News
Parliamentarians from across Africa are set to gather in Maseru, Lesotho, for the annual meeting of the Network of African Parliamentary Committees on Health (NEAPACOH). Scheduled for 28–29 February 2024, the 15th meeting aims to catalyse action towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and advancing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
The NEAPACOH meeting will centre on the theme “Towards ICPD 30 and achievement of universal health coverage: Imperatives for accelerated implementation and the role of parliamentarians”, with seven sub-themes covering key aspects of the health agenda. The sub-themes include accelerating access to sexual reproductive health information and services for adolescents, increasing domestic health financing, and integrating population, health, and environment for sustainable development.
The event will provide a platform for parliamentarians to exchange best practices, foster collaborations, and leverage technical expertise from various partners including the African Institute or Development Policy (AFIDEP). With their core functions of lawmaking, budgeting, and oversight, parliamentarians are key in driving multisectoral action and advocating for policy reforms that prioritise health and well-being.
By convening in Maseru, parliamentarians reaffirm their dedication to shaping a healthier, more prosperous future for all Africans. The 15th NEAPACOH meeting presents opportunities to further outline and initiate action towards achieving health equity and universal access to quality healthcare services.
27 February 2024
AFIDEP, as part of the Leaving no-one behInd: transforming Gendered pathways to Health for TB (LIGHT) consortium, is hosting a pre-meeting event, “Adopting a Gender-Responsive TB Programming to Ending TB in Africa and Beyond”.
Time: 9 a.m. – 1p.m.
Building Capacity for Integrated Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Population, Environment and Development Action project, led by AFIDEP, will host an event, “Integration of Population, Health, Environment and Development (PHED) within Regional, National and Subnational Policies, Programmes, and Platforms”
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
28 February 2024
Dr Eliya Zulu, AFIDEP’s Executive Director will deliver remarks at the opening ceremony.
Time: 9 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Clive Mutunga, AFIDEP’s BUILD Project Director will be a speaker on a panel discussion “Integrating Population, Health and Environment for Sustainable Development”.
Time: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
29 February 2024
Dr Jackson Otieno (Ph.D.), AFIDEP’s Senior Research and Policy Analyst and Director, Advance Domestic Health Financing (ADHF) project will deliver a keynote at the event’s fourth session, The 2019 African Leadership Meeting Declaration: Accelerating African Leadership for Increased Domestic financing for Health and Achievement of UHC. Based on results from the ADHF project, Dr Otieno will present on why there is a need to increase resources towards the health sector and ensure efficiency in the use of available resources.
Time: 9 a.m. – 9.30 a.m.
The annual NEAPACOH meeting is convened by the Partners in Population and Development – Africa Regional Office (PPD-ARO), in partnership with various stakeholders including the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP).