Friendship
Friendship is the universal bond that links souls together. We share why friendships matter in this podcast.
Mental Health Services in the Workplace
The success of an organization depends critically on the mental health of its workforce in the fast-paced, high-pressure work settings of today. Employers are realizing more and more how important it is to help employees with workplace mental health services and address mental health issues. Employers and employees alike must comprehend how these services contribute to a productive workplace and increase employee satisfaction. A variety of tools and support systems are included in workplace mental health services, which aim to improve mental health and deal with mental health issues. Employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling services, training on mental health awareness, and access to mental health professionals are a few examples of these services. Employers show their dedication to promoting the overall health of their staff by providing these resources. One of the primary benefits of implementing mental health services in the workplace is the positive impact on employee productivity. An individual’s capacity to do their work well can be severely hampered by mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. Employers can assist staff members in managing mental health concerns and stop them from developing into more significant problems that could lead to absence or decreased productivity by giving timely access to mental health support. In addition, mental health services help foster an inclusive and encouraging work atmosphere where staff members feel appreciated and taken care of. Employee motivation, engagement, and commitment to their work are likely to increase when they are aware that their employer places a high priority on their mental health. Consequently, this nurtures a constructive company culture defined by respect, cooperation, and trust. Investments in mental health services at work also have the important side effect of lowering absenteeism. Workers frequently take time off work to deal with symptoms or seek treatment for mental health concerns, which are a major cause of absenteeism. Employers may assist employees in effectively managing their mental health concerns and lessen the need for prolonged absences by addressing mental health issues early on and offering easily available support services. Additionally, workplace mental health services are essential for de-stigmatizing mental illness and encouraging candid conversations about mental health concerns. Employers can foster a culture of acceptance and understanding where employees feel comfortable seeking help when required by educating staff members and increasing awareness of mental health issues. This helps break down societal obstacles related to mental health, in addition to benefiting individual employees. Incorporating mental health services into the workplace requires a holistic approach that considers the unique needs and challenges of employees. Employers can collaborate with mental health professionals to develop tailored programs and initiatives that address specific concerns within the organization. This may involve offering confidential counseling services, organizing mental health workshops and seminars, or providing access to digital mental health platforms for remote employees. Shades of Us Storytelling for African People aligns with the importance of mental health services in the workplace. By amplifying diverse voices and experiences, it acknowledges the unique challenges faced by individuals of African descent in navigating mental health issues within work environments. Promoting workplace well-being through accessible and culturally sensitive mental health support resonates with our commitment to holistic storytelling and community empowerment. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of mental health services for workplace wellbeing. Employers have to put their workers’ mental health first and foster conditions that encourage resilience and flourishing. Employers who invest in mental health services see increased productivity, lower absenteeism, and the development of a compassionate and empathic work environment.
Sanitation Superheroes
There exists a unique league of heroes we are going to call the ‘Sanitation Superheroes’. These extraordinary individuals don’t wear capes or possess superhuman strength, but they play a vital role in safeguarding our health, our communities, and our environment through their unwavering commitment to sanitation and cleanliness. The Sanitation Superheroes are the dedicated sanitation workers who toil tirelessly to ensure our waste is collected and disposed of safely. They are the janitors and custodians who keep our schools and workplaces clean and hygienic. They are the environmentalists and activists who fight against pollution and promote sustainable sanitation practices. These unsung heroes work quietly and diligently behind the scenes, making the world a healthier and more livable place. Sanitation Superheroes have diverse roles and responsibilities that revolve around the principles of cleanliness, hygiene, and waste management. Some of their key functions include: Waste Collection: Sanitation workers are the backbone of waste collection systems. They pick up trash from homes, streets, and businesses, preventing the spread of disease and maintaining the aesthetics of our neighborhoods. Cleaning and Disinfection: Janitors and custodians play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness of public spaces. They sanitize surfaces, and empty trash bins, and ensure that public areas are safe and hygienic. Environmental Stewardship: Environmental activists and organizations work tirelessly to protect natural water sources, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable sanitation