The Registrar, CEO, African Institute of Public Health Professionals (AIPHP) has said that the vision of reducing diseases in Africa is attainable and entwined in the sustainable development goals, ensuring a healthy life and providing well being for all.
Dr. Ayodele Bankole James also revealed that a healthier and resilient community cannot be achieved in the African continent without capacity building, an objective that makes for its commitment to “achieving our goals for the betterment of Africa, and human race”.
Dr. Bankole stated these at the institute’s colloquium and investiture program, held in Abuja on Tuesday, covered by Mediaage. The event also marked the induction of new fellows and the 58th birthday anniversary of the Registrar.
Dr Bankole also enumerated that the institute has collaborated with frontline international agencies, among which is World Health Organisation (WHO).
He said AIPHP’s drive to address issues of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) proves the commitment of Africans in attaining the universal health coverage objectives in Africa by the year 2030.
“This institute is focused on investing in health outcomes, particularly public health professionals in Africa”, Dr. Bankole stated.
He applauded participants at the event for showing resilience and doggedness exhibited by attending the Colloquium, in spite the economic downturn currently experienced globally.
“This is a real commitment to professionalism, as health professionals on one side, and indeed, humanity on the other side”, he added.
Guest Speaker at the investiture, while making a paper presentation, said universal health coverage is a fundamental principle aimed at ensuring access to health care for all individuals without financial hardship.
Rukayya Wamakko who is also the Acting Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board added that the UHC encompasses all component of the health system, from health promotion to disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. “It is also critical in achieving sustainable development goals in Africa”, she said.
The Sokoto State born master trainer on family planning, posited that advocacy, communication and social mobilisation remain key to improve primary healthcare delivery to communities.
Dr Aminu Zaro Sani from the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there are pockets of persons that don’t allow their wards at the community level to get access to vaccination. According to him, this could be caused by lack of awareness.
He also added that advocacy, sensitisation of communities must be made to ensure that they understand that the essence of giving out immunisation/vaccination is to build the health immunity. “The more a child is vaccinated, the more immune the child will be to diseases”, he said.
The African Institute of Public Health Professionals’ is a continental assembly of public health professionals, first registered in Ghana and also its presence in Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Ethiopia and Liberia.
The Institute is focused on training and is involved in training of African health professionals. One of such trainings was held with the World Health Organisation, funded by its African head office in Brazzaville, Dr Congo. It drew facilitators from different parts of the African continent.