African Development Bank outlines new health infrastructure strategy to Health Ministers in Economic Community of West African States.
ENPNewswire-November 26, 2021--African Development Bank outlines new health infrastructure strategy to Health Ministers in Economic Community of West African States
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Release date- 25112021 - African Development Bank Vice President Dr. Beth Dunford has outlined the details of a new strategy that seeks to boost access to health services across the continent.
Dunford delivered the message in a keynote speech at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States Assembly of Health Ministers in Abuja.
Opening the meeting on behalf of Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, the country's Health Minister Osagie Ehanire, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the fragility of health systems and infrastructure in the sub-region.
'The challenges posed by the pandemic have strengthened our collective resolve as a region to build back better, and part of our strategy is to work together as a regional bloc. It is in this regard that we appreciate and commend the support and leadership role of our development partners such as African Development Bank Group in the development of quality health infrastructure across the continent,' the Health Minister said.
Representing Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina at the event, Dunford explained that the strategy focuses on three categories: primary healthcare infrastructure for underserved populations; developing new secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities alongside specialist facilities for cancer diagnosis and treatment, dialysis and pain management; and building diagnostic infrastructure for efficient and effective disease diagnosis across Africa.
'COVID-19 is a wake-up call on the central role of health systems and infrastructure for inclusive economic growth,' said Dunford, Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. 'Developing quality health infrastructure is a triple imperative - health infrastructure is fundamental to public health, has significant economic impact, and is of strategic importance for governments,' she added.
Currently in the consultation phase, the strategy entails policy dialogue and technical assistance on effective...
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