By William Kumwembe in Lusaka, Zambia:
Malawi is among African countries affirming commitment for enhanced public health sector financing to improve healthcare systems.
The vow came on the sidelines of a four-day third International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) which kicked off in Lusaka, Zambia, Monday.
Nations were challenged to work jointly towards addressing possible and emerging health threats facing the continent.
Speaking to journalists earlier, African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya said experiences from pandemics like Covid necessitate the urgent need for Africa countries to be systematic in threats’ preparedness.
Kaseya said enhanced domestic resource mobilisation and cementing existing relations with international organisations and other countries remains essential towards achieving the mark.
He then called for collaboration between public and private sector players in investing towards critical interventions and discovering remedies to health challenges African countries are facing.
“We need to facilitate dialogue between countries and communities to ensure that all of them have access to facilities when they need them,” he said.
In his comment during one of the side meetings, Ministry of Health Chief Health Promotion Officer Mavuto Thomas said Malawi remains committed to contributing towards bridging possible gaps in the health sector and working in partnership with other stakeholders.
“We are trying as a country to see that all necessary interventions are deployed and in ensuring that the health sector is well funded.
“We are aware that most of our health services are free of charge. The government is trying to ensure that we have quality services always and the necessary investments are made,” he said.
In 2001, Malawi, along with other African Union member states, signed the Abuja Declaration, consequently pledging to allocate at least 15 percent of their national budgets each year to improving their healthcare systems.
CPHIA is the second-largest health-related indaba and has brought together at least 5,000 delegates from health and other sectors from across Africa and beyond.