practices. They advocate for clean rivers, oceans, and air. Education and Advocacy: Sanitation Superheroes often engage in community education and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the importance of proper sanitation. They teach people about waste reduction, recycling, and responsible water use. Emergency Response: During natural disasters and public health emergencies, sanitation workers are on the front lines, helping to maintain sanitation and prevent the outbreak of diseases. The work of Sanitation Superheroes is indispensable to our society and the environment for several reasons: Health and Hygiene: Proper sanitation practices are fundamental to public health. Sanitation workers and custodians prevent the spread of diseases by maintaining clean and safe environments. Environmental Protection: Environmental activists and organisations champion the cause of protecting natural resources. Their efforts help ensure clean water, air, and land for future generations. Community Well-being: Clean and well-maintained public spaces contribute to a sense of community pride and well-being. This positively affects the quality of life for all residents. Disaster Resilience: In times of crisis, sanitation workers are essential for maintaining order and preventing secondary disasters related to sanitation breakdowns. Sustainable Future: Advocates for sustainable sanitation practices help mitigate the environmental impact of waste and promote a more sustainable and eco-friendly future. Sanitation Superheroes may not have the glamour of traditional superheroes, but their contributions to society are immeasurable. They safeguard our health, protect our environment, and ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of our communities. Their dedication and selfless service are reminders that heroism comes in many forms, and sometimes, it’s the unsung heroes who make the greatest impact on our lives. We at Shades of Us urge everyone to recognize and celebrate the work of Sanitation Superheroes and strive to support their efforts in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable world for all.
Unclean
My eyes fly open courtesy of the sharp pain shooting through my lower abdomen and instant panic grips my heart. Please let it not be what I think it is. It is way too soon: I am not ready. “Do not be it. Do not be it. Do not be it.” I whisper to myself like the words can change anything. I look down to check my undercloth and instant relief floods my heart. It is not my menstrual period. Hopefully, this sharp pain in my stomach is just indigestion and not a sign that my period is about to start. Looking out of the window, I see it is getting bright outside. I should start getting ready for church. I love Sundays, not because of the going to church part but because I get to sleep in. Every other day, I have to wake up early to fetch water from the stream before the sun comes up, clean up the house, and go for lessons. Sundays are the exception because according to Mama, “it is the Lord’s day and we ought to rest just as God did”. I get up and stretch my hands as high as they can go, then roll up the sleeping mat and place it in the corner of the room where I usually keep it. Is that a new crack in the wall? Oh well, it is one more crack to go with the millions of cracks that make up this rickety house. As I walk out of my room, I notice how quiet everywhere is: Mama has already left for church. I would hear her moving about if she were home. I head to the kitchen so I can take out some water from the drum. The drum is big enough for a child to drown in if they get stuck in it. I know this from personal experience: I nearly drowned when I climbed into it when I was younger. I can still remember the sound beating Mama gave me after she rescued me. The beating had the desired effect because I did not go near the drum for years after that. I remember believing Mama hated me for the longest time after that. Those were the times I wished for my parents the most. My parents died in a ghastly car accident when I was an infant so I have lived with Mama, my father’s mother, all my life. I do not know anything about my parents or the accident that took their lives. Mama never talks about either no matter how many times I ask. She always says I do not need to know more because she is my mother and father now. Sometimes, I feel she is sweet for that. Other times, I feel she is selfish for hoarding information about my parents. I fill up the bucket beside the drum and take it to the back of the house where the toilet is located. The water is cool to the touch but I do not let that bother me as I quickly freshen up and head back to my room. Squatting in front of my small pile of clothes neatly folded at the corner beside my mat, I pick a dress at random to wear. Mama has mentioned a billion times that I should put more care into how I dress for service but I really do not care about impressing anyone with what I wear. I make quick work of dressing up, pick up my Bible, and head to church. I always take a leisurely stroll to church because I love the sight of nature – the slight wind blowing the tree leaves, the occasional scurry of small animals across the path, the sound of wildlife, and the view of the spectacular sunrise. I have watched it since I was a little girl, up until now that I am the full old age of sixteen. It is all so beautiful and it never gets old. I wish I could stay here forever. Unfortunately, there is church service. I do not like church. It is filled with the hateful and judgemental people of our community who gossip from the start of service till the end. I can never tell Mama this though… she will think I have been possessed by an evil spirit and take me to the pastor for special prayers. To be fair, it is not just the church I do not like. I do not like the entire community, their small-mindedness