ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- African health ministers, United Nations officials, and experts attending a high-level heath-themed meeting have called for a holistic approach to ensure better health outcomes in Africa.
The call was made during a ministerial meeting held on Aug. 8-9 at the African Union (AU) headquarters in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. It was held under the theme "Cultivating Wellness in Africa: Holistic Approaches to Health, Nutrition, Population, Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Education."
Addressing the meeting online on Friday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said the theme resonates with the many challenges facing the African continent, as reflected in the "4Cs" outlined: recovery from COVID-19, the impact of conflict and climate change, and the cost of food.
"Meeting all the challenges Africa faces demands an all-of-government and all-of-society approach. It demands strong institutions, including a strong African Medicines Agency (AMA)," Tedros said as he commended the operationalization of the AMA, which the WHO has been proud to support.
Noting the WHO's support to AU members in strengthening their national regulatory authorities, he said the WHO is also supporting and promoting research, licensing, and technology transfer for the national and regional production of essential health products across Africa.
According to the WHO chief, at least 40,000 people in Africa die each year from psychoactive drug use and related health conditions. He said the situation causes "significant health burdens," with Africa particularly vulnerable due to its young and growing population.
While access to quality medicines is critical to curing people, preventing disease and promoting health is another important aspect, he added.
Minata Samate Cessouma, AU commissioner for health, humanitarian affairs, and social development, emphasized the need to harness innovation in the health sector as a crucial impetus toward better healthcare and overall development in Africa.
She said the 55-member continental organization helps African countries embrace new technologies to improve health outcomes on the continent.
Tanzanian Minister of Health Ummy Mwalimu said the theme of the meeting underscores the multifaceted approaches that the AU and its members are mandated to adopt so as to improve the well-being of Africa's populace. "Holistic health is more than the absence of disease; it is about ensuring that every African lives a healthy and productive life. This encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being."
Mwalimu said Africa's approach to health needs to be inclusive, addressing not only medical care but also the social factors that contribute to attaining good health. She said the AU's 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063, provides a strategic framework to guide the continent's efforts toward a prosperous and healthy Africa. ■