Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
AFRICAN countries have been challenged to work together in building resilient health systems in the face of emerging health pandemics.
This came out during the official opening of the International Conference on Public Health in Africa, in Lusaka, Zambia this Monday.
In his address at the official opening, guest of honour at the event, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema called on African Presidents to work together in combating diseases as they have no borders.
“If we work together we will achieve a lot, I think that is the cornerstone of this conference, to find ways to work together and fight diseases. This cannot be achieved in silos but through collaborative efforts,” he said.
Zimbabwean envoy to Zambia, Ambassador Charity Charamba, who is part of dignitaries attending conference, also stressed the importance of collaboration among African member countries, “If there is poor health delivery system in any one part of Africa, it will affect all of us so the moment we realise that, we collaborate as African countries to conduct research and address the common communicable diseases that affect us as Africans that would certainly go a long way in improving the health of our people.”
The four-day annual International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA) provides a unique African-led platform for leaders across the continent to reflect on lessons learnt in health and science, and align their efforts towards creating more resilient health systems.
