JOINT PRESS RELEASE

AUC and AMREF Call for Partnerships in Support of Sustainable Health Development in Africa

Addis Ababa, 02 October 2013. The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) held a reception ceremony on the achievements of health care in Africa. The event, which took place on 02 October 2013, at the AUC was part of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU as well as a series of awareness raising meetings of AMREF to deliberate on strategies for improving the health of Africans.

“The people of Africa are taking full responsibility for their own development, and the African continent is more than aware of the importance of prioritizing health and medical development”. This was the message by the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, AUC, H.E. Dr. Elham M. Ibrahim. Expressing gratitude to AMREF and other organizations similarly committed to the growing development of healthcare in Africa, she stressed the relevance and suitability of the theme, ‘Celebrating Achievements in Health Care in Africa’.

Dr. Elham underscored the Commission’s commitment to faithfully support all partners in this worthy cause of improving Africa’s health care, and stated the importance of both parties working together towards this goal.

Since its establishment, AMREF has worked with the Commission to reach out to communities across Africa with the aim of providing sustainable solutions to their health needs, said Dr. Teguest Guerma, AMREF Director General. “In our 56 years of existence our programmes have reached millions of people in communities across Africa with health service, knowledge and skills. We have trained thousands of health workers and worked with governments to build capacities of their institutions and staff,” she added.

AMREF’s stand up for African Mothers Campaign and AU’s Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) are aimed at easing the burden of maternal mortality in Africa. Most African countries are still lagging behind in meeting the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health and these campaigns seek to address this situation.

AUC and AMREF therefore called upon all partners to work together and ensure increased investment into health care development in Africa. The role of civil society organizations (CSO) cannot be overlooked. CSOs are a key partner in curbing communicable and non- communicable diseases by their contributions in strengthening health systems and working with governments to improve provision of health services.

To learn more visit;
www.au.int;
www.amref.org