SOUTH AFRICA – Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla, welcomed his BRICS counterparts and their delegations to discuss increased collaboration to achieve Universal Health Coverage among member states.
South Africa hosted the 13th BRICS Health Ministers Meeting as part of the build-up activities for the historic Summit of BRICS nations scheduled to take place in South Africa from the 21st to 25th August 2023.
The meeting was held under the theme: “Bridging the Gap on Sustainable Health on the Road to Universal Health Coverage 2023”, which is a clarion call for BRICS member states to intensify their efforts to achieve equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Some of the critical issues to dominate the discussions in the meeting include Health System Strengthening, Financial Risk Protection to achieve UHC 2030, and collaboration amongst member states to strengthen Primary Health Care.
The event was attended by BRICS Health Ministers, Ambassadors/Embassy representatives of BRICS member states in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health, senior health officials, and World Health Organization Country Office in South Africa.
BRICS is a grouping of the world`s leading emerging market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa whose aim is to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation.
BRICS on disease surveillance especially the threat of COVID resurgence
The Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla told the BRICS leaders on Friday that they should not let their guard down on Covid-19, although it no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. He said the virus would still continue to cause havoc.
“This virus will still unfortunately continue to cause havoc in our population and in our economy,” he said.
The Health Minister also said they would have to make sure that they are tracking the virus because it will continue to evolve and pose a risk to societies.
Furthermore, he urged the leaders to mount all tools and the political will in place to ensure that future waves of Covid-19 do not result in more severe diseases and deaths.
Phaahla said the bloc partnership has a significant role to play in surveillance, preparedness, and developing health mechanisms to confront pandemics.
“Last month, the National Assembly passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill paving the way for universal health care, bringing it a step closer to being signed into law and being rolled out. This is one of the most revolutionary bills ever passed by the National Assembly since the dawn of our democracy in 1994,” he added told delegates.
Collaboration to sustain and fulfill Universal health coverage
In the recent past, the BRICS countries have committed to substantial health-system reforms designed to improve equity in service use, quality, and financial protection, with the ultimate goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
On his part, India’s Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, complimented South Africa’s initiatives for prioritizing the agenda of Universal Health Coverage.
Dr. Mandaviya also emphasized that South Africa’s BRICS initiative is aligned with India’s G20 priorities including health emergency management, medical countermeasures, and most specifically ‘Digital Health innovations and solutions which shall aid Universal Health Coverage and improve healthcare service delivery’.
Dr. Mandaviya said that India supported South Africa’s initiative to strengthen cooperation in the field of Integrated Early Warning systems as it shall enhance preparedness for future health crises.
“The collaboration shall play a pivotal role in designing effective interventions to contain the cross-border spread of infection while minimizing their impact on BRICS countries’ social and economic conditions, in accordance with International Health Regulations (2005)”, the Union Health Minister noted.
Dr. Mandaviya also reiterated India’s ongoing commitment to the BRICS TB Research Network Initiative, acknowledging the progress since its launch, and expressed that this shall strengthen our efforts in ending TB by 2030.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya urged BRICS nations to implement the outcomes of the meeting with a sense of urgency and commitment and thanked the Ministry of Health, South Africa for organizing the constructive engagement.
The delegates also visited the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital to learn how the hospital has managed to reduce patient waiting time, learn more about nuclear medicine & exchange information and knowledge.
The Hospital CEO, Dr. Linda. P Mtshali, took the BRICS delegates on a walkabout around the facility after the presentation which highlighted the clinical milestones achieved by the hospital.
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