Cairo, Egypt 1st August 2019- Under the theme of “Increased Domestic Financing for Universal Health Coverage and Health Security for All African Citizens- Including Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced persons”, the Ministerial Meeting of the Third Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Health, Population and Drug Control (STC-HPDC-3), opened on Thursday 1st August 2019; in Cairo, Egypt.

The Ministerial Meeting is being attended by Ministers in-charge of Health, Population and Drug Control in the AU Member States, partners, AU Organs such as the Pan African Parliament, the Regional Economic Communities, Pan-African and International Organizations working in the areas of concern.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Mrs. Amira Elfadil, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, noted that the 3rd STC theme echoes the aspirations of the continent.

“Africa is home to nearly a third of the world’s refugee and internally displaced persons. No population group of the continent should either be left behind or too difficult to reach, and it is for this reason that the theme of the STC, and the AU theme of the year shall be critical to our deliberations as we prepare for the International Conference on Population and Development Conference (ICPD@25) that shall take place in Nairobi, Kenya in November of this year,” she said.

She also gave prominence to the leadership role the African Union is playing to advocate for increased domestic funding, partnerships for health care and alignment of donor policies with national priorities - in line with the Agenda 2063. She gave the example of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty which was adopted by Heads of States and Governments during the 32nd Session in February 2019. She applauded Algeria, Rwanda and Saharawi who have already signed the Treaty documents. The Commissioner urged other governments to join in the ratification in support of the Commission as it works towards regulation of the pharmaceutical industry in Africa. Consequently, Madagascar signed the Treaty.

To ensure that the aspiration of the Agenda 2063 are accomplished, the Commissioner emphasized, on the need for a multi-sectorial approach and collaboration between various stakeholders including the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, international development partners, private sector and the civil society.

“As a Commission, we will continue to advocate and engage various stakeholders to promote the implementation of interventions and address the health challenges on the continent” she concluded.

H.E Dr. Hala Zaid, Minister of Health and Population from the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt recognized that human element is the health of each country, thus called on Member States to pull efforts for the achievement of Africa’s aspiration to attain a disease-burden decline. Dr. Zaid notified the delegates that the Arab Republic of Egypt is in the process of establishing continental centres which will offer trainings on how to develop and effectively implement national immunization strategies. She stated that the centres will be completed within the next two months and will aim towards raising immunization coverage at least by 10% every year in the Region.

“Given that some countries in Africa only have 26% of chance for vaccination, the centres will aim towards raising immunization coverage at least by 10% every year in the Region. The centres will be completed within the next two months,” she concluded.

H.E Alpha Wurie, Minister of Health of the Republic of Sierra Leone explained that in the next two years, the world is expected to experience a population growth of 2.2 billion - 50% of which will be in Africa. This, he cited, will lead to influx of youth and under-five. He urged Member States to think of ways to support the young and ensure they are strengthened to make a substantial impact in the Region. He concluded by encouraging Egypt to not only work towards increase in immunization but also increase in informed populations and domestic financing.

The Ministers will deliberate, in high level roundtable discussions, on a number of issues including: The AU Role in Achieving Universal Health Coverage; Africa and Post Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation Towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem; and Consensus Building of a Common Africa Position on Population Issues. The Ministers will also consider the Report of the Meeting of Experts of STC-HPDC held from 29-31 July 2019. In addition, STC-HPDC-3 Ministerial Session will adopt its report to be forwarded to the forthcoming Summit of the AU Assembly in 2020.

For media inquiry contact:

Ms. Afrah Thabit
Directorate of Information and Communication- African Union Commission-
Tell: +251911200922 E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org

Note to Editor:
Organized by the Department of AUC Social Affairs, the overall objective of the STC-HPDC-3 is to undertake in-depth discussion around increased domestic financing for universal health coverage and health security, including refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and often hard to reach population. Broad areas of deliberation will include, but will not be limited to, health systems strengthening mechanisms, human resources for health, and investment in treatment of drug dependence. This year’s edition of the STC-HPDC will also look into measures of diminishing the effects of forced displacement on refugees and internally displaced persons.

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