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Health conference to consider 106.8-mln-USD strategy to tackle health emergencies in Africa

Xinhua, August 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

African health ministers, who are attending a WHO conference in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, are expected to consider a 106.8 million U.S. dollars strategy to tackle disease outbreaks and public health emergencies on the continent.

In devising a comprehensive strategy, WHO's Africa Regional Office mapped out 1,779 epidemics and outbreaks and catalogued more than 100 annual public health emergencies in member states, said a WHO statement released in connection with the meeting in Addis.

At the 66th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa which kicked off Friday, the health ministers will also decide on a number of policy commitments in the Regional Strategy for Health security and emergencies 2016-2020, said the statement.

One of the strategy's most significant commitments, in direct response to the many outbreaks seen across the continent, is that by 2018, at least 80 percent of the 47 countries will have tested and funded all-hazards preparedness plans, conducted outbreak and disaster risk analyses and mapping, and implemented policies and guidelines to support International Health Regulations and Disaster Risk Management implementation.

"In our globalized world, diseases know no boundaries. We need stronger collaboration to protect national, regional and global health security," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

"The implementation of the regional strategy for health security and emergencies would strengthen the capacity of countries in the Region to prepare for, prevent, detect, respond to and quickly recover from emergencies in a predictable, dependable and accountable way," said Moeti.

At the meeting that will review modalities of contributing to and managing the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF), Moeti is expected to advocate for renewed commitment from member states to sustaining the Fund.

It is notable that with the frequent emergencies in the region, the needs for assistance continue to increase, said the statement.

Recently, APHEF resources have funded vaccination campaigns to contain the current outbreaks of yellow fever, and established emergency treatment centers to manage cholera in drought-stricken southern Africa.

The Regional Strategy would establish a target that by 2020, at least 80 percent of member states should have a fully functioning public health emergency operation centre and a functional national laboratory system and network that meets minimum standards.

In line with the guiding principles of the Regional Strategy, WHO and partners will work in strong collaboration and multisectoral engagement to prevent, contain and control emergencies in the Region. Endit