Rwanda: African Health Ministers Commit to Multi-Disease Elimination
[New Times] African health ministers and health leaders have agreed to step up efforts to eliminate diseases across the continent, as countries seek to protect progress made in recent years amid funding gaps, weak health systems and insecurity.
African health ministers and leaders have pledged to intensify efforts to eradicate diseases throughout the continent, aiming to safeguard the progress made in recent years while addressing funding shortfalls, inadequate health systems, and insecurity. During a high-level ministerial side event held on August 26 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 76th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, 47 member states' health ministers and senior officials committed to the Addis Ababa Call to Action on Protecting and Accelerating Multi-Disease Elimination in Africa.
This call urges countries to assume greater responsibility for disease elimination, boost domestic health investments, and bolster health systems capable of handling multiple public health challenges. The progress includes leprosy nearing elimination in the region, Guinea worm disease eradication in 41 countries, and trachoma, river blindness, sleeping sickness elimination, as well as gold-tier status for Botswana in eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of sustained political commitment, strong health systems, and effective partnerships. However, the ministers warned of potential setbacks due to funding limitations, insufficient integration of disease programs into national health systems, weak diagnostic and data management capacity, and insecurity.
WHO pledged to provide technical assistance, foster partnerships, and monitor progress towards disease-elimination targets in collaboration with Member States, Africa CDC, and other partners. The discussions are part of broader deliberations at the WHO African Region's highest decision-making body, which is addressing policies and strategies for the continent's health agenda.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
