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DECLARATION BY THE PARLIAMENTARIANS TASKFORCE ON DOMESTIC RESOURCE MOBILIZATION FOR HEALTH IN AFRICA ON THE SIDELINES OF THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT

THE NAIROBI DECLARATION 2023

PREAMBLE

We, Parliamentarians from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal,

Zambia and Zimbabwe, gathered in Nairobi on 11th & 12th July 2023 at the sidelines of the

African Union Summit, to reflect and discuss health financing in Africa.

Cognizant of the need to formalize genuine collaboration between parliamentarians and Civil

Society, we propose for an effective advocacy program on sustainable domestic resource

mobilization for health in Africa, through a platform for exchanging information, sharing best

practices, strengthening political and synergies.

Our recommendations, resulted in the creation of the Parliamentarian Task Force on Domestic

Resource Mobilization for Health in Africa, with the objectives of engaging parliamentarians in

their respective countries on issues such as the mobilization of national resources for health;

strengthening of community health; universal health coverage; and addressing gaps in funding

for the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We, therefore, unite our voices in support of

this declaration:

CONTEXT

The African Union member states have subscribed to a solid normative legal framework on the

right to health; they have committed to its Agenda 2063, whose aim is to transform the potential

threat posed by the expected doubling of its young population by 2050, into a «demographic

dividend», bringing economic growth and higher living standards, and they also subscribed

to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to significantly increase the health

budget to ensure that everyone benefits from universal health coverage (UHC).

Heads of state and government have also made declarations and commitments on health

financing, notably at the 32nd Ordinary Conference of the African Union in Addis Ababa in

February 2019, during which they endorsed the deliberations of the African Leaders’ Meeting

(ALM) and adopted declarations in favor of mobilizing domestic resources for health financing

in Africa.

Notably, many African states are struggling to meet their commitments to mobilize domestic

resources, yet investing in health is investing in human capital, creating stable jobs, stimulating

economic growth and reducing inequalities.

While investments in community health programs are cost-effective, we note with concern the

lack of prioritisation and adequate budgets for the same. These investments contribute to the

reduction of health inequalities, ensuring access to basic services for vulnerable and marginalized

populations; they deliver high quality services and improve overall health outcomes and hence

need to be prioritised.

We acknowledge the support and collaboration of these partners.COMMITMENTS

We are committed to advocate for :

  • Domestic resource mobilization for health including push for the move from commitment

to action, co-financing of Global Fund and other development partners programs for HIV,

TB and Malaria, to build equitable and resilient health systems, focused on people centered

approach and integrated health services (addressing HIV, TB and Malaria and other health

issues based on people’s needs and disease burden);

  • Community Health system strengthening, including ensuring a recognized status for

Community Health Workers, financing of Community Health Strategy, support for community

led responses, and incorporation of community, rights and gender considerations in HIV, TB

and malaria programming;

  • Incorporating universal health coverage as a goal in national health policy frameworks,

strategically connected to broader inter-ministerial priorities such as emergency

preparedness, social stability, climate, economy and finance;

  • Bridging financial and implementation gaps of HIV, TB, Malaria, Health Systems Strengthening,

Pandemic Prevention Preparedness and Response and Community Health Systems in the

National Strategic Plans for the countries;

  • Establish a space for exchange and sharing of good practices among parliamentarians from

different regions of Africa;

  • Create synergies with civil society on Domestic Resource Mobilization for Health in Africa.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That African governments, in a multi-sectoral approach, work in concert with parliamentarians,

civil society and the private sector to implement sustainable strategies for mobilizing domestic

resources and for a significant increase in health budgets, given that a healthy nation is

indispensable to Africa’s socio-economic transformation, as envisaged in Agenda 2063.

African governments, with the aim of achieving universal health coverage by 2030, accelerate

the institutionalization of community health agents to ensure the sustainability of their actions.

This means formalizing their integration into health systems, professionalizing their training and

mobilizing the resources needed to pay them.

