Health minister Aceng appointed on WHO Africa committee

The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, has been appointed second vice president of the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee for Africa. 

Aceng was appointed to the top WHO African health committee during the 72^nd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Lome, Togo, which started on August 22. 

The committee session, which was officially opened by the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, on August 22, will end on August 26. 

“Uganda was honoured to be appointed second Vice President, and I humbly assumed my seat, as one of the Chairpersons at the 72nd Session of the Regional Committee for Africa in Lome, Togo,” Aceng said. 

At Lome, the health minister said, Uganda is represented by the state minister for health, Anifa Kawooya, WHO epidemiologist, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, and commissioner, Dr Timothy Musila. 

The WHO African regional committee is responsible for formulating regional policies on health. 

At the Lome meeting, African health ministers and government representatives will discuss measures to lower the burden of diseases and endorse strategies to promote access to health services on the continent. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Lome conference, the director general of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “We are calling on all Member States to make an urgent paradigm shift towards promoting health and well-being and preventing disease by addressing its root causes and creating the conditions for health to thrive.” 

On the other hand, the WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, called for equity in allocation of health resources. 

“Equity is a key factor in health outcomes in Africa, and globally. Nothing has better demonstrated the urgency of addressing it comprehensively and effectively than this pandemic. Inequity is a key driver of vulnerability to disease and illness. I‘d like to urge that we collectively address it at the centre of our health action,” Moeti said during the top African meeting on health in Lome.