Healthcare in Africa summit to re-invigorate the debate on healthcare delivery challenges and reforms
Healthcare in Africa is rapidly changing as an emerging middle class, increasingly active private healthcare industry and shifting disease burdens transform the way healthcare on the continent is delivered.
On March 6th – 7th, Economist Conferences will host Healthcare in Africa, a progressive, collaborative debate on healthcare reform in Africa at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town.
The summit will gather 150 leaders from government, healthcare providers, suppliers, patient groups, donors and NGOs together to discuss and debate future approaches to funding, partnerships and access to healthcare in Africa. Themes explored at the conference will cover topical issues such as achieving the most effective balance between private and public healthcare in Africa; using technology to tackle the shortage of healthcare workers; and how best to ensure affordability in the private healthcare sector. Speakers will highlight lessons learnt from the frugal healthcare innovators in India and other emerging markets and provide insight into how investment in public health infrastructure can best be used.
“So much is changing for healthcare in Africa,” says Delia Meth-Cohn, Editorial Director CEMEA, The Economist Group and chair of the summit. “Governments are beginning to implement universal health schemes and new private sector players now see opportunities in healthcare across Africa.”
With stronger growth and a fast-growing middle class across much of Africa, demand for healthcare as well as the incidence of chronic disease are growing fast. “People are finally becoming aware of the growing burden of chronic disease, just as progress has been made in fighting the old killers. But a lot needs to come together to really improve healthcare outcomes. That’s what this conference is about – bringing all the players together to ensure resources are used in the best way possible.”
The conference will provide a forum for complex themes to be discussed, with a well-balanced agenda and room for different stakeholders to engage on ongoing reforms, potential models and options for action.
Prominent speakers at the conference include Tedros Adhanom, Minister of Health, Ethiopia; Rifat Atun, Director of Strategy, Performance and Evaluation Cluster, The Global Fund; Agnes Binagwaho, Minister of Health, Rwanda; Joseph M. Kasonde, Minister of Health, Zambia; Kgosi Letlape, President of the African Medical Association; and Derek Yach, Senior VP of Global Health and Agricultural Policy, Pepsi-Co.
“The biggest challenge in healthcare in Africa is separate systems for the ‘have’s’ (bureaucracy) and the ‘have not’s’ (ordinary people),” says Letlape. “We need to find ways to eliminate the separateness within our health systems.”
Healthcare in Africa will enable delegates to hear and question health ministers and policymakers, as well as healthcare experts from across the continent, as they outline their thinking and plans for the future.
“Further investment in health infrastructure will yield benefits in terms of coverage and access to quality health care,” says Luis Gomes Sambo, Regional Director, Africa, WHO. “However, improved partnerships are crucial to enhance synergies among health stakeholders and facilitate healthcare delivery. This conference is all about bringing players together to ensure resources are used to achieve the best healthcare outcomes for Africa.”
The summit is organised by Economist Conferences and sponsored by Janssen, Philips Healthcare, KPMG, Africa Health Placements, Discovery, BD and ENS.
For further information on the summit, visit www.economistconferences.com/africahealth
