Sierra Leone hosts ECOWAS health ministers’ summit on malaria elimination
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, has underscored the strategic importance of the Assembly as a platform for decisive regional action.
Mr Bio, who is Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, was represented by the Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh.
He spoke on Saturday during the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Health Ministers of ECOWAS.
The high-level session brought together ministers of health from member states, government leaders, technical and financial partners, and regional health experts.
The development was disclosed on the organisation’s social media handle on Saturday, noting a shared goal of advancing a coordinated response towards malaria elimination across West Africa.
The two-day meeting was organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone.
According to the organisers, the meeting is being held with the theme: “Advancing Malaria Elimination Through an Integrated Regional Strategy,” aimed at strengthening collective action against one of the region’s most pressing public health challenges.
Mr Bio emphasised that population health remains a key indicator of governments’ ability to deliver on their fundamental responsibilities.
He called for concrete, measurable outcomes and accelerated progress from malaria control to elimination through stronger, data-driven, and innovative health systems before formally declaring the session open.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Health of Sierra Leone and chairman of the occasion, Austin Demby, highlighted the region’s renewed political commitment to placing health at the centre of sustainable development.
He emphasised the urgency of intensifying malaria elimination efforts in the face of stalled global progress since 2015, declining external financing, and the growing effects of climate change on transmission dynamics.
Mr Demby called for increased domestic investment, innovation, and the transformation of health systems into more resilient and responsive platforms.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
School Abduction: Oyo Assembly backs Gov Makinde’s call for international investigation
The lawmaker cautioned the public and the Nigerian Senate against misinterpreting the purpose of the state governor’s call for an international investigation.
Politics
Tuggar group rejects Bauchi APC governorship candidate Mohammed Abubakar
He dismissed Mr Abubakar’s declaration as a governorship candidate, alleging that there were no governorship primaries in the state.
Hot news Home top
Oyarzabal, Porro score as Spain beat France to reach World Cup final
Spain will face the winner of the second semi-final match between England and Argentina on Sunday.
Economy
PenCom cuts pension approvals to 48 hours, recovers N36 billion arrears
She said the 48-hour approval timeline had become a mandatory service standard binding on all PFAs.
Heading 5
Freed Oyo pupils, teachers reunite with families
The pupils and teachers reunited with their families on Tuesday.
NationWide
DHQ engages military veterans on welfare, national service
He said the welfare of retired personnel remained one of the top priorities of the DHQ under the current leadership.
