AIR | POLLUTION | AHAIC

KIGALI - As part of efforts to reduce air pollution, which is a major factor in climate change, hundreds of participants for the African Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) have joined the people of Rwanda to participate in Kigali Car Free Day.

The conference kicked off Sunday with a wogging which coincided with the Kigali Car Free Day, which takes place every first and third Sunday of the month as part of efforts to make Kigali a green city and strengthen efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Dr. Patrick Kagurusi, Country Manager Amref Health Africa–Uganda participates in aerobics (C) with delegates during the Kigali Car Free Day. (All Photos by Violet Nabatanzi)

The biennial conference is jointly convened by Amref Health Africa, the ministry of health Rwanda, the African Union and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).  

Dr Patrick Kagurusi, the country manager Amref Health Africa – Uganda, said the wogging was aimed at raising awareness on the impact of climate change on health in Africa and how these impacts can be mitigated.

Dr Adelheid Onyango Director of the Universal Health Coverage/ Healthier Populations World Health Organisation (in pink tracksuit), Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Amref Health Africa and Rwanda’s minister of state for health Dr Yvan Butera and other delegates participate in a marathon during Kigali Car Free Day.

‘’Rwanda has set an example, leave cars home, that is to cut pollution, clean air, do exercise and fight obesity and NCDs, and get regular health check-ups, just as the wogging did. This practice should be expanded in the whole of Africa to promote healthy living,’’ Kagurusi said.

Rwanda's minister of state for health Dr Yvan Butera said they usually do sports exercises on this day and running is part of their culture. Butera added that the theme of the conference theme is in alignment with what they do in their country.

Dr Githinji Gitahi, the group chief executive officer, Amref Health Africa, is optimistic that the conference will put climate change and health at the centre which is aligned with World Health Organisation (WHO) strategies. 

The Conference has attracted Africa’s top leaders, political figures, innovators, researchers, policymakers, health workers and youth, among others to dialogue on the most pressing health challenges affecting the continent. 

This year’s theme is 'Resilient Health Systems for Africa: Re-envisioning the Future Now'.