Yamoussoukro, (Cote d'Ivoire), 1 September 2011 -- The growing public health movement in Africa got a boost on Wednesday 31 August with the launch of the African Federation of Public Health Associations (AFPHA) at the Felix Houphout-Boigny Foundation in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire.

The launch took place in the presence of African and other health leaders gathered in the Ivorian political capital for the Sixty-first session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa which opened at the same venue on Monday 29 August 2011.

Among the dignitaries in attendance at the launch were ministers of health from the WHO African Region, WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Sambo, as well as representatives of other United Nations Agencies, inter-governmental and Non Governmental Organizations and other partners.

Speaking at the launch of AFPHA, Dr Sambo said: "The launch of the African Federation of Public Health Associations provides a useful platform to harness complementary capabilities and resources for better public health outcomes in the region. It will facilitate exchange of information and experiences among national public health associations and promote intercountry cooperation".

The Regional Director called on governments, partners and communities to support national public health associations in their role to strengthen health systems and promote community-based health development which is a useful approach towards more effective implementation of the primary health care.

He also pledged WHO's commitment to work with AFPHA and other development partners towards improving the health and quality of life of the people of Africa.

In an address, the newly elected President of AFPHA, Dr Mathias Some, said that the Executive Board of the Federation would work with African ministries of health to improve national health systems and develop strategies based on public health principles.

He also told the gathering that one of the priorities of AFPHA would be to assist African countries to set up health observatories.

The keynote address at the launch was given by the President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), Prof. Ulrich Laaser, who outlined four challenges facing AFPHA:

• Building a better network and cooperative mechanism within the Federation and with other health organizations
• Organizing information-sharing and dialogue through conferences and systematic exchange of materials and journals
• Supporting ministries of heath in formulating and implementing policies that are relevant to Africa
• Linking African public health to global development.

Representatives of national public health associations from 27 countries who attended the inaugural meeting of the AFPHA, adopted a constitution and by-laws and elected the Federation's Executive Committee as follows: President - Dr Mathias Some (Cameroun), Vice-President - Dr Flavia Senkubuge (South Africa), and Secretary – Mr. Tewabech Beshaw (Ethiopia).

Five other committee members were elected from Algeria (Research and Development), Cameroon (Health Policies and programme), Cote d'Ivoire (Public Relations, Advocacy and Communication), Mozambique (Administration and Finance) and Uganda (Capacity Building).

The secretariat of the Federation will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

For more information, please contact:

MEDIA CONTACT:

Samuel Ajibola ; WHO / AFRO, P.O. Box 06 Brazzaville ;
Tel: +47 241 39378 (In Yamoussoukro - mobile 09301551)

Related links:

Sixty-first session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa