By Wezzie Gausi:
Chairpersons for parliamentary health and finance committees from Anglophone African countries have proposed tough measures against political leaders who continue seeking medical treatment outside Africa while failing to improve local healthcare systems.
The proposal came during the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Caucus held in Cape Town under the theme ‘Health Financing, Innovation and Parliamentary Accountability’.
The meeting brought together health and finance committee chairpersons, health technology experts and government representatives from across Anglophone Africa to discuss issues such as sustainable health financing, accountability and access to healthcare innovation.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the conference, Parliamentary Health Committee Chairperson Anthony Masamba said the proposal was intended to push political leaders to take responsibility for the state of healthcare systems in Africa.
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“It is unacceptable that political leaders continue to seek specialised treatment outside Africa while our hospitals remain underfunded and under-equipped. We must begin to hold political leaders accountable for failing to invest in healthcare systems that serve ordinary citizens,” Masamba said.
Masamba called on African governments to prioritise resource mobilisation for the health sector to reduce dependence on foreign aid and overseas medical treatment.
“Africa has the capacity to transform its health sector if governments commit adequate financing and embrace innovation. We need investment in modern medical technology, research, pharmaceutical production and digital health systems,” he said.
Health rights activist Maziko Matemba said African leaders must lead by example by trusting and investing in local healthcare systems.
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“We need serious commitment towards universal health coverage where every citizen can access quality healthcare regardless of their economic status. Political leaders must invest in health systems that work for everyone,” Matemba said.
