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Japan’s MOFA collaborates with TICAD-8 to discuss innovation in Africa’s healthcare

The panelists discussed the challenges of existing health care systems, infrastructure, including responses to illnesses such as malaria, COVID-19 and Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). (AFP)
The panelists discussed the challenges of existing health care systems, infrastructure, including responses to illnesses such as malaria, COVID-19 and Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). (AFP)
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24 Aug 2022 10:08:55 GMT9
24 Aug 2022 10:08:55 GMT9

Diana Farah

DUBAI: The eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-8) is hosting a series of side events in preparation for the two-day event.

On Aug. 24, UNDP Africa hosted a webinar titled “Partnerships for innovation, access and delivery,” in collaboration with the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT.)

The session was organized to discuss how innovation and technology can further develop the African continent’s healthcare system, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic affected the world over the last two years.

During the virtual event, Director of the Global Health Policy Division at MOFA Dr. Satoshi Ezoe said the government of Japan is prepared to assist African countries in strengthening health systems, advancing human security, and improving access to justice for African women.

Director of the UNDP Health Group Mandeep Dhaliwal moderated the session, which included panelists like Dr. Cheikh Diagne, head of operations at DIATROPIX, Dr. Osamu Kunii, CEO and Executive Director at the GHIT Fund, and Professor Margareth Gyapong, Director of the Institute of Health Research in Ghana.

The side event opened discussion on a range of issues such as financing, research and technology and manufacturing, which are all key factors in health security.

The panelists discussed the challenges of existing health care systems, infrastructure, including responses to illnesses such as malaria, COVID-19 and Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

They also talked about key areas that needed focus in order to increase regional and global collaboration in order to advance pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage in Africa.

Since 2013, the Government of Japan partnered with the UNDP to respond to critical gaps in affording health technologies to low- and middle-income countries. Through the GHIT Fund, and the Access and Delivery Partnership (ADP), GOJ and UNDP are addressing gaps within the health innovation, access and delivery continuum in LMICs, by stimulating R&D and strengthening health systems.

This partnership has enabled the work of some 200 partners from all over the world working to address critical health gaps. Japan’s Global Health Strategy (May 2022) and UNDP’s 2022 Special Report on Human Security both share a strong focus on building resilience of national health systems and prioritising equitable access to health towards universal health coverage. In addition, GOJ and UNDP acknowledge the need for a global architecture that will engender collaboration for health and human security.

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