Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says Africa will not prosper unless the citizenry enjoys access to good quality healthcare services, hence the need to put in place robust, resilient and sustainable systems, built on a foundation of primary healthcare.
Speaking at the third Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia, she stated that in line with Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Namibia acknowledges the centrality of investing in robust, resilient and sustainable health systems, particularly for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response to protect lives, livelihoods and economies.
“Namibia has established a robust Community Health Workers Programme since 2012. This programme is funded by the government, with over 1 600 community healthcare workers (CHWs) currently on the government’s payroll. This initiative is in line with the African Union’s objective of reaching a total of 2 million CHWs,” stated Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
The annual CPHIA provides a unique African-led platform for leaders across the continent to reflect on lessons learned in health and science, and align on a way forward for creating more resilient health systems.
This year’s theme is ‘Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture’.
Expanding the horizons of the conference, CPHIA 2023 showcased how the continent is breaking down barriers, reaffirming Africa as a powerhouse in science and innovation, a generator of new knowledge and health products, as well as an exemplar of progress.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said because of the CHWs programme and other efforts, Namibia has achieved the 92-98-94 level on the UNAIDS cascade, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality associated with HIV/AIDS.
“Namibia is also committed to domestic financing, with the government providing funding for 85% of healthcare services in the country. Namibia has further successfully incorporated Covid-19 vaccines into its routine vaccination programme,” she noted.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added: “In taking cognizance of the interconnectedness between humans, animals and the environment, Namibia has embraced the One Health approach as a vehicle for public health safety and prevention of public health threats emanating from the shared environment”.
Namibia, with support from Africa CDC and other partners, is in the process of formalising the One Health Multi-sectoral Coordinating Mechanism through the development of a National One Health Strategy, in accordance with relevant national laws, which will pave the way for better-coordinated efforts in protecting human, animal and environmental health.
At the same event, medical professional Dr Esperance Luvindao stressed how Africa can work towards removing outdated health policies and regulations that are limiting the implementation of life-saving technologies.
“The urgent need for policy reform to accommodate digital health innovations is imperative,” she said.
Luvindao also highlighted the need for African governments to create health innovation managers/departments within their health ministries.
This, she believes, will prepare everyone for the emergence of Artificial Intelligence within the healthcare sector.
Additionally, she sees the need for capacity-building and the creation of an internationally-recognised body, which can oversee healthcare innovations.
Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema observed that this conference provided a good platform for African leaders to define common health problems affecting nations, including pandemic preparedness for the continent.
He said: “The need for a continental approach to public health has never been more important, particularly in disease control, prevention and detection. The interconnectedness of our world today means there are no territorial boundaries in health – like the Covid -19 pandemic showed us”.
Hichilema encouraged everyone to work collaboratively to focus on fostering equity and fairness in health outcomes for the continent, especially in areas of research and development, diagnostics and vaccines.
“Indeed, Africa today is also producing Covid-19 vaccines, underpinning the need for disease preparedness continentally, which is important in addressing our collective health security,” said the head of state.
Director general of Africa CDC Jean Kaseya said less than 10% of African countries are able to respond to a major outbreak with a skilled health workforce.
“Africa requires 6 000 field epidemiologists. Yet, we currently only have 1 900. Additionally, the continent needs 25 000 frontline epidemiologists, but we presently have just 5 000,” stated Kaseya.
He said Africa CDC has introduced numerous programmes and initiatives, such as the Africa Volunteers Health Corps, Kofi Annan and the Field Epidemiology Training Programme, to bridge this gap.
“The excessive dependence on imports for essential healthcare products is also a matter of grave concern. Less than 1% of vaccines, 5% of diagnostics and 30% of therapeutics used in Africa are currently manufactured in Africa. This imbalance underscores the urgent need to strengthen our medical manufacturing capabilities to enhance self-reliance and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions,” highlighted Kaseya.
He said Africa CDC is advocating for an ambitious agenda, which aims to ensure that by 2040, a minimum of 60% of vaccines and medicines used in Africa are manufactured within the continent.
Kaseya noted that it is essential to recognise that no single entity, whether a government agency, healthcare provider, NGO or academic institution can effectively address the diverse challenges in isolation.
“Collaboration is the key driver of progress and innovation in all human endeavours. The level of collaboration we have achieved is made possible by the support of our communities, member states, donors and diverse partners,” he outlined passionately.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na