WHO seeks more synergy with traditional medical practitioners
Yamoussoukro: The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, called for more synergy with traditional medical practitioners to reduce the health challenges in most African countries.
Mr Luis Sambo, WHO Regional Director, said at the closing of the 61st session of the WHO African Regional meeting, that the daunting health challenges in the continent would need a stronger relationship between the modern and traditional practitioners.
“We have found and recognised the need for harmonising strategies with the traditional medical practitioners,” he said.
Sambo said WHO would put in place a framework that would ensure technical exchange and full participation of the different medical practitioners in the next regional meeting to be held in Luanda, Angola.
On the African Emergency Fund, he said African countries had been urged to make voluntary contributions of not less than 50,000 dollars so as to start the fund that would cater for disaster-stricken countries in the future.
“Much effort has been made to meet the goals of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but more needs to be done.
“The formation of exchange in respect of communication will no doubt stimulate countries after the regional meeting,” Sambo added.
He said that it was possible to eradicate polio in Africa, by exploring best practices and integrate local institutions in grassroots campaigns on the need for vaccinations.
The regional director said that the ongoing reforms in WHO would be “country focused and country driven” to ensure a more effective and responsive public institution.
He commended the launch of the Federation of Africa Public Health Association during the 61st session of the WHO Africa regional meeting.
On his part, Prof.Therese Yoman, the chairperson of the meeting and the Ivorian Minister of Health, said that countries and medical practitioners should explore the benefits of new technologies to improve health.
According to her, the MDGs are still realisable with better reforms, improved financing of the health sector and commitment to effective utilisation of the funds by institutions.
Yomansaid the current administration in Cote d’Ivoire instituted a free health campaign after the political crisis and had sustained it for months.
The 62nd Africa Regional meeting of WHO will hold in Luanda, Angola in 2012. (NAN)
