New Game Plan Against Epidemics and Access to Quality Healthcare Receive Attention in ECOWAS Countries
Summary
According to President Sirleaf, while countries recognize inadequate financing for drugs and facilities construction and lack of incentives for health workers as stumbling blocks in the pathway to achieving UHC.The Director-General of the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) Dr. Xavier Crespin thanked the President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the people of Liberia for agreeing to host the meeting.This development is without consequences saying that “It comes as attest to the gains already made in the fight diseases and is constant reminder that we must consecrate more efforts and resources to effectively put epidemics at bay.” Dr. Crespin briefed the gathering of the trends in health situation within the ECOWAS region where HIV/AIDS though on the decline still sees more than 5 million without access to essential medicines.Malaria and other non-communicable diseases are reported to be on the increase while in spite of progress recorded by many countries towards reducing maternal mortality; the current rates of reduction indicate that the region will not meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 4 & 5).Malaria and other non-communicable diseases are reported to be on the increase while in spite of progress recorded by many countries towards reducing maternal mortality; the current rates of reduction indicate that the region will not meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs 4 & 5).Concluding, Dr Crespin announced that for the year 2014, WAHO has chosen as its priority theme the Universal Health Coverage given the growing number of people who face enormous challenges in accessing quality health services across the West African region.Representing the President of the ECOWAS Commission, HE Kadre Desire Ouedraogo at the opening ceremony, The Commissioner for Gender & Social Affairs, Mrs. Fatoumata Sow recalled the ECOWAS 2020 Vision of moving from a community of States to a community of People.