and nonsensical traditions make me so angry. I hear raised voices singing hymns from the church and sigh, I hate that too. The church is less than a five minutes walk from our house so I get there quickly. I take a moment to stare at the church building like I always do. I should be used to it by now but I am not. It amazes me that such a standard building exists in this community. It is tall enough to tower over every other building in its vicinity with its grey walls and ever-clean window panes. I wonder how much money was sunk into it, money that could have gone into improving the community. I snap out of staring, take a deep breath, and head to the church entrance with an ingenuine smile on my face. I am already dreading the long hours I will be stuck here for. I enter the church and walk to the back with my head down to avoid having to make eye contact with any of the gossips. Why are the doors at the side of the building and not at the back? I know I ask this question in my mind every Sunday because it annoys me every Sunday. I finally get to the back. I sit in the last row of seats and watch the spectacle that we call a Sunday service. It starts with Sunday school which is taken by one of
Lessons For African Youth: Embrace Cultural Diversity
By Adetayo Adetokun Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its journey. With the largest youth population globally, the potential for transformative change is boundless. These young Africans are the torchbearers of their nations, poised to steer the continent toward a brighter, more prosperous future. Yet, this path forward is laden with challenges, ranging from economic disparities and political complexities to environmental concerns and cultural shifts. To navigate these turbulent waters, every young African youth must be armed with a profound set of lessons that not only equip them with knowledge but also nurture their character. Lesson 1: Embrace Cultural Diversity From the bustling markets of Marrakech to the serene savannas of the Serengeti, Africa’s diversity is its hallmark. To the young African youth, the first lesson is to wholeheartedly embrace this richness. Diversity is not just a matter of demographics: it is a treasure trove of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Every culture contributes to the intricate fabric of African identity. Whether you hail from the Sahara or the Kalahari, the Nile or the Niger, your roots are intertwined with countless others. This diversity is a source of strength, resilience, and creativity. Diversity is not a threat but a source of enrichment. It is about appreciating the beauty of a continent where over 2,000 distinct languages are spoken, where rituals and ceremonies differ from village to village, and where cuisine can be as varied as the landscapes themselves. However, embracing cultural diversity is not merely a passive act of acceptance but an active engagement with the world around you. It means understanding the customs, traditions, and beliefs of your fellow Africans. It means listening to their stories, tasting their foods, and dancing to their rhythms. It means breaking down barriers and forging connections. This lesson lays the foundation for a more tolerant, inclusive, and harmonious society. Through embracing diversity, Africa can overcome historical divisions and conflicts, forging a united front to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Ripple Effects of Poverty: Child Marriage
Photo by Dick Scholten on Pexels by Grace Anaja Child marriage is a plague that affects millions of girls all around the world. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) describes child marriage as ‘any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child.’ In developing countries like Niger, Nigeria, and Central African Republic, 36% of girls are married before age 18, and 10% are married before age 15. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also states that marriage must be entered by individuals who are fully consenting and at full age. Child marriage is an outright violation of their rights, especially with girls: it prevents them from being educated and empowered, growing up with their peers, maturing in their own time, and ultimately choosing their own life partners when they want to. It hinders them from achieving their goals and potential. In most parts of the world, child marriage is mainly driven by poverty. Girls are said to be ‘expensive’ to raise. Parents from low-income and rural communities who do not understand the value of education and empowerment and still hold on to patriarchal beliefs do not regard girl child education. For some, an educated boy child is more valuable and worth their investment. Since they cannot afford school fees or materials in cases where free education is available, they marry the girls off as adolescents. To them, this reduces the number of ‘mouths to feed’. Out–of–school girls have a higher chance of becoming child brides. Marrying these girls to wealthy or comfortable men who, most of the time, are much, much older would mean less financial pressure on the family and an avenue for provision… a way out of lack. These girls have been turned to ‘Poverty Alleviation Projects’ for their families. Sometimes, the girls are indirectly forced to get married when their parents neglect them. They believe having a husband means they would be catered for and their needs would be met. Certain people believe that child marriage ensures a girl’s virginity and prevents promiscuity, unwanted pregnancies, and diseases. However, child marriage has many health risks for the girl child. These include sexually transmitted diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), cervical cancer, miscarriages, death during childbirth, premature birth of offspring, obstetric fistula – which, according to the World Health Organisation, is an abnormal