Communique of the 2nd African Federation of Public Health Association/3rd Society for Public Health Professionals of Nigeria Conference

Posted on: Wed 28-09-2016

Communique of the 2 African Federation of Public rd Health Associations (AFPHA)/ 3 Society for Public Health Professionals of Nigeria (SPHPN) Conference, 5th to 9th September, 2016 at The International. Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Public health professionals from across Africa gathered in Ibadan to discuss and plan for better public health practices in Africa under the theme "Public Health in. Africa and Sustainable Development Goals". The keynote address was delivered by the doyen of public health Prof Adetokunbo Lucas. Participants were drawn from African nations (Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Benin Republic, South. Sudan, etc.), the United Kingdom and Bangladesh.

The conference acknowledged efforts of governments across Africa in advancing the public health agenda; appreciated the strengths and assets of public health professionals and practices in. Africa; recognized the strength of young professionals in building sustainable public health practices in the present and in the future and reaffirmed the commitment of the Federation towards disease elimination and better health outcomes in Africa. AFPHA confirmed its willingness to partner with public and private sectors towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Conference deliberations identified the following challenges to public health practice on the continent and in Nigeria:

1. The current failure to achieve Universal Health. Coverage (UHC) threatens possible health for all and the sustainable development goals.

2. Increasing health and social challenges of internal displacement and forced migration.

3. Limited local investments in health research and innovation.

4. Suboptimal engagement of public health practitioners in regional policy formulation.

5. A wide variety of training programmes in public health exist but there are no uniform standards or competences for these training programmes.

We therefore call on the Nigerian and African governments to:

1. Ensure UHC by expanding health insurance schemes

2. Respond to challenges faced by displaced persons and call on the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria, to declare a state of emergency in the healthcare system in north east Nigeria. We pledge to respond accordingly by providing human resources for health and other support to mitigate the problems.

3. Expand opportunities for health. investment and capacity development of African health professionals.

4. Improve engagement of the various disciplinary public health societies and their members in the response to public health problems in the region.

5. Standardise training and competences for public health practice in Africa in partnership with academic and professional partners globally through strengthening north south and south south collaborations.

Dr M. Some President, AFPHA.

Prof. M.C. Asuzu President, AFPHA.

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