Follow Us on Google
From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
A Pan-African policy advocacy think tank body, Speak Up Africa, has canvassed support for initiatives to strengthen health researches in the continent for innovation in healthcare services globally.
Deputy Executive Director, Speak Up Africa, Ms Fara Ndlaye, made this known during a virtual media dialogue with journalists across Africa on the African Voices of Science (AVoS), an initiative recently launched by the group to boost health research in the continent.
“With declining donor funding and Africa carrying 25 percent of the world’s disease burden but less than one percent of global health expenditure, there is a need for the continent to heavily invest in its own health sovereignty. African-led solutions must not only be voiced but also positioned to shape the future of our health systems; and that’s exactly what AVoS is doing,” Ndiaye, who is also a co-founder of the organisation, said.
She said calls for change in the situation and the need for Africa to have healthy sovereignty to tackle its challenges are also reinforced by policymakers at the highest levels across the African nations.
She explained that the official launch of the second edition of the African Voices of Science (AVoS), a continental initiative led by Speak Up Africa, last Thursday is aimed at strengthening Africa’s voice and role in global health research and development.
“AVoS is not just about amplifying African expertise, it is about ensuring that African innovations are recognised, resourced and scaled to meet the needs of our people and the world,” the organisation clarified in a statement from its Dakar office after the launch.
It said the initiative provides a unique opportunity to advance health sovereignty for Africa and future generations through promotion of research in health and innovations.
AVoS brings together leading scientists, researchers and policy advocates from across the continent to amplify African perspectives, influence policy and drive investment in African-led health solutions by elevating African, the organisation explained.
Over a dozen scientists, innovators and researchers drawn from various academic and research institutions in West, Central, Eastern and Southern African nations, have won the selection for the AVoS research.