opening between a woman’s genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum, and could lead to maternal mortality. It can be prevented by delaying the age of the first pregnancy. Child marriage is a form of gender-based violence that exposes young girls to various forms: physical, sexual, psychological, verbal, and socioeconomic violence. These child brides move from home after marriage and usually live in isolation, especially for those who move to a new location. The opportunity to grow, play, have friends, and build social skills is lost. Because the men that marry them are older, they have little to nothing in common and are only concerned about household responsibilities. They are thrust into wifely duties and motherhood so early that they barely know what they are doing. When they give birth, it is practically a child having a child. Due to their low level of education, they are concentrated in the service industries doing menial, nonessential and domestic work, with little possibility for a chance at more. It is said that if you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation. When young girls cannot pursue education, it limits women’s potential to contribute to national development. It denies them access to opportunities, resources, and mainstream governance: benefits and responsibilities. It sustains the already established patriarchal system that so desperately needs to end. Child marriage does not end the vicious cycle of poverty. It only strengthens it. If poverty was eradicated or reduced, would families and societies place more value on girls and women?
Killing Me Softly…With Your Words
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels by Grace Anaja Verbal abuse is one of the major forms of abuse that is less spoken about or addressed. It is pretty detrimental because it usually affects individuals emotionally and psychologically.Many people need help understanding how to communicate their feelings in words. They need to understand that what is said is usually less important than how it is said. You might not want to intentionally hurt another person, but when you do not adequately process what you want and the best way to say it, you just might. It is also possible that you were misunderstood and your intentions were not adequately communicated. Communication, however, only happens when the intent of the speaker is received as such and understood from the message (whatever that may be) by the listener. This applies to written communication as well. However, this cannot be compared to verbally abusing someone: a constant, deliberate, and intentional attack on another’s emotions. It could be belittling a person, their work or effort (whether privately or with an audience); ridicule and embarrassment; threats; saying terrible things about a person’s loved ones, background, or orientation; targeted statements at a person’s social status, color (even within the same race), beliefs, ethnicity, body type, or disability. Sexual harassment in the form of comments or inappropriate jokes, sexual objectification, etc., is seen as verbal abuse too. Verbal abuse could be done by anyone: a partner, friend, sibling, parent, classmate, leader, boss, or co-worker. Even words and statements we think might not mean much – ‘idiot,’ ‘stupid’, ‘mumu’, ‘you no get sense‘ – may have such an immense impact on people. Imagine a friend always putting down another friend, a partner telling the other ‘you are worthless’, or a teacher calling a pupil ‘olodo‘ and the other pupils joining in. There is this story – a true life experience – of a young boy of 12 who attempted to commit suicide in school by jumping off the rooftop and was saved by a teacher who was passing by. When asked why he tried to take his life, he said his mother told him repeatedly that he would never amount to anything in life, and he believed it. So he felt there was nothing to live for. Emotional blackmail can occur through verbal abuse, as oftentimes, blackmailers use words to manipulate the victims by blaming or threatening them to control their actions or behavior. Abusers can also prey on people’s kindness or sympathy. Let us not forget social media, where individuals barge into ‘DMs’ and storm people’s pages and handles with demeaning comments and insults in the name of ‘freedom of speech and expression’ and ‘I like to speak my mind’. Or clout-chasing individuals, websites, and blogs that spread lies and rumors about other people. Some of these expressions are offshoots of frustration, hurt, and pain that usually have nothing to do with the abused person. As is said, ‘hurt people… hurt people’. Many people today need to go through a healing process: emotionally and psychologically, and from past hurts, current some, come disappointments and challenges, and an uncertain future. There are those who come from dysfunctional families, friendships, and relationships. Many just need to better understand how to communicate, especially with heightened emotions of anger, pain, or frustration and learn to respond and not react. Some would want to form ‘jagaban‘, ‘hard guy‘, who claim they are not affected by these things, and those who truly are not as emotional as others. But words are words, and words are indeed powerful. They might not affect you immediately, but they definitely will, especially when that annoying little negative voice in your head comes around. So, love and appreciate yourself. You can only love others if you first love yourself. If you have been hurt in the past, start your healing process now and deal with it. Understand what communication really is. It is a skill. Learn it and learn emotional intelligence, so you properly handle your emotions. And, of course, if you do not have anything good or beneficial to say to someone, don’t say anything at all. This does not rule out constructive criticism: emphasis on constructive.
