The Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030 is a comprehensive framework for improving the health outcomes of people in Africa. The strategy was developed by the African Union Commission (AUC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, and it provides a roadmap for addressing the health challenges faced by African countries over the next 15 years.

KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE AFRICA HEALTH STRATEGY 2016-2030

The strategy is based on the principles of equity, sustainability, and human rights, and it emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems, improve health governance, and prioritize investments in health. The strategy has six strategic objectives, which are as follows:

1. Strengthen health systems: This objective focuses on strengthening health systems in Africa by enhancing access to health services, improving health infrastructure, and strengthening health workforce capacity.
2. Address determinants of health: This objective focuses on addressing the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health in Africa. This includes promoting healthy lifestyles, addressing social and economic inequalities, and improving environmental health.
3. Improve health outcomes: This objective focuses on improving health outcomes for all Africans by reducing maternal and child mortality, improving access to essential medicines and technologies, and reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
4. Promote health research and innovation: This objective focuses on promoting health research and innovation in Africa by strengthening health research capacity, promoting innovation in health technologies, and promoting collaboration between researchers and other stakeholders.
5. Enhance health partnerships: This objective focuses on enhancing partnerships between African countries, regional and international organizations, and other stakeholders to promote health and sustainable development in Africa.
6. Strengthen health governance: This objective focuses on strengthening health governance in Africa by improving health policy and regulatory frameworks, promoting transparency and accountability, and strengthening health information systems.

POLICY ACTIONS REQUIRED FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE AFRICA HEALTH STRATEGY 2016-2030

To achieve these strategic objectives, the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030 outlines a number of key actions that need to be taken at national, regional, and continental levels. These include:

1. Strengthening health systems: To achieve this objective, the strategy calls for the development and implementation of national health plans, the strengthening of health workforce capacity, the improvement of health infrastructure and equipment, and the strengthening of health financing systems.
2. Addressing determinants of health: The strategy recommends that countries prioritize investments in social and economic development, promote healthy lifestyles, and improve environmental health through measures such as reducing air and water pollution.
3. Improving health outcomes: The strategy calls for the implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve maternal and child health, the promotion of universal health coverage, the scaling up of HIV, TB, and malaria interventions, and the strengthening of health systems to address non-communicable diseases.
4. Promoting health research and innovation: The strategy recommends that countries invest in health research and innovation, promote the development of health technologies, and strengthen collaboration between researchers and other stakeholders.
5. Enhancing health partnerships: The strategy calls for the strengthening of partnerships between African countries, regional and international organizations, and other stakeholders to promote health and sustainable development in Africa.
6. Strengthening health governance: The strategy recommends that countries strengthen health governance by improving health policy and regulatory frameworks, promoting transparency and accountability, and strengthening health information systems.

To support the implementation of the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030, the AUC and its partners have committed to providing technical and financial support to African countries. This includes providing technical assistance to develop national health plans, strengthening health systems, and building capacity in health research and innovation.

In conclusion, the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030 provides a comprehensive framework for improving the health outcomes of people in Africa. The strategy addresses the key challenges facing African health systems, and it outlines a range of actions that can be taken to improve health outcomes. The successful implementation of the strategy will require the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders, and it has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving the lives of people in Africa.

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Disclaimer

This is an adaptation of the original work of the African Union. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the Public Health Research Team of the Team of the Young African Policy Research Hub and are not endorsed by African Union.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH TEAM, YAPORH