36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly Side-event on Health Financing and HIV/AIDS underway

Addis Ababa February 17, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Commission, Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) organized a high level event on the sideline on the 36 ordinary session on the AU summit.

The High-level Event on Health Financing and Sustaining Actions to End AIDS and Related Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases according to AU is being held under the theme “End HIV/AIDS in Africa by 2030” at Multipurpose Hall, of the AU HQ in Addis Ababa.

The massive impacts of twin pandemics of COVID-19 and HIV-related diseases have highlighted what remains the largest threat to the Africa Union Agenda 2063 – Africa We Want.

In this regard the High level event aims in sustaining political commitments – requiring every African Head of State to commit to setting quantitative targets for HIV control (and tracking progress), developing a roadmap to strengthening health systems for pandemic prevention in their country, and reforming policies that prevent vulnerable populations from receiving treatment;

It also targets to secure new financial commitments – engaging international donors (bilateral, multilateral, philanthropies) to identify new pools of capital and fund existing pledges while setting a GDP target for national health spending on HIV-related diseases and pandemic preparedness;

The high level event further acknowledges the role of the African private sector and strengthen the public-private partnership – outlining major regional initiatives on health financing, health infrastructure, health manufacturing and by aligning national and international companies, investors, and governments to those areas to accelerate progress.

The event is expected to elevate community, young people and civil society voices – raising the profile of advocates, PLHIV, community organizations, faith leaders and the youth who have been champions for the HIV/AIDS response and social and behavioral change (SBC) in their country.

By: Yonathan Yoseph