PR Times Africa

Day: December 4, 2023

  • First Regional Rehabilitation Meeting for Africa: Advancing Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology in the Africa Region.

    First Regional Rehabilitation Meeting for Africa: Advancing Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology in the Africa Region
    Hosted by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, the meeting brought together leaders from ministries of health and healthcare professionals from nineteen African nations
    ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, December 2, 2023/ — The first Regional Rehabilitation Meeting for Africa took place from November 21st to November 23rd, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hosted by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, the meeting brought together leaders from ministries of health and healthcare professionals from nineteen African nations. Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa regional office, with the support of the WHO Ethiopia Country Office, the event aimed to provide an overview of the current status of rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT) within health systems in Africa, and to identify concrete actions to advance the rehabilitation and AT agenda in the Africa Region.

    Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in enhancing everyday functioning and reducing disability by providing rehabilitation services and assistive products that improve independence and well-being. Access to rehabilitation and assistive products is vital for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), especially considering the growing need for rehabilitation in the Africa Region due to factors such as the increasing incidence of injuries, stroke, the survival of people living with the consequences of injuries, and the aging population.

    Despite the importance of rehabilitation services, access remains inadequate in the African region. The regional rehabilitation meeting provided a platform for representatives from various countries, international organizations, and development partners to discuss and strengthen rehabilitation and assistive technology efforts in Africa. The meeting covered topics such as strategic planning, workforce development, integration into health information systems, governance, financing arrangements, measurement of rehabilitation outcomes, and the inclusion of rehabilitation in health benefit packages.

    Presentations from different countries highlighted country-specific experiences and lessons learned, while panel discussions explored the roles of key stakeholders in implementing rehabilitation strategic plans. Small group discussions allowed participants to identify priorities, needs, and challenges for strengthening rehabilitation in African countries. The meeting also emphasized the importance of harmonizing rehabilitation and AT strengthening, workforce development, and integration into primary healthcare systems.

    Rehabilitation in emergency preparedness and response was another critical area of discussion, with each sub-region identifying country action priorities. The meeting concluded with reflections on the discussions held and the need for continued collaboration, sharing of best practices, and resource mobilization to strengthen rehabilitation and AT services in Africa.

    The regional rehabilitation meeting held in Addis Ababa was a great opportunity for stakeholders involved in rehabilitation and assistive technology to exchange knowledge, network, and collaborate. The meeting outcomes will contribute significantly to the advancement of rehabilitation services and the integration of assistive technology throughout the African region.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

     

    SOURCE
    WHO Regional Office for Africa

  • World Health Organization (WHO) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) collaborate to reach targeted communities with health care services in Tanzania.

    World Health Organization (WHO) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) collaborate to reach targeted communities with health care services in Tanzania

    The health services provided included, cervical cancer screening for women, medical services, optometry services and pediatric services
    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, December 3, 2023/ — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Tanzania, undertook a health outreach programme in the Pwani Region to reach targeted communities with various health care services.

    Working closely with stakeholders including the district medical officers, community leaders and health promotion outlets, the health services provided included, cervical cancer screening for women, medical services, optometry services and pediatric services. The service reached over 300 people within 3 days in the Nkuranga Hospital.

    Speaking at the screening exercise, Dr Iriya Nemes Joseph, Programme Officer at WHO, noted the unwavering commitment and support of WHO in supporting the Government in achieving the universal health coverage agenda.

    “The health outreach programme comes at an opportune time and aligns significantly with WHO’s call for health for all,” noted Dr Iriya. “This partnership will help to address diseases to ultimately contribute to saving lives and livelihoods.”

    This health outreach programme forms part of an overall vision of ensuring universal health coverage for all in Tanzania. This constitutes people having access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship

    On his part, Dr Daedong Kim, Team lead from KOICA, expressed the pleasure of KOICA to partner with WHO and acknowledged the efforts of partners and Korean volunteers in supporting Tanzania’s public health priority.

    “This initiative will strengthen healthcare systems and empower the local communities,” he stated. “We are indeed happy to be serving the people of Tanzania and KOICA is committed to the health agenda on the country”.

    This pilot initiative is set to take place across the country targeting hard-to-reach areas in the country. The first section was also supported by Vision Care.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

     

    SOURCE
    WHO Regional Office for Africa

  • African Development Bank with other multinational development banks commits to boost collaboration on climate and development.

    African Development Bank with other multinational development banks commits to boost collaboration on climate and development

    The MDBs will collaborate to attract private capital at scale for countries, expand the scope of reporting climate results and impact, and help countries identify priorities and investment opportunities
    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 3, 2023/ — Multilateral development banks attending the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) today affirmed their commitment to a concerted, global action, including increasing co-financing and private sector engagement to address climate change, felt acutely in Africa.

    Despite contributing the least to global warming and having the lowest emissions, Africa faces existential risks due to catastrophic impact of climate change. Perennial droughts in the Horn of Africa and recent devastating floods in Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and other parts of the continent have claimed thousands of lives, destroyed infrastructure, washed away hundreds of hectares of food crops and threatened to push millions of people into extreme poverty.

    In a joint statement released in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the banks committed to collaborating on “socially inclusive, gender-responsive and nature positive climate and development actions,” leveraging their unique expertise and networks.

    Signatories to the statement include the African Development Bank Group, European Investment Bank, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Council of Europe Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Inter-American Development Bank Group, Islamic Development Bank, New Development Bank, and the World Bank Group.

    For impact, the MDBs will collaborate to attract private capital at scale for countries, expand the scope of reporting climate results and impact, and help countries identify priorities and investment opportunities.

