- Excellencies,
-
Ladies and gentlemen,
Making national health systems effective and capable of meeting adequately the needs of the populations is not only a major challenge, but also an absolute necessity for achieving the health Millennium Development Goals. I am glad to note that the deliberations at this meeting cover this important subject.
WHO is willing to revitalize the Primary Health Care principles in order to better assist countries in strengthening health systems capacities to deliver quality health care at the local/district level. We should together with other health partners and under the leadership of the Ministers of Health, bring resources (human, financial and technology) down to the local level facilities to improve the performance of health care delivery services and maximize health outcomes.
In this vein, we intend to organize in the AFR region, in 2008 an International Conference on Health Systems and Primary Health Care. It would be an opportunity to take stock of primary health care experiences in the Region. I know I can count on your support and contributions to make the Conference a landmark in the quest of more appropriate and lasting solutions for national health systems.
Promoting research that would enhance understanding of the factors hampering progress in health or factors underlying the success of public health programmes is a clearly identified priority. We all admit that a decision based on reliable evidence is more likely to meet the health needs of people. The grim reality, however, is that research continues to receive low priority in Ministries of Health. That is why I am urging countries to continue their efforts to develop cohesive and proactive health research policies, creating research capacity, and defining national health research agenda that are relevant to health development process.
The global conference on health research, to be held in Mali in 2008, will give Africa the opportunity to take stock of the progress made and hopefully to debate on major future actions.
Now, speaking about PARTNERSHIPS, I believe that:
Strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships is a pre-requisite for harmonizing the support to countries; and facilitate the leadership role of Governments in scaling up priority health interventions targeted at achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Pursuing efforts to strengthen and expand health partnerships in Africa is a linchpin of WHO strategy.
Recently, the African regional Directors of UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO together with the Representatives of the World Bank and the African Development Bank met in Dakar to discuss how best to coordinate their efforts in supporting the health sector in Member-States. We decided to improve coordination at regional and country level.
We also agreed to continue working with the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to strengthen partnerships and collaboration under a common framework. In this context the WHO Regional Office for Africa was designated to provide leadership in coordinating health policy dialogue.
I undertake to do my best to ensure that these common endeavours are translated into concrete action. I count on your usual support.
- Excellencies,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me on this occasion recognize the excellent support we have been receiving from His Excellency Professor Alpha Omar Konare – Chairmen of the African Commission. Since the inception of my tenure of office you have been readily available to provide us with political guidance, which has inspired the development of recent health strategies. I still remember your personal involvement in launching a very important initiative to accelerate the efforts to prevent HIV infections in Africa. You accepted WHO in the African region to provide technical support to the African Union. It is my sincere hope that we will further consolidate this relationship. Through the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs we made progress in our collaboration and we look forward to ultimately finding ways and means to implement our joint strategies. I pledge my relentless commitment to consolidating this achievement.
- Excellencies and Distinguished Guests:
I am happy to mention that an African from Ghana, Dr A. Asamoah-Baah, was appointed to the position of Deputy Director-General of WHO. This appointment speaks volumes. It illustrates the WHO Director-General’s commitment to making Africa a priority.
Together with her commitment to improve the health of Africans and the Health of women, in particular; we are called upon for a collective response and solidarity to translate this pledge into concrete actions leading to improved health status of people especially the most vulnerable, poor and marginalized.
Finally, on behalf of the Director-General and on my own behalf, I would like first to thank the Government and people of South Africa for their warm hospitality. I want also on behalf of WHO to express good wishes and quick recovery to Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang – The Minister of Health of South Africa. I thank the African Union for the opportunity it has given to the World Health Organization to participate in this important conference that is opening today.
I wish you every success in your deliberations.
Thank you