By Rebecca Ekpe
”Then when you look at the environment, you want to make sure that we protect, ……we protect our earth, we try to limit the carbon emissions, the greenhouse gas emissions, we try not to waste our water resources and all that.plus sustainability which is the overall well -being of our society that is my interest,” says Fatima- Zahra Lahlou, (PhD), a Post Doctoral Candidate from Qatar.
Just like Fatima, participants look forward to a deliberative session during the Conference, which is under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, in collaboration with the “African Global Health” Association.
The Second African Conference on Health Risk Reduction taking place from September 27th to 29th, 2023, in Marrakech, under the theme ” Health in Africa: Water, Environment and Food Security”.
Organisers say the event is a significant one because ”it sheds light on the current state of healthcare and food security systems in Africa”.
Morocco has the vision to establish an African framework based on the experiences of African nations and the insights of public health experts.
The Conference will focus on effective preventive measures to mitigate the effects of human, social, political and economic crises.
The ultimate goal, according to Organisers ”is to develop a common health policy to address emerging risks and crises on the Continent”.
Attendees are being provided an opportunity to assess the implementation of recommendations made during the 1st Health Risk Reduction Conference in 2022 and then lead to the formulation of new binding recommendations that will guide policymakers in crafting robust health policies and systems.
”The Conference will also highlight best practices in governance, financing and financial sustainability, with a focus on critical sectors that impact health risk reduction, food security improvement and the ecosystems preservation, all of which have a direct impact on public health and quality of life.”
The Second African Conference on Health Risk Reduction also aligns with the ongoing commitment of the King of Morocco to reform the national healthcare system and expand social protection for the people.
”The ultimate objective is to ensure equitable access to sustainable and high-quality healthcare services for all citizens.”
”This initiative is unfolding in a global context marked by worsening crises related to diseases, epidemics, climate change, water scarcity, and food security. These challenges directly affect healthcare systems and agricultural and logistical value chains worldwide.”
