By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
The Vice-Chancellor, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has asserted that it appears that the knowledge, data and manpower to control diseases in Africa were not the problem, but that the political commitment may be lacking.
The Prof. of Parasitology and Public Health made the assertion in a paper he presented while giving his keynote address at the 46th Annual Scientific Conference of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN), held at the 750 capacity hall in DELSU, Abraka, on Wednesday, 5th October, 2022.
Egwunyenga, who stated that the theme of the conference “POLITICAL WILL TOWARDS DISEASE CONTROL-THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE” was very apt and timely, noted that Nigeria is in the season of transition with increased political activities ahead of the 2023 general elections in a few months time, that resolutions from the Conference may offer new initiatives for innovative action for disease control in Africa.
The VC of DELSU disclosed that in the inaugural lecture of DELSU he delivered in 2014 , that he bemoaned the fact that the burden of tropical diseases was heavy in Africa with far fewer resources, where mass poverty, high fertility rate, slow economic growth, deforestation, rapid urbanization and increased migration, wars and natural disasters were contributing to increased transmission and distribution of diseases.
He said “As we all know tropical parasites shorten lives, reduce the ability to work or attend school and impose a lifelong burden on Africa’s potential for development. The consequences of parasitic infections are very devastating in terms of human sickness and deaths, as well as agriculture and animal grazing. I termed these crippling and killing parasites, “The Monsters Inside Us ”.
“Heavy disease burden is the cause but also the result of poverty in Africa. Diseases cost the African Region $2.4 trillion a year and nearly 639 million years of healthy life were lost in 2015 (WHO,2019). In sub-Saharan Africa, an epidemiological transition in the last 20 years has seen the rise of non-communicable disease as the leading cause of death in many countries.”
Egwunyenga also disclosed in his position paper that the health challenge had been well recognised by African governments resulting in the Abuja Declaration in 2001 and other follow-ups which have been outlined. But responses has been mixed with most countries unable to meet the funding target of 15%. That in Nigeria, the average budget was about 4.7% in the past 20 years while the highest is Swaziland with 17%. Much of spending on health in Africa is still borne by households.
He said Governments in Africa were not making expenditure on health a priority. That most of the disease control programmes were funded by foreign donors and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Making his ten points recommendations, Egwunyenga charged African government to focus and prioritize health care and disease control by attracting more funding investments and new partnerships globally like was done during COVID-19 pandemic.
“There should be reduced spending on ineffective or inequitable public programmes such as fuel subsidies, National Assembly and unnecessary political appointments and increased allocations to health and social sectors.
“There should be more effective communication between health and disease control professionals and policy makers, with emphasis on feedback, improvement of health infrastructure.
“Governments in Africa must take responsibility and ‘own’ the Disease Control Programmes through improved direct funding and Budgetary Allocation. There is donors’ fatigue, and we need to mobilise more resources from within.
“There should be better collaboration among African Countries in diseases management. Coordination between the public and private sectors in rendering health services should be sustained.
“African governments need to incorporate technology through digital platforms for disease surveillance, monitoring, evaluation and programme implementation.
“Research and Development centres in the health care sectors should be better supported with resources to help professionals deal with tackling problems related to disease control.
“With over 490 million internet users in Africa, information is crucial. There is need for access to the right information regarding public health, prevention and control of diseases.
“The Leadership and Governance of the health sector is needed to gain the confidence of stakeholders. Professionals need to be in charge of government agencies involved in diseases management.
“Political leaders in Africa must confront increasing brain drain in the health sector. The adequate training, welfare and payment of health workers, along with providing incentives to retain health workers is very critical.
“The working environment and living conditions ultimately influence the performance and motivation of health professionals and academics to remain in Africa and tackle spread of diseases.” The VC recommended in his keynote lecture.