Cheating (vrb). Women (n).
Photo by Ogo on Pexels Men cheat. And yes, women also cheat. It is not strange, yet… people raise their brows when they hear that a woman cheated. It is even believed that women cheat more than men and that it is a well-kept secret. They just don’t want to accept it or talk about it. Society expects men to cheat. People claim it is ‘natural’ for men to want to explore. They have sexual urges that need to be quenched. But women are also sexual beings. They have desires and want to explore as well. People do not want to think about women as sexual beings or as being sexually active and having multiple partners. Relationship experts say the motivation for both genders differs. “Men desire more sex or attention while women desire to fill an emotional…emptiness”. Both men and women, however, are sexual and emotional beings and men also have emotional voids they try to fill differently. A friend once told me about a traditional belief from a particular tribe in North Central Nigeria. The idea was that any married woman who cheats on her husband would die. She claimed she had seen it happen. I asked what penalty befell a cheating husband, and she said none. I was dazed. I will not wholly cast off these beliefs as a Nigerian and African. But then I wonder…the spirit or spirits behind this belief must be quite biased – and wicked if you ask me – to punish only women and not men for adultery. I believe that certain traditional and cultural beliefs are created by men to relegate and subjugate women and keep them in check. Another incident is of a woman narrating her ordeal during an interview. Her husband suspected she was having extramarital affairs because he saw a man at her business center. He reported her to the elders in the community and, since he didn’t have any evidence, insisted that she eats a fowl uncooked with its blood and feathers, and if she didn’t die within a year, she was innocent. This is one of the many sacrilegious practices in Nigerian and African societies. I recently read an article about a ceremony in a village in Rivers State where young girls are given certificates of womanhood for being virgins. This involved being ‘checked’ by older women in the community. Virginity before marriage is expected of a woman, while it is considered a plus for a man. Sadly, many women proliferate this idea. There is this silly expectation that if a man wants to be with you, he has other women on the side, ‘side chicks’ as they are called, and you should be grateful that he picked you out of the lot. If men are okay to cheat, then people should accept cheating women. Cheating is unique to relationships and individuals, not genders. Individuals in relationships who consciously decide to be together should be committed to one another.
The Future of Health Conference: Investing in Nigeria’s Future
Group photo after the second-panel session at the Future of Health Conference in Abuja.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch by Adetayo Adetokun The Future of Health Conference is an annual conference hosted by Nigeria Health Watch. The conference aims to provide a visible platform for critical stakeholders in healthcare, finance, politics, and other allied sectors to discuss the factors that influence Nigeria’s health policies; how political, social, and economic factors shape individual and population health outcomes; health service development within the economic and political context; and how to create a national health service that meets the needs of all Nigerians. The 2022 theme was “The Political Economy of Health: Investing in Nigeria’s Future”. We attended the conference and shared crucial discussions about health and the investments in this sector that are required to improve the overall health, well-being, and productivity of Nigerians. We believe that healthcare is a human right, and everyone should have access to good healthcare and universal coverage. We also recognize the role good healthcare plays in the development of African communities. The government of every country has a huge role to play in ensuring that every citizen of their country has access to good healthcare. This conference allowed us to improve our knowledge of ways to reduce the number of deaths in the communities that are hardly reached with quality and sustainable healthcare. This conference also spotlighted one of the main issues we are committed to ending – maternal and pediatric health. In many communities, women and children are often at the bottom of the economic chain, and it is difficult for them to access the healthcare services they require. There were so many moments at the conference that resonated with our work and the actions we hoped to take. Welcome Address Vivianne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health WatchImage Credit: Nigeria Health Watch The welcome address was delivered by Vivianne Ihekweazu, the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch. In her address, she stated that the Future of Health conference was started to reinforce the importance of universal health coverage. She mentioned the importance of government and political leaders’ intervention in the healthcare ecosystem. She reminded citizens that we are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring our political leaders are held accountable for the availability of healthcare infrastructure and its proper management. Keynote Speech Professor Olumide Ayodele during his keynote speech.