African Gov'ts asked to support health workforce

Jul 18, 2019

Over 100 health experts and African health leaders attending a three- day’s special consultation on governance for health in Africa at Speak Resort Munyonyo in Kampala are concerned that the delivery of health services on the continent was confronted with many challenges in the global environment.

KAMPALA - Health experts have suggested that skilled, motivated and supported health workforce must be a priority for African Governments to achieve for improved health service delivery.

Over 100 health experts and African health leaders attending a three- day's special consultation on governance for health in Africa at Speak Resort Munyonyo in Kampala are concerned that the delivery of health services on the continent was confronted with many challenges in the global environment.

The meeting convened by the African Platform on Human Resources for Health Systems Governance Network (ASHGOVNET) and the African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation (ACHEST) is discussing health governance on the continent in line with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prof. Francis Omaswa the chairman ASHGOVNET, notes that for Africa to transform, there is a need for continued improvement on the ability to govern health.

   irector health systems and services cluster orld ealth rganisation rosper umusiime rof redrick sempebwa ice resident dward sekandi and executive director frica for lobal ealth and ocial ransformation rancis maswa during the closure of the threeday special consultation (L-R) Director health systems and services cluster World Health Organisation Prosper Tumusiime, Prof Fredrick Ssempebwa, Vice President Edward Ssekandi and executive director Africa for Global Health and Social Transformation Francis Omaswa during the closure of the three-day special consultation

 


"We have continued to encounter challenges in our field though we have managed to move forward despite setbacks. We should all be very proud of where we are today and excited about where we are headed,'' he said.

Health leadership in different countries according to Omaswa should utilise the knowledge, skills, and expertise at hand in addressing the health challenges at hand.

However, health experts insist that Africa is presented with more opportunity than ever to deliver basic health services to her people. They argue this can only happen if African people themselves grasp this window of opportunity through several interventions to achieve Universal health coverage (Uhc) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to Prof. Khama Odera Rogo, a lead health sector Specialist with the World Bank, Africa must shift from waiting for solutions to its challenges, health inclusive, from elsewhere but unite to generate solutions themselves.

"You cannot convince me that we do not have finances, but the question is mismanagement and always anticipating solutions to our challenges from elsewhere," he said.

Rogo disclosed that it was a real challenge that most Africa countries that got independence with East Asian countries and with similar development indices were lagging behind including in the provision of health services.

The Prime Minister of Uganda congratulated ASHOVET at its 10th anniversary pledging Uganda's commitment to achieving the global health targets.

Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, the Vice President of Uganda, presided over at the closure of the conference on Wednesday afternoon.

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