Istanbul, 22nd July 2017- More than 700 international health experts from across 60 countries gathered in Turkey from 20 to 21 July for a scientific congress on health care in Africa. The meeting which was also attended by African ministers of health called for increased cooperation to implement Africa’s health policies, address challenges to universal health coverage and improve access to quality health care in Africa.
“This is now the time for more sustainable and predictable health sector financing models and partnerships. Together we can build resilient health systems, improve equitable access to health services and lay a solid foundation for Africa to tap into its demographic dividend to achieve the bold and ambitious aspirations of Agenda 2063’”said Her Excellency Amira El Fadil, the Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union.

While Africa is making significant progress in strengthening its health systems, the pace is not fast enough with the majority of countries on the continent having the worst indicators for maternal and child deaths. The triple burden of communicable, non-communicable diseases and injury and trauma has adversely affected Africa’s development.
The Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030) endorsed in Kigali in July 2016 seeks to consolidate the progress made in many African countries and achieve universal health coverage. To succeed on this agenda African countries will need to allocate more resources to strengthen health systems and address other human development factors outside the health sector. The key issues that the strategy highlights include social protection mechanisms, access to quality-assured and affordable essential health services, health financing and public private partnerships. Addressing human resources for health including increased health worker training, recruitment, deployment, regulation, support and retention are all critical issues that the health sectors in Africa have to address. Africa furthermore needs to improve the governance of the health sector, strengthen community health systems, information systems, decentralise service delivery and develop sustainable and evidence informed solutions for its health challenges. The continent through its Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is enhancing its emergency health preparedness and response systems and capabilities at national, regional and continental level.
The congress was organised by the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Health, Hayat Foundation, and Istanbul Medeniyet University. Established in 1981, the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations is a global organisation that seeks to provide an information sharing platform for member organisations and healthcare professionals from around the world.

For media inquiries:
Tawanda Chisango | Advocacy and Partnerships Expert | Department of Social Affairs | African Union Commission I E-mail: chisangot@african-union.org I Tel: +251934167052
More information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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