Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has stressed the importance of African leaders in developing an African health strategy that is proactive, resilient, and visionary.
He added that such strategy must be capable of addressing both current needs arising from past pandemic experiences and fortifying the continent against future global health security threats.
The governor gave the advice on Wednesday while speaking at the Opening of the 10th African Conference on One Health and Biosecurity, themed, “From Ebola to COVID-19 and Beyond: Strengthening Africa’s Capacity to Address Emerging Global Health Security Threats” held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Governor Sanwo-Olu added that as the continent look beyond the recent pandemic, African leaders, must prioritize strengthening National Health systems, invest in primary healthcare, surveillance and emergency preparedness.
He emphasized further that Africa must ensure that it improves her community engagement and empowering local leaders, promoting health literacy and combating misinformation.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that as Africa look forward, her dedication and commitment to health security must be unwavering. As such, he said, the state government is actively working on strengthening its biosecurity frameworks, enhancing disease surveillance systems and building a workforce that is prepared for the reality of a post COVID-19 world.
In addition, he said, the state is also committed to advancing local research, developing indigenous technology and supporting domestic production of vaccines and medical supplies, adding that his administration envisioned an Africa that is self reliant, resilient and a leader in global health.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commisser for health, Prof. Akin Abayomi emphasised the need for African countries to participate in the ongoing Synthetic Biology Research currently going on in around the world.
He noted that a country with a good multi-agency biosecurity system will protect the welfare of its citizens, its natural resources and its biodiversity from harmful effects of pests, diseases, toxins and technology”.
In his goodwill message, the former Ministerfor Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola urged African Governments and all relevant stakeholders to completely end open deification and urination to reduce the level of contamination in the environment.
Fashola noted that dissemination of adequate information and sensitization will have huge impact on the contagiousness of these pathogens in the course of physical movement.
Earlier in her Opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi called for stronger collaboration and the need to enhance the continent’s capacity to combat future outbreaks.
She added that “ there is the need to enhance surveillance and detection, building resilience healthcare system, promoting community engagement and global participation, leveraging on technology and addressing social economic challenges should be prioritized.”
In his welcome address, the Chief Operating Officer, Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium (GET), Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye stated that pandemics are not health issues but the environmental issues and it is therefore imperative that the people threat the environment with respect to prevent future outbreaks. Adding that when people respect their environment, the environment will respect back.
He noted that “the cost of preventing further pandemic over the next decade is to protect the wildlife and forest would equate to just 2 per cent of the estimated financial damage caused by COVID 19.”
