President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone has emphasized the crucial role of the Assembly of Health Ministers as a platform for decisive regional action. Represented by Chief Minister David Sengeh, President Bio, who also chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, spoke on Saturday at the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.
The high-level gathering convened Health Ministers from ECOWAS member states, alongside government officials, international partners, and health experts. The assembly was organized by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in conjunction with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health under the theme, “Advancing Malaria Elimination Through an Integrated Regional Strategy.” The objective was to bolster collective efforts against malaria, a significant public health challenge in the region.
President Bio asserted that healthcare delivery is a fundamental indicator of a government's commitment to its citizens. He urged for tangible, measurable outcomes and accelerated progress in transitioning from malaria control to its complete elimination. This, he stated, requires robust, data-driven, and innovative health systems. He then formally inaugurated the session.
In his address, Sierra Leone's Minister of Health and the event's chairman, Austin Demby, underscored the region's renewed political will to prioritize health in sustainable development initiatives. He stressed the urgent need to intensify malaria eradication efforts, noting recent setbacks in global progress since 2015, reductions in external funding, and the escalating impact of climate change on malaria transmission patterns.
Mr. Demby advocated for increased domestic financial investment, the promotion of innovation, and the transformation of health systems to be more resilient and responsive. The meeting aimed to solidify a coordinated approach to achieving malaria elimination throughout West Africa.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!