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch The keynote speech was delivered by Professor Olumide Ayodele on behalf of Ben Akawueze, the Managing Director of the Budget Office of the Federal Government of Nigeria. He spoke about the importance of monitoring the financial expenditure allocated to each government project. “It is not the amount of money that is being spent. But, its impact”, he said. He expounded on the importance of advocacy in the healthcare financing sector and why we need more people to look into how budgets are allocated and utilized. On healthcare financing, he emphasized that it is the responsibility of both government and sub-national entities to ensure that healthcare is financed, as the government can only finance some of the healthcare projects due to the low revenue generated. After this keynote session, there were three-panel sessions: The Economy of Health — the economic cost of poor health prioritization and the economic benefits of prioritizing health Politics and Health — charting a course of action to set Nigeria on course for achieving UHC. Political Leadership in Health — the impact of leadership on healthcare at the sub-national level. First-panel session: The Economy of Health — the economic cost of poor health prioritization and the economic benefits of prioritizing health. The first-panel session had Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, a Member of the European Commission-funded Eval-Health project fr. Sarah Alade, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on Finance and Economy; Dr. Onoriode Ezire, Se; or Health Specialist, at World Bank Nigeria; Dr. Ola Brown, Founder, Flying Doctors Incorporated; and Dr. Habib Sadauki, National President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nigeria. Dr. Ola Brown making her points during the first-panel session.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch Dr. Ola Brown spoke about why young people leave the country in their thousands. She said the lack of good healthcare infrastructure and viable opportunities, as well as the persistent insecurity in the country, were some of the reasons young people left the country. She believes that when healthcare problems in Nigeria are solved, all other problems will be easily solved. Dr. Sarah Alade making her points during the first-panel session.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch Dr. Sarah Alade pointed out that healthcare is a pillar for development in every country, and we cannot mention healthcare without considering sustainable development goals. She hopes the government and private entities will continue to donate to healthcare development in the coming years. Dr. Habib Sadauki sharing his thoughts during the first-panel session.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch Dr. Habib Sadauki articulated the importance of investing in family planning and women’s health in general. He said that the low rate of accessibility to family planning for Nigerian women has affected our economy greatly as many families continue to give birth to more children than they can cater for. “For every dollar invested in family planning, there is a return of three dollars.” This has been proven across many countries and regions. Dr. Onoriode Ezire sharing his thoughts during the first-panel session.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch Dr. Onoriode Ezire called the audience to reflect on the deplorable state of healthcare in Nigeria. He said the reason we have very terrible healthcare can easily be traced to the low Gross Domestic Product in Nigeria, which is one of the lowest in Africa. “Due to this low GDP, Nigeria has one of the highest mortality rates in Africa.” He emphasized that the best way to improve healthcare in Nigeria is to ensure that all hands are on deck. Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe sharing his thoughts during the first-panel session.Image Credit: Nigeria Health Watch Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe spoke about the importance of an immaculate system of governance where everything is plain and fair so citizens can adequately monitor the activities of the government and
Lessons from the 2022 World Health Summit
General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director, World Health Organization by Adetayo Adetokun We attended the World Health Summit from October 16 – 18, 2022, and had insightful takeaways, especially from the sessions curated for African healthcare and food systems. The World Health Summit (WHS) 2022, organized jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) for the first time, is considered the world’s leading meeting on global health. Held under the patronage of German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Senegal’s President Macky Sall, and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHS 2022 aimed to stimulate innovative solutions to health challenges, foster global health as a critical political issue and promote a global health conversation in the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The health systems in many communities in Africa are vastly inadequate today. Since the pandemic began, it has become increasingly obvious that our health systems have further disintegrated, with barely any systems in place to check this rot. The COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed the lives of nearly 80 million people worldwide, further