Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Casimir Vodjo
Published on 2024-04-17 15:56:03
Cotonou, the capital of Benin, is hosting the Muskoka French Fund Partners Conference on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. This high-level event aims to promote universal health coverage for all mothers, newborns, youth, and adolescents.
The official ceremony of the Muskoka French Fund Partners Conference took place at Azalai Hotel’s Béhanzin B Hall on Wednesday. Organized to strengthen health systems resilience, this conference brings together the Beninese Minister of Health, Benjamin Hounkpatin, representatives from West and Central African governments (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Chad), international organizations such as the United Nations, and financial partners including a high-level delegation from France.
During the opening ceremony, speakers acknowledged the progress made in maternal and child health while recognizing persistent challenges. Since 2010, efforts have been made to reduce maternal and child mortality by 23% and 25%, respectively. In addition, kangaroo mother care units have saved 99% of premature infants, demonstrating the positive impact of maternal and child health initiatives.
However, despite these advancements, obstacles remain, including limited access to quality healthcare services, restricted financial resources, and inadequate infrastructure. The global health crisis of Covid-19, ongoing conflicts, and increasing insecurity have exacerbated these challenges, severely affecting women, newborns, children, and adolescents in the region.
“At the halfway point of the Muskoka French Fund, our health systems are facing financing challenges and security crises, exacerbating the marginalization of certain groups. Despite the commitment of national governments, the contribution of partners is crucial. Strengthening service integration and focusing on prevention and early interventions are essential for effective universal health coverage,” said Benin’s Minister of Health, Professor Benjamin Hounkpatin.
Partners are called to invest more…
“Thanks to the support of the Muskoka French Fund, key health indicators in beneficiary countries have improved. However, acceleration is necessary to meet the 2030 sustainable development goals. WHO supports this initiative and calls on donors to continue their support,” said Dr. Jean-marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Resident Representative in Senegal.
Similarly, Mireille Kamitatu, Deputy Regional Director of UN Women, Fabrizia Falcione, Deputy Regional Director of UNFPA for West and Central Africa, UNFPA West and Central Africa, and Gordon Jonathan Lewis, Deputy Regional Director of UNICEF Africa, applauded “the progress made” while noting that “the road to achieving child health goals is long.”
They also called on “national governments and the international community to invest more in reproductive, neonatal, infant, maternal, and adolescent health, including nutrition.”
Analyzing specific issues and challenges…
Under the high patronage of Benin’s Minister of Health, the Muskoka French Fund, in collaboration with governments and international partners, supports the mobilization of necessary resources to build resilient health systems and ensure quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare services for all, without leaving anyone behind.
To achieve this, the conference’s objectives aim to analyze the specific issues and challenges of maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health, and nutrition in the region and support discussions on bridging financial gaps and strengthening health program coordination.
Expected outcomes include substantial political commitment from governments and international partners to support the construction of resilient health systems and work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This involves supporting collaborative mechanisms that promote multisectoral and integrated approaches, akin to the model developed by the Muskoka French Fund for over 12 years.
Read the original article(French) on Benin Web TV
