndembi said.
Also, said Dr Amit N. Thakker, Executive Chairman, Africa Health Business, emphasized that creating stronger linkages between the private, public sectors and stakeholders can help prevent and prepare for future epidemics.
“There is an urgent need for African countries to bolster their health systems through sustained investment in the entire health ecosystem.
“From investing in infrastructure and well-trained, equipped, and motivated health workers, to creating markets for diagnostics, vaccines and medicines produced on the continent.
“Creating stronger linkages between the private and public sectors, development partners, academic institutions and community-based organization can unlock the vast resources that Africa needs to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic and achieve health for all.”
Hon. Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, Minister of State for Health General Duties, Ministry of Health, Uganda, also commented.
“Africa, with its anticipated 14 percent share of global health business opportunities by 2030, could witness its health and wellbeing markets reach a value of US$259 billion in the next decade, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
“Governments and multilateral institutions can benefit from understanding how to better engage the private sector, given its significant contributions to health financing and delivery.
“These are the topics we will be exploring at the symposium, aiming to position our continent as an attractive investment destination rather than a perpetual aid recipient,’’ he said.
AHBS VIII is hosted by Africa Health Business and supported by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
It will feature interactive discussions, panel sessions, and networking opportunities that will facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches to enhance collaboration among key stakeholders within Africa’s health sector.
