South African Development Community (SADC) health ministers and private sector representatives are both waking up to the value of co-ordinating their responses at a first ever meeting of its kind.
SABC News reports that southern Africa has set a 2030 deadline to tackle its health triple threat malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis. With funding shortages and setbacks, it is running out of time. That is why this year’s SADC health minister’s conference is departing from the norm to formalise their partnerships.
SADC ministers and private sector representatives are both waking up to the value of their responses at their first ever meeting of its kind. "The businesses and the private sectors in our own countries is what we should be relying upon, rather than donors from outside the region," says Zimbabwe Health Minister David Parirenyatwa.
Absenteeism costs southern Africa up to R16bn a year. Chief Financial Officer of Discovery Health Brett Tromp says businesses will benefit from a healthier society.
Half the people living with HIV are in east and southern Africa where 64 % of the people are living with Aids and are on ARVs. "74% of pregnant women are on ARVs, we have reduced transmission to babies by 33%, in SA it is at 2%, "says UNAIDS regional director in east and southern Africa Sheila Tlou.
After making headway, SA has suffered a setback across its Mozambique and Swaziland border. "We had eliminated malaria by 8%, but there was a problem from the Mozambique side, but we are seeing an upsurge from the borders," says SA Health Minster Aaron Motsoaledi.
The International Organisation on Migration says high regional inter-country travel needs to be taken into account. "It is a key aspect. We need to reach migrant populations, like miners in order to improve the cross border initiative," says International Organisation on Migration health manager Eric Ventura.
At the end of the conference health ministers are expected to adopt a resolution to set up a formal working group with the private sector. It also wants to introduce health reporting in corporate financial reporting.
[link url="http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/e07faa8046f2658d8517d533436aa7f3/SADC-leaders-to-tackle-malaria,-HIVAids,-TB-at-health-conference-20151501"]Full SABC News report[/link]