DECLARATION_MP_Nairobi_ENG

Nairobi, July 12, 2023

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The government has a responsibility to provide accessible and supportive drug rehabilitation and counselling facilities.

UHC Day Celebrations

DRUG abuse is now a humanitarian disaster that is inflicting harm to the young generation, perpetuating violence and poverty especially among the low-income and vulnerable communities, health stakeholders have said.

Speaking to NewsDay, Community Working Group on Health  executive director Itai Rusike, said there is need to focus on social support structures.

“We can only solve our current problems that have resulted in the surging drug abuse, overdose and deaths through a public health approach. The government should invest in proven services and care to address substance abuse and mental health needs,” he said.

Rusike said there is need to also invest in youth-friendly drug rehabilitation and counselling services instead of placing the burden of care on families who lack information and tools to respond to the scourge.

“Families should get greater support from government and other stakeholders to promote communication and to help those facing drug abuse challenges. We need to prioritise prevention of drug abuse and tackle the drivers of drug abuse.

“The root cause of drug abuse in Zimbabwe is lack of jobs and enterprise opportunities, recreation facilities and opportunities for young people to participate in decisions affecting their lives,” said Rusike.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said government would come up with tougher laws to deter drug dealers from preying on youths.

For Youths by Youths team leader, Wilbert Jena, said there was need to continue raising awareness against drug and substance use through different strategies including youth friendly strategies.

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CWGH Director Itai Rusike Joins High-Level National Dialogue on Health Financing , Switzerland

The CWGH Director, Mr. Itai Rusike, was invited to and attended a panel discussion on domestic health financing in Africa with the theme “Advancing Health Financing Reforms through Inclusive Dialogue: National Health Financing Dialogue in SADC Countries”. The event was attended by Ministers of Health, policymakers, development partners, and other CSOs. It took place on May 25th, 2023, in Switzerland.In his words he said “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to hold a productive dialogue meeting in partnership with the Parliament of Zimbabwe, civil society, and the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists. Our delegation from civil society included representatives from various constituent groups from across the country, as well as traditional leaders who serve as custodians of primary health at the community level, and community health workers who have a direct interface with the community. In Africa, community health workers play a crucial role as trusted team for health interests. The media was also invited to this meeting to help prioritize health stories and understand health financing processes. We have come together to issue a joint statement that we hope to present at the international dialogue. It is important for Zimbabwe to continue holding inclusive high-level national dialogues, and we look forward to further follow-up from Parliament and the media. Any support to push for this national level effort would be greatly appreciated.” Watch the video

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Experts give COVID-19 warning

Credit: Newsday By Vanessa Gonye and Lorraine Muromo | May. 4, 2023

HEALTH experts have urged COVID-19 caution ahead of schools opening next week and the approaching winter.

Speaking to NewsDay on Tuesday, chief coordinator of the COVID-19 taskforce in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Agnes Mahomva said COVID-19 was the new normal.

 

 

“We really urge citizens to take precautions seriously so as to ensure the country does not get into a crisis again,” Mahomva said.

“As we approach winter there is need to be extra careful and to religiously follow all preventive measures.”

Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara expressed hope that the situation this year would be similar to last year’s where there were not many casualties.

 

 

“However, there is always need for caution and continuous need for practising good hygiene as this not only protects us from COVID-19 but also protects us from other viral respiratory infections and other diarrhoeal conditions like typhoid and cholera,” he said.

Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said there was need to limit the further spread of COVID-19 in schools by having all eligible students vaccinated.

“The standard operating procedures related to the reopening of schools should be supported with adequate resources for the safe operation of schools in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic and cholera outbreak,” Rusike said.

“We hope that the government is taking all the essential practical measures for the protection, safety, health and well-being of children, staff and the wider school communities as the country is facing the double blow pandemic considering the rise of cholera cases amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

 

 

During Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, government said cumulative COVID-19 cases as at April 29, 2023 stood at 264 683, with 258 914 recoveries and 5 686 deaths. There were 83 active cases, and no deaths were recorded during the week under review. There were 15 new hospital admissions, compared to the 14 recorded the previous week, with five being in intensive care.