By  SOLA OGUNDIPE

THIRTEEN years after the famous “Abuja Declaration”, African Heads of States and  and Government are  set to converge for the Abuja +12 Summit on HIV/AIDS TB and other Infectious Diseases which opens in Abuja, July 15-19, 2013.

With the theme  “Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future’’,  the Summit is principally aimed at taking stock of and reinforcing the commitments made  in 2000 by African Heads of States to reverse the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, who disclosed this in Abuja weekend,  regretted the enormous challenges of HIV, TB and Malaria  in Africa.

Anyim, who recalled that the African Union organised a Summit of its Heads of States and Government on Roll Back Malaria in 2000 and the Summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related Infectious Diseases in 2001, noted that at that meeting, African leaders pledged amongst other things to place the fight against the three disorderrs at the forefront and as the highest priority issue in their respective national development plans.

“A  target of allocating at least 15 percent of  annual budget was pledged towards improvement of the health sector. A follow up meeting was held in 2006 and these commitments were reaffirmed.

“Twelve years on, there is a need to take stock and assess the extent to which this commitment and targets have been achieved in order to chart a way forward.

“It is therefore important that all partners and stakeholders within and outside the health sector must come together to overcome the challenges and improve the health of our people,” the SGF remarked.

On the upcoming 2013 Summit, he stated: “We expect a high level decision on reinforced government response and action to deliver on the Abuja commitments to address HIV, TB and Malaria as well as strengthening the health systems of AU member states.”

Anyim said theme of the Summit was appropriate  given that HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa and continue to pose serious challenges to socio-economic development and human security in the continent.

“I have no doubt that this special Summit will go a long way to refocus attention not only the issues of HIV, TB and Malaria but also on the continuum of care along the life cycle.

“A continuum of care that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the socio economic factors in the life cycle, that goes from the home to hospital and work place empowering men, women and children for appropriate care and creating a healthy and strong Africa,” he stated.