African health ministers participating in a meeting of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa have adopted a new eight-year strategy to transform health security and emergency response in the region.
The Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2022-2030 was endorsed on Friday during the 72nd session of the Committee in Lomé, Togo.
The strategy, inspired by the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fragile health systems on the continent, aims to reduce the health and socio-economic impacts of public health emergencies.
“COVID-19 is a wake-up call for the African region to prioritise building resilient health systems capable of providing quality healthcare while coping with public health emergencies,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
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“There is a growing recognition of the mounting threat public health emergencies pose to global economies and societies, underlining the need for a One-Health approach and investing in prevention and preparedness. (The Pioneer)