The conference is being held under the theme: “Africa helping Africans in the Ebola Recovery and Reconstruction.”The two-day event brings together government officials, UN, regional agencies and private sectors to share experiences on lessons learned in the fight against Ebola.Special focus would be given to the commitment to assisting Ebola-affected countries, especially Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in their recovery and reconstruction efforts.
It is also expected to feature plans to prevent future public health-threatening outbreaks on the continent.Kaloko, further recalled that the uniqueness of the outbreak has highlighted the fragile health systems in the affected countries.
According to Kaloko, “It also highlighted the significant deficits in the human, financial and material resources needed for an effective and timely response to outbreaks.
“In addition to the death and illness caused by Ebola, there has been an upsurge in mortality and morbidity from other diseases and conditions.“This is linked to the collapse of health systems, which significantly erode local capacities in critical areas,” Kaloko saidHe stressed the need for health funding in most African countries which is currently below the required level to achieve a functional, basic health system and called for new initiatives to diversify funding resources.
