The Future Health Care In The Global South: Focus On Sub Saharan Africa

Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network, Ministry of Health Kenya (MOH), Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and partners today held the biennial Forum at the KCB Leadership Center in Karen, Nairobi.

This year’s theme – “The Future of Health Care in the Global South with a Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa ” expounds on Primary Health Care

Primary health care is a whole-society approach and aims to attain the highest possible level and distribution of health and well-being by providing an accessible and wide range of services.

Many countries have a shortage of healthcare workers trained to deliver safe, effective, and people-centered care for everyone. Health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, worsen the situation as services are disrupted and health workers are redeployed. Strengthening primary health care means making services available closer to communities, acting to reduce the cost people face to access services, or providing more trained health workers.

The expansion of innovation and digital technology can be used by some countries to bring primary healthcare services closer.

All this requires greater investment in health systems, particularly primary health care services, to achieve better health outcomes.

The EPN Forum, held biannually, brings members together from all over the world and provides them an opportunity to fellowship, be inspired and network. Each Forum unpacks a pharmaceutical delivery topic with the aim of equipping members with expert information.

The event is also a call to members and stakeholders to participate and exchange experiences, challenges and threats in delivering pharmaceutical care and services with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda at organizational levels.

They can also learn on the most impactful policy and strengthen pharmaceutical systems, especially in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and finally develop and incorporate evidence-based practices for effective pharmaceutical services delivery for future healthcare.

It is against this background that members, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), Christian Health Associations and Drug Supply Organizations across Africa, the Ministry of Health Kenya and the Ministry of Health Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and international partners have come together in this event to discuss pertinent issues on the Future of Health care.