By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, July 23, GNA – African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 at the close of the AU’s 25th Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra.
The two‑day summit also pledged to reduce preventable maternal deaths, combat communicable and non‑communicable diseases, and build resilient health systems across the continent.
In a communique adopted at the summit, dubbed the Accra Declaration, Heads of State endorsed the AU Roadmap to 2030 and beyond as Africa’s framework for strengthening health systems, sustaining the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, improving maternal and child health, and accelerating universal health coverage through sustainable domestic financing.
The leaders reaffirmed their vision under Agenda 2063 to build “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa” supported by equitable, resilient and accessible health systems capable of responding to current and emerging public health challenges.
They acknowledged Africa’s heavy burden of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, viral hepatitis, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, kidney disease and other non‑communicable diseases, alongside persistently high maternal and child mortality.
The declaration stressed the urgent need for stronger, sustainably financed health systems anchored on Primary Health Care to guarantee Universal Health Coverage and health security for all Africans.
It also recognised the disproportionate impact of conflicts, humanitarian crises and climate change on healthcare delivery.
The leaders agreed to integrate health services through country‑specific one‑stop‑shop approaches, promote disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, expand digital health systems, improve epidemic preparedness and surveillance, and invest more in research, innovation and community participation.
They reaffirmed their commitment to removing barriers to healthcare, particularly for women, children, adolescents, persons with disabilities, migrants, refugees and other vulnerable populations.
The declaration urged governments to invest in a well‑trained and motivated health workforce through increased domestic financing for education, recruitment, deployment, retention and improved remuneration, while ensuring community health workers are fully integrated into national systems.
The leaders pledged to accelerate regional manufacturing of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies through the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa and the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism, supported by the operationalisation of the African Medicines Agency.
They called on bilateral and multilateral partners, development finance institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector to align investments with the AU Roadmap and national priorities while supporting technology transfer and pharmaceutical production.
To ensure accountability, the African Union Commission, Africa Centre for Disease Control, African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the African Medicines Agency were tasked to establish a continental monitoring and reporting framework, including annual scorecards to assess Member States’ progress.
Member countries are expected to submit annual progress reports for peer review.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter:Â Linda Naa Deide AryeeteyÂ
[email protected]