Curbing the triple threat in Africa's health systems: Redefining health governance, workforce, and financing
Welcome to this month's edition of the AHB Newsletter.
In this issue, we probe the critical issues impacting health systems across Africa, delving into what we refer to as the "Triple Threat to Africa's Health Systems".
Africa's health systems deal with many challenges, ranging from inadequate resources to brain drain of skilled professionals. The World Health Organization introduced a framework that identifies six health system building blocks. An analysis of these building blocks highlights the considerable gaps the health systems across Africa face.
Poor governance and human resource shortages have slowed-down the access to services in resource-limited settings, while dilapidated healthcare infrastructure has given rise to medical travel and a significant loss of economic resources and potential growth.
Financial barriers, high out-of-pocket expenses, and inadequate insurance systems leave the poorest populations burdened with crippling healthcare costs. Frequent healthcare worker strikes across the continent further complicate healthcare service delivery.
Nevertheless, where there are challenges there are opportunities and exploring these critical issues further is a vital step towards improving healthcare on the continent.
Possible Solutions:
Moreover, the creation of regional and national medical hubs, along with the production of medicines, vaccines, and therapeutics through intra-continental partnerships facilitated by initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM), serves to reduce the continent's dependence on foreign nations for medical treatments.
This strategic approach not only enhances access to cost-effective, high-quality healthcare but also fortifies African economies.
In an effort to stimulate impactful discussions and propel tangible actions to address the aforementioned challenges and others facing Africa's health systems, the Africa CDC initiated the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA), in 2021.
This year's edition will convene 4500 public health professionals to discuss how Africa is repositioning itself in the global health architecture.
Africa Health Business will be convening various in-person and virtual side sessions to unravel the above theme with a focus on women's health, supply chain, digital health, access to safe blood, and how partnerships can improve access to healthcare.
Get an opportunity to interact with top health system experts in Africa and beyond and weigh in on the conversation by registering to attend AHB official CPHIA side sessions outlined below.
AHB convened official side events at CPHIA 2023
Wednesday 22nd November 2023: 12.00PM - 2.00PM (CAT)
Advancing public health in Africa: Redefining blood transfusion therapy and Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) management through innovative red cell exchange technologies
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) affects 20-25 million people globally, 12-15 million of them living in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa carries the highest burden of SCD, with around 236,000 annual SCD births, 90% of them dying before five years.
This event will bring together prominent health leaders from the government, development partners, private sector, transfusion medicine and public health practitioners to explore how innovative red cell exchange technologies can redefine transfusion therapy and SCD management in Africa.
Wednesday 22nd November 2023: 3.00PM - 5.00PM (CAT)
Expanding manufacturing on the continent for effective public health response
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To strengthen health security in Africa, there must be an agenda to develop a sustainable, local manufacturing industry on the African continent. This will not only increase access to life-saving health products and reduce reliance on other regions, but also be a much- needed safety net when other health crises strike.
Through panel discussions and open forum sessions, the event will delve into practical and actionable strategies for scaling up manufacturing capacity within the continent. Participants will explore ways to harness cutting-edge technology, build local expertise, and foster partnerships.
Wednesday 23rd November 2023: 3.00PM - 5.00PM (CAT)
Empowering patients through digital health information for public health in Africa
African countries continue to face many challenges as they strive to ensure that health systems maintain essential health services as they respond to ongoing and emerging health threats. Many of these countries face challenges related to medication safety and pharmacovigilance.
This roundtable session will bring together experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and representatives from relevant organizations to engage in a constructive dialogue on these critical topics.
Monday 27th November 2023: 9.00AM - 11.00AM (CAT) - IN-PERSON
Action oriented respectful partnerships for public health in Africa: Partnerships for access to medicines
To achieve a new public health order for Africa, action oriented respectful partnerships are required between all actors in the health value chain – from the research and academia community to manufacturers of health products, supply chain actors, policy makers and healthcare professionals, across government, non- governmental organisations, development partners and the private sector.
Through panel and open forum discussions, this session aims to address the urgent need for cross-sector and cross-border collaborations in tackling the multifaceted challenges that impact public health in Africa.
Friday 24th November 2023: 12.00PM - 2.00PM (CAT)
The role of the private sector in advancing women's health in Africa
Awareness creation and developing a common understanding of challenges and solutions are key to the establishment of an enabling environment for women’s health in Africa.?
Coalition for Women's Health in Africa (COWHA) ?will be hosting a virtual side session on the sidelines of CPHIA 2023 discussing the role of the private sector in advancing women’s health in Africa. The session seeks to shed light on the importance of private sector involvement and its potential impact in women's health.
The session will also focus on generating tangible solutions to address challenges in private-public sector partnerships and come up with concrete ideas and solutions that can be implemented in real-life scenarios.?
Wednesday 23rd November 2023: 03.00PM - 05.00PM (CAT)
Enhancing Africa’s health security: Blood as a cornerstone for pandemic preparedness
At this years conference, the Coalition of Blood for Africa - CoBA will host a virtual side session to deliberate on a safer and more secure health landscape for Africa by securing the continents blood supply.
This session aims to highlight the critical significance of a well-organized blood supply system in addressing various health crises, including emergencies, anaemia, post-partum haemorrhage, cancer, trauma, and ultimately, fortifying the overall healthcare resilience of the African continent.
We look forward to interacting with you at the conference as we strive to break barriers and reposition Africa in the global health architecture.
If you're looking to collaborate on a project, contact us via: [email protected]
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Website: www.africahb.com | Email: [email protected]