showed how vulnerable our healthcare systems are. Our governments have yet to make the investments in our healthcare systems that would provide the requisite knowledge to improve or even manage the sector. As a result, millions of people who got the COVID-19 virus could not be saved, worsening the social contract between governments and their citizens. Almost all funds we received – whether for research, vaccination, or other health service delivery components – came from nations and organizations who have made these investments in their health systems and could afford to share their excess. We believe every neighbourhood, state, and nation across Africa should have effective and efficient healthcare systems. As more advocates begin to hold the government accountable, we are starting to witness a gradual transformation of the healthcare systems in Africa. At the summit, we attended two main sessions organized for Africa: The Road to 2023: Are we Achieving Universal Health Coverage? Transforming Food Systems for Healthy and Sustainable Diets Here are some of the excellent lessons we learned from these sessions. First Panel Session: The Road to 2023: Are we Achieving Universal Health Coverage? The speakers in this session included: Sandrine Bouttier-Stref, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Sanoli; Alison Cox, Policy and Advocacy Director, Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance; Gabriela Cuevas Barrón, Universal Healthcare Coverage 2030, Co-Chair of the Steering Committee; Loyce Pace, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs; Dr. Luis Pizarro, Executive Director at Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi); and Dr. Peter Kwame Yeboah, Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Ghana. In this session, we learned that global health, numerous collaborations between product development partnerships and the pharmaceutical industry multilateral partnerships have already demonstrated the important role in driving access to healthcare in multiple low- to middle-income countries and across the most affected vulnerable populations. While it is clear that partnerships can result in significant benefits, challenging questions remain open. It showed us a clear road map to foster robust and sustainable collaborations that must be urgently developed to close the access gap and put us on the path to a world where equal access to quality health care is ensured for everybody. According to Gabriella Cuevas Barron, it took a pandemic that claimed the lives of more than six million people to realize how shaky the global healthcare system was. Although it may seem challenging, achieving universal healthcare coverage would be much simpler if monies were properly financed and monitored as they were used to develop the healthcare system. To ensure that nobody is left behind, we must include women and girls in these decisions. Peter Kwame Yeboah discussed the situation in Ghana and how they dealt with the recent healthcare crisis. In the last few years, religious and humanitarian organizations have assumed control of healthcare to improve coverage. In contrast to government-owned hospitals, they are nonetheless marginalized and subjected to extremely high standards, making them unable to perform as they should. To stop this, they must make sure that these partnerships are restructured. These selective regulations have made it difficult for these hospitals to operate. According to Luis Pizarro, it is crucial for every nation to be aware of the number of neglected diseases it has, particularly those in Africa. It is clear that several diseases impact millions of individuals, but because they reside in underprivileged areas, little attention is paid to them, and no solutions are explored. Ideas are excellent, but they need great finance to take flight. Thus nations seeking to attain universal healthcare coverage by 2030 must start providing funds for outstanding ideas. In her address, Alison Cox stated that 80% of current fatalities are brought on by Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) and that this number might increase to 52 million in the upcoming year. Only 1% of individuals with NCDs have access to effective therapies. Since millions of people worldwide suffer from numerous chronic and lifelong diseases, most of which are chronic and lifelong, partnerships are crucial to addressing the NCD problem. We require funding from a variety of sources, including private organizations and individual donors to NCD funds. Regarding equity, she emphasized its significance. To eradicate NCDs, we must begin with the most disadvantaged populations. The significance of the pharmaceutical industry in assisting with the attainment of universal healthcare coverage was discussed by Sandrine Boutlier-Stref. The importance of understanding how these sectors contribute to making pharmaceuticals more accessible to people all around the world cannot be overstated. To reach a compromise where innovations are produced to address urgent problems, the government and the business sector must cooperate. Loyce Pace spoke on empowering healthcare professionals. Everyone who works in the healthcare industry needs to be given a chance to express themselves and complete their tasks in a calm setting that supports them. When we accomplish this, we’ll be able to gauge our readiness to meet the 2030 goal of universal healthcare coverage. Second Panel Session: Transforming Food Systems