    They also committed to support countries’ adaptation and disaster risk management efforts through the MDBs’ Early Warning for All initiative, which promotes accessible and inclusive early warning systems for all by 2027. MDBs will launch a Long-term Strategies Program to help countries and subnational entities to formulate long-term, low-emission development strategies and other long-term climate strategies.

    The banks also expressed support for various sectors including water, health and gender, committing to identify and expand financing for gender-responsive solutions for governments and businesses.

    According to a joint MDB report (https://apo-opa.co/414XDA4) launched in October, climate finance by Multilateral Development Banks for low-income and middle-income economies reached a new record of $60.7 billion in 2022, up 46 percent compared to 2019. About $38.0 billion, or 63% of the amount went into climate change mitigation finance, and $22.7 billion or 37%, supported climate change adaptation. Private finance stood at $16.9 billion.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

  • Conference of Parties (COP28): Global and African partners pledge $175m to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA).

    Conference of Parties (COP28): Global and African partners pledge $175m to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA)

    The landmark initial pledge will help to rapidly scale up financing for transformative climate-aligned infrastructure projects across the continent
    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 3, 2023/ — In a powerful signal of support during COP28, African and global institutions together with governments of Germany, France and Japan and philanthropies have pledged over $175 million to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA). The landmark initial pledge will help to rapidly scale up financing for transformative climate-aligned infrastructure projects across the continent.

    The new pledges will also advance AGIA towards its first close of $500 million of early-stage project preparation and development blended capital. The Alliance is a partnership of the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, Africa50 and other partners. It works to unlock up to $10 billion private capital for green infrastructure projects and to galvanise global action to accelerate Africa’s just and equitable transition to Net-Zero.

    Among the signatories of the memorandum of intent were representatives of the African Development Bank, Africa50, France, Germany, Japan, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Banque Ouest-Africaine de Développement (BOAD), Proparco and the Three Cairns Foundation.

    The Union of the Comoros President and Chairperson of the African Union Azali Assoumani, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat witnessed the signing ceremony.

    Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs Svenja Schulze, said, “Germany is very pleased to join the launch of the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa. We congratulate the African Development Bank on this important Africa-led initiative and want to highlight AGIA’s commitment to the 1.5°C target and its dedication to accelerate Net-Zero emissions in Africa.”

    She added, “Today marks an important step towards our shared goal of a just and equitable green transition in Africa. Supporting the commitment towards green infrastructure, we are planning to contribute up to €26 million to AGIA starting in 2024.”

    Tomoyoshi Yahagi, Japan’s Deputy Vice-Minister of Finance, said, “As part of the pledge made by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday, Japan will provide US$10 million to AGIA to support Africa in undergoing a just and equitable transition to Net-Zero and achieving the 1.5°C pathway. We encourage other donors to contribute to this important initiative.”

    Emmanuel Moulin, Director General of the French Treasury, said, “By addressing the gap in funding green infrastructure project preparation and development, AGIA will play an instrumental role in Africa’s transition to Net-Zero. Directing concessional resources to such an initiative is in line with France’s vision and solidarity policy for sustainable investment in Africa. This is why we have supported AGIA since inception and we are glad that the Summit on a New Global Financing Pact further raised momentum for the initiative. We are therefore delighted to announce a contribution of €20 million to AGIA and we hope that our contribution will catalyse more private and concessional resources.”

    African Development Bank Group President Dr Akinwumi Adesina said: “We need private sector financing at scale to tackle climate change and fill Africa’s huge infrastructure gap in a sustainable and climate-resilient manner. By working together and pooling our resources together through AGIA, we are committed to accelerating these efforts. The Bank Group plans to contribute up to $40 million, after approval from its Board of Directors.”

    Sidi Ould Tah, President of BADEA said, “We have pledged $40 million to support AGIA. We are glad to be part of this vital partnership, aiming at enabling transformational green infrastructure projects in Africa, and accelerating the continent’s transition to Net-Zero in a sustainable manner.”

    Alain Ebobissé, Africa50 CEO, said: “AGIA is set to become Africa’s largest fund focused on project development, which is a critical component to scale up the delivery of bankable green projects and help the continent achieve its climate goals. This initial fundraising round which includes strong African and international organisations is a great sign of investor confidence in AGIA. We are pleased to be part of this landmark initiative.”

    Serge Ekué, President of BOAD: “As part of our 2021–2025 Djoliba strategic plan, we have committed that about 25% of our new financing will be aimed at strengthening the resilience of our member countries to climate change. Our interest in AGIA reflects this ambition and will be in line with our strategic approach of mobilising increased climate resources in our region.”

    Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco said his company alongside the French government, “is proud to support AGIA, an initiative aiming to unlock Africa’s potential for green infrastructure by targeting one of its main constraints: the lack of existing bankable projects in this area. The innovative blended structure of the initiative will allow AGIA to mobilise and channel public and private resources towards project preparation and development, the riskier stages of any infrastructure project. In addition, With AGIA, we are one step closer to bridging the infrastructure gap in Africa and one-step further towards Net-Zero.”

    Mark Gallogly, cofounder of the Three Cairns Foundation, said, “We support AGIA’s mission to catalyse economic development and green infrastructure in Africa. More risk-tolerant, early-stage equity is essential to increase the number of clean energy and climate-related projects across the continent. We commend Africa50 for leading this initiative.”

    AGIA was launched a year ago at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, by the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank, and Africa50 and other partners.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
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